Maexeni Contraceptive Pill

About Maexeni Contraceptive Pill

Maexeni is a combined oral contraceptive pill used to prevent pregnancy. It contains two active ingredients: ethinylestradiol (30 micrograms) and levonorgestrel (150 micrograms), which are synthetic versions of the female hormones oestrogen and progesterone. When taken correctly, Maexeni is over 99% effective at preventing conception by inhibiting ovulation and altering the environment of the womb. Maexeni is suitable for women of childbearing age who have been prescribed this specific hormonal balance. It is typically supplied in strips of 21 tablets, designed for a three-week cycle followed by a seven-day break.

What Is Maexeni Used For?

Maexeni is primarily used as a reliable method of hormonal contraception. It works in three ways:

• Prevents Ovulation: It stops the ovaries from releasing an egg each month.
• Thickens Cervical Mucus: This makes it difficult for sperm to enter the womb.
• Thins the Womb Lining: This prevents a fertilised egg from being able to implant and grow.

Who Is Maexeni Suitable For?

Maexeni is suitable for most healthy women who require a combined oral contraceptive. Do not take Maexeni if you:

• Have (or have ever had) a blood clot in a blood vessel of the legs (DVT) or lungs (PE).
• Have a disorder affecting blood clotting (e.g., protein C deficiency).
• Have ever had a heart attack, stroke, or angina pectoris.
• Suffer from migraines with aura.
• Have severe diabetes with blood vessel damage.
• Have very high blood pressure or very high fat levels in the blood.
• Have ever had breast cancer or severe liver disease.

Speak to a healthcare professional before use if you:

• Smoke or are overweight.
• Have Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis.
• Have systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).
• Have recently given birth (increased risk of blood clots).

How to Take Maexeni

1. Take one tablet every day at approximately the same time, with water if needed.
2. Follow the direction of the arrows on the strip until all 21 tablets are finished.
3. During the 7-day break, you do not take any pills. A “withdrawal bleed” (similar to a period) usually starts 2-3 days after the last pill.
4. Start your next pack exactly on the 8th day, regardless of whether your bleeding has stopped.

If you miss a pill or are more than 12 hours late, protection may be reduced. Consult the Patient Information Leaflet for specific “missed pill” instructions based on which week of the pack you are in.

Possible Side Effects of Maexeni

Like all medicines, Maexeni can cause side effects, although not everyone gets them. Common side effects (may affect up to 1 in 10 women):

• Nausea or abdominal pain
• Weight gain
• Headaches or depressive moods
• Breast soreness or tenderness

Serious but rare side effects include blood clots in a vein or artery. Seek immediate medical attention if you notice signs of a clot, such as painful swelling in a leg, sudden chest pain, or difficulty breathing.

Warnings and Precautions

• Blood Clot Risk: Using a combined pill like Maexeni increases the risk of developing a blood clot compared to not using one.
• Cancer: Breast cancer has been observed slightly more often in women using the pill, though it is not certain if the pill causes this.
• STIs: Maexeni does not protect against HIV (AIDS) or any other sexually transmitted infections. Only condoms can do this.

Storage Instructions

• Store below 25°C in the original packaging to protect from light.
• Keep out of the sight and reach of children.
• Do not use after the expiry date shown on the carton and blister.

Important Information

• Regularly check your breasts for changes such as dimpling or lumps.
• Inform your doctor if you are having blood tests, as the pill can affect certain results.
• If you vomit or have severe diarrhoea within 3-4 hours of taking a tablet, the active ingredients may not be fully absorbed.