Triquilar general information
What is Triquilar used for?
Triquilar is a low dose combined triphasic oral contraceptive pill and is used as an effective means of birth control to prevent unwanted pregnancy. Triquilar contraceptive pills contain two hormones combined at low doses in a single pill, with three different fixed dose combinations, designed to simulate the three phases normally seen during the menstrual cycle. Each pack of Triquilar contains one month’s supply of pills of which there are 21 hormone-containing pills, colour-coded to identify the different dose combinations for the three hormonal phases. You will then have 7 pill-free days to allow each monthly cycle to end with a withdrawal bleed. When using Triquilar for contraception, you will probably find that your periods become more regular and you may also experience lighter, less painful menstruation and an improvement in pre-menstrual symptoms, like bloating, swelling or weight gain related to fluid retention, also improvement in acne and reductions in greasiness of the skin and hair.
How does Triquilar work?
Triquilar contraceptive pills contain a combination of two hormones, ethinyloestradiol, a synthetic oestrogen, and levonorgestrel, a synthetic progestogen, which work together to protect against pregnancy. Preparation for pregnancy depends on a complex interaction between the female sex hormones produced by the ovaries; oestrogen, which stimulates ovulation, and progesterone which prepares the endometrium (lining of the uterus) for implantation of an embryo, as well as other regulating hormones, produced by the hypothalamus in the brain (gonaotrophin releasing hormones) and the pituitary gland (Follicle Stimulating Hormone or FSH and Leutenising Hormone or LH). Triquilar combined hormonal contraception works by disrupting the normal menstrual cycle, suppressing the release of gonadotrophins (FSH and LH), preventing egg maturation and suppressing ovulation, as well as preventing development of the endometrium, so that a fertilised egg would not be able to implant and grow. Another contraceptive action of Triquilar pills is that the cervical mucus, which normally changes consistency at ovulation to become thinner, remains thick, forming a physical barrier to sperm.
What does Triquilar contain?
Triquilar contraceptive pills contain the active ingredients ethinyloestradiol, a synthetic oestrogen, and levonorgestrel, a synthetic progestogen, which work together to protect against pregnancy. The two hormones are combined in the following concentrations:
- levonorgestrel 0.05 mg and ethinylestradiol 0.03 mg (6 light-brown tablets)
- levonorgestrel 0.075 mg and ethinylestradiol 0.04 mg (5 small white tablets)
- levonorgestrel 0.125 mg and ethinylestradiol 0.03 mg (10 ochre tablets)
All tablets in the pack also contain lactose monohydrate, maize starch, polyvidone 25 000, magnesium stearate, sucrose, polyvidone 700 000, macrogol 6000, calcium carbonate, talc, glycerol 85%, ferric oxide pigment yellow, ferric oxide pigment red, titanium dioxide, montanglycol wax.
Taking Triquilar as a contraceptive pill
Triquilar contraceptive pills contain a combination of two hormones, ethinyloestradiol, a synthetic oestrogen, and levonorgestrel, a synthetic progestogen, in three different dose combinations, designed to simulate the three phases of the menstrual cycle, and work together to provide effective birth control by protecting against pregnancy. Triquilar contraceptive pills work by preventing egg maturation and suppressing ovulation, as well as preventing development and thickening of the endometrium (lining of the uterus) in preparation for implantation, so that a fertilised egg would not be able to implant and grow. You must take your Triquilar contraceptive pills continually to ensure effective contraception, with 21 days of hormonal pills followed by 7 pill-free days, during which time you will have a menstrual bleed, which may be light and less painful than usual.
Can you get pregnant if you miss a Triquilar pill?
Triquilar contraceptive pills provide effective contraception when taken correctly and have a failure rate of approximately 1% per year. The failure rate may increase if you miss a pill and may result in an unwanted pregnancy. To prevent this ensure that you take your Triquilar contraceptive pills correctly and continually.
Triquilar for contraception
Triquilar contraceptive pills contain a combination of two hormones, ethinyloestradiol, a synthetic oestrogen, and levonorgestrel, a synthetic progestogen, in three different dose combinations, designed to simulate the three phases of the menstrual cycle, and work together to provide effective contraception. Triquilar contraceptive pills work by preventing egg maturation and suppressing ovulation, as well as preventing development and thickening of the endometrium (lining of the uterus) in preparation for implantation, so that a fertilised egg would not be able to implant and grow. You must take your Triquilar contraceptive pills continually to ensure effective contraception, with 21 days of hormonal pills followed by 7 pill-free days, during which time you will have a menstrual bleed, which may be light and less painful than usual.
What are the side effects of Triquilar?
The most frequently reported side effects when taking Triquilar contraceptive pills are: breast tenderness, breast pain, abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, changes in body weight, headache, and depression. Less common side effects include: migraine, fluid retention, skin rash, changes in libido.
When should Triquilar not be used?
You should not use Triquilar if you:
- are allergic to ethinyloestradiol or levonorgestrel or any of the ingredients in Triquilar contraceptive pills
- have a past or family history of carcinoma of the breast, endometrial carcinoma or liver disease
- have high blood pressure, lipid disorders, pancreatitis or migraine
- have had deep venous thrombosis, thromboembolic disorders, heart attack or stroke
- have diabetes with changes to the blood vessels
- abnormal genital bleeding of unknown cause
- are pregnant or planning to become pregnant
- are taking other medications that may interact with Triquilar, such as anticonvulsants like phenytoin and carbamazepin, barbiturates, anti-infectives like rifampicin, rifabutin, nevirapine, the antifungal griseofulvin, antibiotics like penicillin, preparations containing St John's Wort
What medicines interact with Triquilar ?
Some medications interact with Triquilar contraceptive pills and prevent them working effectively, increasing your risk of becoming pregnant. If you are taking any of the following you may need to take other contraceptive precautions:
- anticonvulsants like phenytoin and carbamazepin
- barbiturates
- anti-infectives like rifampicin, rifabutin, nevirapine, griseofulvin
- antibiotics like penicillin
- preparations containing St John's Wort
What are the health risks of Triquilar?
Combination contraceptive pills like Triquilar can increase risk of thrombosis (blood clots), which can have serious consequence depending on where the clot forms. There is also an increased risk of breast cancer. However, with low-dose oral contraceptives like Triquilar, there is reduced risk of endometrial cancer and ovarian cancer than higher-dosed combined oral contraceptives.
How should Triquilar be taken?
You should take one Triquilar tablet each day with a glass of water, at the same time each day. Each pack of Triquilar contraceptive pills contains 21 pills for a complete monthly cycle and should be taken continually in the correct sequence to ensure effective contraception, followed by 7 pill-free days, during which time you will have a menstrual bleed. When you have finished one pack, wait 7 days and then start a new one the next day. If you have gastrointestinal problems like vomiting or diarrhoea within 3-4 hours of taking your hormonal pill, this is the same as missing a pill and you should take other contraceptive precautions for the next 7 days.
How long should you take Triquilar?
Each pack of Triquilar contraceptive pills contains 21 pills for a complete monthly cycle and should be taken continually in the correct sequence, to ensure effective contraception, with 7 pill-free days between packs. You should take Triquilar contraceptive pills for as long as your doctor recommends.
Missed dose of Triquilar
If you miss a dose of Triquilar follow these guidelines to help you decide what to do:
- If you are less than 12 hours late in taking your pill, take it as soon as you remember and take the next one at your usual time, which may mean taking 2 tablets in one day. You are still protected against pregnancy.
- If you are more than 12 hours late in taking your pill, take the last tablet as soon as you remember and take the next one at your normal time, which may mean taking 2 tablets in one day. Contraceptive protection may be reduced and you are at risk of becoming pregnant, unless you take other contraceptive precautions for the next 7 days.
How should Triquilar be stored?
Keep your Triquilar contraceptive pills in their calendar pack until use. Store at room temperature below 25°C.