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Synphase

SYNPHASE ®

Treatment options

Buy SYNPHASE ® safely, securely and easily in a few simple steps. Start a consultation today to check your eligibility with a prescribing clinician, at no cost to you.

Includes Free Private Prescription

This content is intended for UK audiences only

Navin Khosla NowPatientGreen tick
Updated on 26 Mar 2024
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What to do if you missed your SYNPHASE ® dose

The MHRA's reporting program for suspected side effects to medicines, vaccines, e-cigarettes, medical device incidents, defective or falsified (fake) products to the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency to ensure safe and effective use.

Learn more about reporting side effects

Other known brand names

Microgynon 30 ED, Levest, Rigevidon

About Synphase

Synphase is a combined hormonal contraceptive used to provide protection against pregnancy. It contains norethisterone, a progesterone and ethinylestradiol, an oestrogen as its active ingredients.

Synphase works by stopping the release of an egg each month from the ovaries, preventing ovulation during the menstrual cycle. It also makes cervical mucus thicker, making it more difficult for sperm to pass through the cervix, and makes the lining of the womb thinner, so fertilised eggs are less likely to implant in the uterus wall.

Now Patient offers the Synphase birth control pills for the prevention of pregnancy only, following an online consultation with a prescribing clinician.

Key facts of Synphase

  • For the prevention of pregnancy
  • There is no evidence that the Synphase pill causes weight gain
  • Synphase has some common side effects which include headache and migraine
  • It can be dangerous if you take Synphase with certain medications. If you’re not sure if it is safe, discuss this with the prescribing clinician
  • Synphase will not prevent the transmission of sexually transmitted infections (STIs)

Who is Synphase not suitable for?

Synphase may not be suitable for some people. To make sure it’s safe for you, speak to the prescribing clinician before taking Synphase if you:

  • Are allergic to the active ingredients norethisterone or ethinylestradiol, or inactive ingredients such as lactose, magnesium stearate, or maize starch
  • Have ever had a blood clot in the leg or lungs
  • Have a family history of heart attacks or stroke
  • Have ever had angina or transient ischaemic attack
  • Suffer from migraines with aura
  • Have a liver disease, liver tumours or any other liver problems
  • Have kidney disease
  • Have ever had breast cancer or cancer of the cervix, vagina or uterus
  • Have unexplained vaginal bleeding
  • Have suffered from jaundice, pemphigoid gestationis (a rash involving blisters of the hands and feet), or pruritus while pregnant
  • Have a family history of breast cancer
  • Have pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas)
  • Have diabetes
  • Have Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis
  • Have haemolytic uraemic syndrome, high blood cholesterol, or sickle cell anaemia
  • Have epilepsy
  • Have systemic lupus erythematosus

How and where to get Synphase?

Synphase is available with a prescription only. It is not available over the counter at a pharmacy.

Now Patient does not allow customers to buy Synphase directly. Our service is certified, safe and effective, and we only ever treat conditions. If you book a consultation with a prescribing clinician for a contraceptive, you can discuss if Synphase is a suitable treatment option for you.

At the end of the consultation, the clinician will decide if a treatment plan is suitable for you. If it is, the clinician will issue you with a prescription which can then be ordered, paid for and delivered directly to your chosen address by Now Patient.

Dosage and strength for Synphase for contraception

The Synphase blister pack contains 21 tablets:

  • 7 blue tablets containing 500 micrograms of norethisterone and 35 micrograms of ethinylestradiol
  • 9 white tablets containing 1 milligram of norethisterone and 35 micrograms of ethinylestradiol
  • 5 blue tablets containing 500 micrograms of norethisterone and 35 micrograms of ethinylestradiol

Information about how to take Synphase for contraception

Take 1 Synphase tablet each day, at the same time for 21 days. After 21 days, you will take a 7 day break from taking Synphase tablets. You should expect a withdrawal bleed during your pill-free week. Start a new pack of Synphase tablets on day 8. Take your first tablet in order of the day of the week and follow the directions printed on the pack. You will be protected from pregnancy if you start taking Synphase on the first day of your period.

If you forget to take a Synphase tablet, take the missed pill as soon as you are able to do so. You will need to use extra precautions such as a condom for the next 7 days. Also, read the patient information leaflet or speak to your healthcare provider if you need further medical advice.

What happens if you take too much Synphase?

If you take more than prescribed, then it can lead to some unpleasant side effects. You should talk to your doctor or reach out to one of our prescribing clinicians, if you have taken too much Synphase and you experience any of the following side effects.

What are the side effects of Synphase?

Side effects of Synphase are split into common and serious.

Common side effects include:

  • Breast tenderness
  • Breast pain
  • Weight changes
  • Breakthrough bleeding between periods
  • Mood changes
  • Headache and migraine
  • Nausea, vomiting or diarrhoea
  • Vaginal dryness
  • Vaginal thrush
  • High blood pressure
  • Hair loss

Serious side effects include:

  • Increased risk of blood clots
  • Cervical cancer
  • Deep vein thrombosis

If you experience any serious side effects, you should contact NHS 111.

If you experience a serious allergic reaction with the signs shown below you should contact emergency services on 999.

  • Your lips, mouth, throat or tongue suddenly become swollen
  • You’re breathing very fast or struggling to breathe (you may become very wheezy or feel like you’re choking or gasping for air)
  • Your throat feels tight or you’re struggling to swallow
  • Your skin, tongue or lips turn blue, grey or pale (if you have black or brown skin, this may be easier to see on the palms of your hands or soles of your feet)
  • You suddenly become very confused, drowsy or dizzy
  • Someone faints and cannot be woken up

Always report adverse effects to the MHRA yellow card reporting system. You can read more about this here How and where do I report side effects of my medication? – NowPatient

Information about taking Synphase at the same time as other medications or herbal supplements

There is not enough evidence to suggest there are any drug interactions between herbal supplements and Synphase. In any event, you should let your prescribing clinician know if you are taking any herbal supplements or other medications such as:

  • Epilepsy treatments – phenytoin or carbamazepine
  • Rifampicin
  • HIV medicines – ritonavir
  • Hepatitis C medicines – telaprevir or boceprevir
  • Antifungal medicines – ketoconazole or griseofulvin
  • St John’s Wort
  • Medicines for high blood pressure, chest pain or irregular heartbeats – diltiazem or verapamil

Why might Synphase not work for contraception?

Synphase may not work for you and common reasons may be:

  • Missed pills
  • Taking other medicines that interfere with Synphase
  • Synphase not being absorbed due to vomiting and diarrhoea

Can Synphase taken for contraception be taken long term?

Using medication like Synphase is safe, provided your doctor has approved it. You should speak to your doctor when deciding to stay on hormonal contraception long term.

Is there a herbal Synphase?

No. Herbal Synphase does not exist. If you have been marketed such a formulation, it may be fake.

Can women use Synphase?

Women can take Synphase for contraception, but it is not advised when breast-feeding. Speak to your doctor if you are considering taking Synphase while you are breast-feeding.

Should I avoid any particular food or drink when taking Synphase?

You can eat and drink normally when taking Synphase.

Alternatives to Synphase

Alternative methods of contraception include:

  • Implants
  • Intrauterine devices (IUDs)
  • Oral birth control pills (combined oral contraceptive pill and progestogen only pill)
  • Vaginal rings
  • Barrier method – condoms, diaphragms
  • Tubal ligation and vasectomy
  • Emergency contraception

Sources

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/contraception/which-method-suits-me/?tabname=methods-of-contraception

Medical Disclaimer

NowPatient has taken all reasonable steps to ensure that all material is factually accurate, complete, and current. However, the knowledge and experience of a qualified healthcare professional should always be sought after instead of using the information in this page. Before taking any drug, you should always speak to your doctor or another qualified healthcare provider.

The information provided here about medications is subject to change and is not meant to include all uses, precautions, warnings, directions, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or negative effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a particular medication does not imply that the medication or medication combination is appropriate for all patients or for all possible purposes.

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