Additional Advice
Counselling points
Lovima is available over the counter.
Desogestrel
You can provide the following advice to customers:
- Advise customers who have not previously taken hormonal contraception that they should start taking Lovima on day one of their natural cycle – this is the first day of menstrual bleeding
- If necessary, customers can start taking Lovima on days two to five of their cycle, but will need to also use a barrier method of contraception during the first seven days
- Customers should take one tablet at the same time each day. If a customer is more than 12 hours late taking a tablet, this counts as a missed pill and the customer should check the leaflet or speak to a pharmacist for advice
- If diarrhoea or vomiting occurs within three to four hours of taking a tablet, this should be treated as a missed pill
- Once the customer finishes a pack, they should start the next pack at the same time the following day. No gap should occur between packs unlike with some other contraceptives
- The first time a customer buys Lovima, they can only be sold a three month supply. However, you can sell up to 12 months for repeat supply.
Lovima® 75 microgram film-coated tablets (desogestrel) PL 42807/0002.
Indications: Oral contraception for women of childbearing age including adolescents. Posology: One tablet every day continuously; 24 hours between tablets. First tablet taken on the first day of menstrual bleeding. Contraindications: Active venous thromboembolic disorder. Presence or history of severe hepatic disease. Known or suspected sex-steroid sensitive malignancies. Undiagnosed vaginal bleeding. Hypersensitivity to any ingredients. Peanut or soya allergy. Precautions: Pregnancy should be excluded. Contains lactose. Not for patients with rare hereditary problems of galactose intolerance, the Lapp lactase deficiency, or glucose-galactose malabsorption. Caution in patients with: a history of breast cancer, diabetes, liver cancer or chloasma or depressed mood arising during use. Efficacy may be reduced with missed tablets, gastrointestinal disturbances, or concomitant medications. Stop if sustained hypertension not controlled. Side effects: Common (≥1/100 to <1/10) breast pain; depressed mood; mood altered; libido decreased; menstrual cycle irregularities; nausea; acne; weight increased; headache. Uncommon (≥1/1,000 to <1/100) vaginal infections; contact lens intolerance; vomiting; alopecia; dysmenorrhoea; ovarian cyst; fatigue. Rare (≥1/10,000 to <1/1,000) rash; urticaria; erythema nodosum. MA holder: Maxwellia Ltd, Alderley Park, Alderley Edge, SK10 4TG Classification: P. Price (ex. 5% VAT): 28 tablets £14.28 or 84 tablets £28.56. Date: July 2021.