Lovima at Curely

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What is Lovima and what is it used for?
Lovima is an oral contraceptive pill that is taken daily to prevent pregnancy in women of childbearing age. It contains just a synthetic form of progesterone, called desogestrel and is, therefore, known as a progesterone-only pill (POP) or the “mini-pill”.
Lovima is a perfect contraceptive option for women who do not want to or are unable to tolerate contraceptive pills containing oestrogen, known as the combined oral contraceptive pill. Desogestrel gives women more flexibility, when taking the pill, providing effective protection against pregnancy even if taken up to 12 hours late.
Lovima has proven to be a very effective and safe medicine and therefore has become the first contraceptive pill, for adult women, to be available to buy through pharmacies without the need for a prescription from your GP.

Lovima contains soy and therefore is not suitable for anyone with soy or peanut allergies.
How does Lovima work?
Lovima contains 75 micrograms of the active ingredient, desogestrel which is 99% effective at preventing unplanned pregnancy by replicating how the female body’s natural sex hormone, progesterone works. Desogestrel both thickens the cervical mucus to prevent sperm from entering the uterus and for most women prevents ovulation altogether.

Attribute	Lovima
Type of medicine	Progesterone-Only Contraceptive
Active Ingredient	Desogestrel
Dosage Strength	75 micrograms
Pack Size	84 tablets
Effective within	Up to 7 days
Used for	Contraception
Suitable for	Women over 18 years
Generic	Yes
Alcohol interaction	No known issues

Lovima side effects
Like other medications, Lovima may cause some people to experience side effects. These normally improve after the first few months. Before you start using Lovima tablets, please ensure you are aware of all of the side effects listed in the Patient Information Leaflet.
If you experience severe side effects or an allergic reaction while taking Lovima you should get immediate medical advice from a doctor or your nearest emergency department.
If you are concerned about any side effects or you find they do not improve after the first few months or after you stop using Lovima you should speak to a doctor, pharmacist or nurse for advice.
The most common side effects of taking Lovima are:
o Irregular periods, spotting or no periods
o Mood changes - low mood, depression, anxiety
o Low libido or sex drive
o Headaches
o Nausea
o Acne and spots
o Breast pain and tenderness
o Weight gain
How to use Lovima
Before you start taking Lovima, please ensure that you have read and understood the directions in the Patient Information Leaflet, which are summarised below.
Lovima is for oral use only to prevent pregnancy. Lovima can be issued by our medical team at The Independent Pharmacy for women over the age of 18 years once a health questionnaire is completed. You do not need to have taken a contraceptive pill before to take Lovima.
o Take one Lovima tablet every day at a similar time, with a glass of water if needed, until the packet is empty.
o Start each new packet on the top row taking the tablet that correlates with the right day of the week printed on the pack over each tablet and follow the direction of the arrows.
o When you finish a pack, every 28 days, start a new packet the next day. Do not have a break.
You don’t need to wait a week to allow for bleeding as you may find you experience irregular bleeding outside your monthly period cycle or even no period bleeding at all. If you are worried about your bleeding pattern, speak to your pharmacist.
How to start (or switch to) Lovima
If you have not used any hormonal contraception in the past month:
o You should wait for your period to begin and take your first Lovima tablet on the first day of your period.
o You will not need to use any additional contraception such as a condom to prevent pregnancy.
o If you start Lovima anytime after day 1 of your period use barrier contraception for 7 days.
If you are switching from a combined pill, vaginal ring or transdermal patch:
o Take your first Lovima tablet, the day after your last active tablet, or the day your ring or patch is due to be changed.
o You will not need to use any additional contraception such as a condom to prevent pregnancy.
o If you have any break between stopping your previous contraception and starting Lovima you will need additional contraception for the next 7 days.
If you are changing from any other progestogen-only-pill:
o You can switch on any day and you will not need to use additional barrier contraception.
If you are changing from an injection or implant or hormonal IUS such as the coil:
o Start your first Lovima tablet the day your next injection is due or on the day that your implant or your IUS is removed. You will not need to use additional barrier contraception.
If you are using Lovima after having a baby:
o You can start taking Lovima anytime before your period starts.
o If you start taking Lovima tablets over 21 days after giving birth you must use additional contraception such as condoms, for the first 7 days.
What to do if you are late or miss a Lovima pill
If you are over 12 hours late taking your Lovima tablet, you vomit or have diarrhoea within 3-4 hours, this counts as a “missed pill”:
o You should take the “missed pill” as soon as you remember or as soon as you feel better and then continue to take your pills at the usual time the next day. You may need to take 2 on the same day.
o You should use a barrier method of contraception such as a condom for 7 days as you may not be protected from pregnancy.
If you are less than 12 hours late taking your Lovima tablet:
o Take the late pill as soon as you remember and take the next tablet at the usual time.
o You will still be protected from pregnancy.
Patient Information Leaflet: https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/files/pil.12736.pdf

Frequently asked questions

What is Lovima, and how does it work as contraception?
Lovima is a progesterone-only contraceptive pill containing desogestrel. It works by thickening cervical mucus, preventing sperm from reaching an egg, and for most women, prevents ovulation altogether.
Who is Lovima suitable for?
Lovima is suitable for women who cannot or prefer not to use contraceptives containing estrogen. It's particularly ideal for those with estrogen-related side effects or breastfeeding mothers.
What are the common side effects of Lovima?
Common side effects may include irregular periods, mood changes, low libido, headaches, nausea, acne, breast tenderness, and weight gain. These symptoms typically improve over time.
How do I take Lovima correctly?
Take one Lovima tablet daily at the same time without any breaks. If a tablet is missed, follow the instructions provided, and use additional contraception if necessary.
Can I start Lovima at any time?
If not using hormonal contraception, start Lovima on the first day of your period. If switching from another method, follow the specific guidelines provided in the leaflet or consult a healthcare professional.
What should I do if I miss a Lovima pill?
If a pill is missed by over 12 hours or due to vomiting/diarrhea, take it as soon as remembered, and use additional contraception for seven days. If less than 12 hours late, take the missed pill immediately and continue as usual.
Where can I find more information about Lovima?
Detailed information about Lovima, including usage instructions and potential side effects, can be found in the Patient Information Leaflet provided with the medication or on trusted medical websites such as the NHS.