Combined Oral Contraceptive Pill Flashcards
1
Q
what are the potential harms that a patient needs counselled on before starting COCP?
A
- small risk of blood clots
- very small risk of heart attacks and strokes
- incrased risk of breast cancer and cervical cancer
2
Q
how effective is the COCP?
A
> 99% effective if taken correctly
3
Q
what are the rules of additional contraception when starting COCP?
A
- started within the first 5 days of the cycle = no additional contraception
- started at any other point = alternative contraception for the first 7 days
4
Q
what advice should be given to someone starting the COCP?
A
- taken at the same time every day
- taken for 21 days and then stopped for 7 days (no medical benefit)
- intercourse during the pill-free period is only safe if the next pack is started on time
5
Q
what situations can reduce the efficacy of the COCP?
A
- vomiting within 2 hours of taking COCP
- medications that induce diarrhoea or vomiting
- if taking liver enzyme-inducing drugs
6
Q
what are ‘tailored regimes’ of the COCP?
A
- never having a pill-free interval
- ‘tricycling’ = taking three 21 day packs back-to-back before having a 4 or 7 day break
7
Q
what are the guidance of concurrent antibiotic use will taking COCP?
A
- may interfere with the enterohepatic circulation of oestrogen
- advise precaution for the duration of antibiotic treatment and for 7 days afterwards
8
Q
what medications can interfere with COCP?
A
- liver ezyme-inducing drugs
- enzyme-inducing antibiotics - e.g. rifampicin
9
Q
is the combined hormonal contraceptive harmful to a developing fetus?
A
no
