What is Feanolla?
Feanolla is an oestrogen-free birth control pill that uses desogestrel (a synthetic form of the hormone progestin) to prevent pregnancy. Progestin based pills are commonly called ‘mini pills’ or POP - progestin-only pills.
Desogestrel is regarded as a ‘third generation’ progestin and has been used in oral contraceptives in Europe since the 1980s.
Feanolla is usually suitable for women who have difficulty taking the hormone oestrogen or who wish to use oral contraception while breastfeeding. If you are approaching the menopause, you may be prescribed Feanolla as a healthier alternative to a combination pill that also contains oestrogen. Feanolla also carries a reduced risk of thrombosis, compared to combination pills.
How to take Feanolla
Feanolla contraceptive pills are designed for daily use. They are supplied in strips of 28 tablets, the backing for each pill is marked with a day of the week. Take each pill on its appropriate day at approximately the same time e.g. first thing in the morning. As soon as you have finished a strip of 28 pills, begin the next cycle of tablets on the following day.
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Important
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Who can use Feanolla?
Feanolla is generally a safe form of contraception for women over the age of 18 and can be continued all the way to menopause (usually after the age of 45) when fertility naturally ceases.
Feanolla is suitable for breastfeeding mothers and can be taken as little as 21 days after giving birth. If you are oestrogen intolerant, or suffer from difficult menstruation, a mini pill like Feanolla may be a better option than various combination pills that are currently available.
When you complete your confidential medical questionnaire, our online GP will immediately review your health profile and check whether Feanolla is the right medication for your needs. If it is not suitable and we cannot approve your order, you may be recommended a different form of contraception.
Please read the Side Effects section for full information about whether Feanolla is suitable for you.
What is the dosage of Feanolla?
Each Feanolla pill contains a dosage of 75 micrograms of Desogestrel, a synthetic version of the female hormone progestin. Unlike combination pills, Feanolla does not contain oestrogen. Similar mini or POP pills include Zelleta, Cerazette and Cerelle
Feanolla’s 75 microgram dosage of Desogestrel is generally considered to be a low dosage that is likely to produce fewer and milder side effects in most women.
Progestin-only pills were first used in 1968 and remain popular with women worldwide. If you suffer from sickle cell disease, you may be prescribed Feanolla or a similar pill due to their decreased clotting risk.
What if I forget to take my Feanolla pill?
Feanolla contains a low dose of its active hormone desogestrel. The hormone is processed by the body fairly quickly, requiring stricter adherence to dosage timings.
If you forget to take a daily tablet at the usual time, take it as soon as you remember and then take the next tablet at its scheduled time.
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Important If you are more than 12 hours late in taking a tablet, you should read the manufacturer’s pamphlet for advice. The pamphlet is included with your tablets. If you forget to take one or more pills you may be at risk of pregnancy. |
What are the side effects of Feanolla?
Because Feanolla tablets deliver a low dosage of a single hormone (75 micrograms of Desogestrel) the potential side effects are generally mild. 90% of women who use the pill correctly, will not experience any noticeable side effects.
Nonetheless, you should be aware of possible adverse reactions before you begin your treatment.
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Can I use Feanolla if I smoke? Generally, it is not recommended to smoke and take the contraceptive pill. However, mini pills, pose less of a risk to your health risk than combined pills and doctors are usually willing to consider prescribing Feanolla to women who smoke (including women over the age of 35). When you complete your online health questionnaire, it is important to give accurate information about your smoking habit. |
Possible common side effects
Most patients do not experience any side effects when using Feanolla, but the following common side effects may occur in a small minority of users:
- mood changes or depression
- decreased libido
- headache
- nausea
- acne
- breast pain
- irregular or no periods
- weight gain.
Possible adverse reactions
Approximately 1 in every 1,000 women may experience significant adverse reactions to Feanolla. These may include:
- Skin Conditions (rash, hives, or painful lumps)
- Breast secretions or leakage
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Important Your prescription will come with a patient leaflet giving detailed information about the medication, its ingredients, possible side effects and contraindications. Please read this leaflet carefully before you begin taking your tablets. |
If you experience serious discomfort we recommend that you go straight to your nearest casualty department. In an emergency dial 999.
When not to take Feanolla
Do not take Feanolla if you:
- Are allergic to desogestrel
- Suffer from a thrombosis
- Have jaundice or any severe liver problem
- Unexplained vaginal bleeding
Certain prescription medications or severe medical conditions may prevent you from using Feanolla safely. When you fill in your online medical questionnaire be sure to mention any health issues. Our GP will immediately review your answers to make sure that Feanolla is a safe and healthy choice. Your prescription will then be processed for free next day delivery by UPS courier.
| If you have any questions about birth control pills, contraceptive rings, or contraceptive patches you can login to your DoktorABC account and begin a free confidential chat with an online GP. |
Leaflet info
The Patient Information Leaflet (PIL) is the leaflet included in the pack with a medicine. It is written for patients and gives information about taking or using a medicine. It is possible that the leaflet in your medicine pack may differ from the PDF-version from this website because it may have been updated since your medicine was packaged or the medicine is from another brand.