Eloine contains two ingredients which are synthetic versions of natural hormones found in the human body- ethinylestradiol (an oestrogen) and Drospirenone (a progesterone)- therefore it is classed as a combined hormonal contraceptive. It is around 99% effective at preventing pregnancy when used correctly. Eloine contains an oestrogen and the progesterone with anti-androgen properties- these both help to lower sebum (grease) levels on the skin and prevent the skin pores from clogging up and forming spots. We can prescribe this medication to women between the ages of 16-50. There are certain risk and benefits attached to using any form of contraception and there are various forms of contraception available including combine oral contraception (COC), progesterone only contraception (POP) and Long-Acting Reversible Contraception (LARC) such as injections and implants. What is right for the patient will depend on various factors including your age, weight, personal medical history, family history and lifestyle such as smoking- this will all be covered in the questionnaire consultation. nnYasmin, Lucette, Yacella and Yiznell are other branded pills that have the same two ingredients as Eloine (ethinylestradiol and drospirenone)- although Eloine has slightly less oestrogen in it which may decrease certain risks such as VTE (blood clots). It is also important to note that drospirenone is a 4th generation progestin so it may have relatively slightly higher risks of blood clots then other COC pills such as those containing other types of progestins such as levonorgestrel e.g. Levest and Rigevidon. This can all be quite confusing- if you would prefer to discuss this medication and these risks in more detail then please book in for a friendly telephone or video consultations with one of our dermatology pharmacists.nnBesides the advantages for the skin and acne, it is important to consider the general advantages and disadvantages of the combined pill such as Eloine.nnAdvantages of the combined pill include:nn• Periods may be lighter, less painful and more regularn• There may be a reduction of Pre-menstrual tension (PMS) symptoms such as mood swings, bloating and headaches.n• There may be a reduction in risk of certain cancers (ovarian, uterine, colorectal)nnDisadvantages and Risks of the combined pill include:nn• A small relative increase in the risk of breast cancer, cervical cancer, blood clots such as DVT, heart attacks and strokesn• Risk of side effects including breast tenderness, nausea, headaches (these normally settle after 3-6 months of use)n• If you miss a pill or have severe vomiting or diarrhoea, then it may not work and it is advised to seek medical advice and consider using emergency hormonal contraception (morning-after pill) if you have had unprotected sexual intercourse and do not want to fall pregnant.n• You may not be suitable to have the combined pill if you are in certain high -risk categories e.g. if you are over 35 years old and smoke, or overweight (BMI>35), or have a family history of breast cancern• There are some drug interactions that can render the pill less effective- including some antiepileptics, antivirals, antibiotics and herbal medications such as St John’s wort- it is important to check these interactions with a pharmacist or doctor before taking Eloine.nnEffectivenessnnWith perfect use i.e., if taken every day at the same time of day- Eloine is around 99% effective. In other words, it means that if 100 people take Eloine for 1 year then we would expect 1 person to get pregnant. Of course, it can be difficult to maintain perfect use due to occasionally forgetting to take it, therefore the average effectiveness in most people who take it is around 91%.nnFor further information and advice on the risks, benefits, alternatives or common questions related to Eloine and other combined contraceptive pills please read:nn• The Product Summary (https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/product/1122/smpc#gref)n• The NHS website (https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/contraception/combined-contraceptive-pill/)n• You can also book in for a friendly telephone or video consultation with one of our dermatology pharmacist prescribers to discuss in more detail.n""}' style=""font-size:10pt;font-family:Arial;font-style:normal;"">Eloine contains two ingredients which are synthetic versions of natural hormones found in the human body- ethinylestradiol (an oestrogen) and Drospirenone (a progesterone)- therefore it is classed as a combined hormonal contraceptive. It is around 99% effective at preventing pregnancy when used correctly. Eloine contains an oestrogen and the progesterone with anti-androgen properties- these both help to lower sebum (grease) levels on the skin and prevent the skin pores from clogging up and forming spots. We can prescribe this medication to women between the ages of 16-50. There are certain risk and benefits attached to using any form of contraception and there are various forms of contraception available including combine oral contraception (COC), progesterone only contraception (POP) and Long-Acting Reversible Contraception (LARC) such as injections and implants. What is right for the patient will depend on various factors including your age, weight, personal medical history, family history and lifestyle such as smoking- this will all be covered in the questionnaire consultation.
Yasmin, Lucette, Yacella and Yiznell are other branded pills that have the same two ingredients as Eloine (ethinylestradiol and drospirenone)- although Eloine has slightly less oestrogen in it which may decrease certain risks such as VTE (blood clots). It is also important to note that drospirenone is a 4th generation progestin so it may have relatively slightly higher risks of blood clots then other COC pills such as those containing other types of progestins such as levonorgestrel e.g. Levest and Rigevidon. This can all be quite confusing- if you would prefer to discuss this medication and these risks in more detail then please book in for a friendly telephone or video consultations with one of our dermatology pharmacists.
Besides the advantages for the skin and acne, it is important to consider the general advantages and disadvantages of the combined pill such as Eloine.
Advantages of the combined pill include:
• Periods may be lighter, less painful and more regular
• There may be a reduction of Pre-menstrual tension (PMS) symptoms such as mood swings, bloating and headaches.
• There may be a reduction in risk of certain cancers (ovarian, uterine, colorectal)
Disadvantages and Risks of the combined pill include:
• A small relative increase in the risk of breast cancer, cervical cancer, blood clots such as DVT, heart attacks and strokes
• Risk of side effects including breast tenderness, nausea, headaches (these normally settle after 3-6 months of use)
• If you miss a pill or have severe vomiting or diarrhoea, then it may not work and it is advised to seek medical advice and consider using emergency hormonal contraception (morning-after pill) if you have had unprotected sexual intercourse and do not want to fall pregnant.
• You may not be suitable to have the combined pill if you are in certain high -risk categories e.g. if you are over 35 years old and smoke, or overweight (BMI>35), or have a family history of breast cancer
• There are some drug interactions that can render the pill less effective- including some antiepileptics, antivirals, antibiotics and herbal medications such as St John’s wort- it is important to check these interactions with a pharmacist or doctor before taking Eloine.
Effectiveness
With perfect use i.e., if taken every day at the same time of day- Eloine is around 99% effective. In other words, it means that if 100 people take Eloine for 1 year then we would expect 1 person to get pregnant. Of course, it can be difficult to maintain perfect use due to occasionally forgetting to take it, therefore the average effectiveness in most people who take it is around 91%.
For further information and advice on the risks, benefits, alternatives or common questions related to Eloine and other combined contraceptive pills please read:
• The Product Summary
• The NHS website
