TriRegol - 63 Tablets (3-month course)

Contraception Doctor Service

TriRegol is a combined oral contraceptive, one of a group of drugs often referred to as "the Pill". The Pill provides a reliable, reversible method of contraception.

TriRegol contains two types of hormone: an oestrogen, ethinylestradiol, and a progestogen, levonorgestrel. It is a triphasic contraceptive. This means that there are three levels of hormones in each pack which reflect the changing levels in your normal menstrual cycle.

The COC pill protects you against getting pregnant in three ways: 

• Stop the ovary from releasing an egg each month
• Alter the lining of the womb to make it less likely to accept a fertilised egg
• They also thicken the mucus at the neck of the womb making it more difficult for the sperm to reach the egg

TriRegol is a 21-day pill – you take one each day for 21 days, followed by 7 days when you take no pills. This combined contraceptive pill can be prescribed for females who experience painful or irregular menstruation in order to ease the pain and regulate the period. 

You can order TriRegol tablets from our UK registered online pharmacy and doctor service. To see if you are suitable for this treatment, complete the online assessment and checkout. Our UK registered doctors will review the order and after approval pass the prescription to the Pharmacy team. We will then dispense and dispatch your order to your chosen address.

The benefits of taking the Pill include:

• it is one of the most reliable reversible methods of contraception if used correctly
• it doesn’t interrupt sex
• it usually makes your periods regular, lighter and less painful
• it may help with premenstrual symptoms.

A good self care guide and information for contraceptives is available on the NHS website.

NHS - Contraception

TriRegol tablets like other hormonal contraceptives, do not protect against HIV infection (AIDS) or any other sexually transmitted disease.

What is TriRegol?

TriRegol is a combined oral contraceptive pill, used by millions of women all over the world.

What is in TriRegol?

TriRegol contains two synthetic hormones, oestrogen and progesterone.

How does TriRegol work?

TriRegol works by tricking the body into thinking an egg has been released, by keeping hormone levels high. This prevents an egg being released into the ovaries each month. The hormones also work by thickening the mucus lining of the womb, making it more difficult for sperm to pass through.

How long after taking TriRegol are you protected?

If you started taking TriRegol on days 1-5 of your period, you will be protected immediately in your next cycle. If you started taking Synphase after day 5, you should use additional contraception measures for SEVEN DAYS, until TriRegol will offer protection against pregnancy.

What are the side effects of the Contraceptive Pill? 

While side effects are usually uncommon and mild in nature, it is best to be aware of any that may occur. Some of the most common side effects include mood swings, headaches nausea, breast tenderness. For a full list of side effects and more information, you can read the Patient Information Leaflet of the medication.

What are the Advantages of the Combined Oral Contraceptive?

• Can reduce the risk of some cancers
• Can improve acne symptoms 
• Can reduce menopausal symptoms

What are the disadvantages of the Combined Oral Contraceptive?

• Can cause headaches, breast tenderness and mood changes
• Can increase blood pressure
• Can experience breakthrough bleeding

What are the advantages of Progesterone only contraceptives?

• Reduced likelihood of side effects associated with combined pill
• Can be used during breastfeeding
• Can help with premenstrual symptoms

What are the disadvantages of Progesterone only contraceptives?

• Can cause irregular periods
• Can cause periods to be more frequent, or stop altogether
• Must be taken at the same time each day

Which pill is right for me?

Prescribers will take a thorough medical history before choosing the right contraceptive pill for you. For most people, the combined contraceptive pill works best. For those who are over 35, smoke, suffer from migraine or have other risk factors your doctor will look into, the Progesterone-only pill may be more suitable.

Am I protected straight away?

Some pills, if taken correctly, will provide protection immediately, while others take time to provide contraceptive cover. Refer to your Patient Information Leaflet to find out when you are protected on your pill.

Do I still need to use a condom?

Although you will be covered against pregnancy with the pill, it is always advised to use a condom. This is to reduce the risk of sexually transmitted diseases such as chlamydia and gonorrhoea.

I forgot to take my pill – what should I do?

You should always take your pill around the same time each day to ensure maximum contraceptive cover. Different pills vary in the amount of time you can delay your dose. Always refer to your prescribed medication’s Patient Information Leaflet to find more detailed information relating to missed doses.

Like all medicines, TriRegol can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them.

Tell your doctor or call an ambulance immediately if you experience any of the following symptoms of an allergic reaction after taking this medicine. Although they are rare, the symptoms can be severe and you may need urgent medical attention or hospitalisation.

• Sudden wheezing, difficulty in breathing, chest pain, fever, sudden swellings, rash or itching (especially affecting the whole body).

Other side effects - Women who use the pill have reported the side effects listed below.

Very common side effects (occurring in more than 1 out of 10 women):

• tender breasts.

Common side effects (occurring in between 1 and 10 out of 100 women):

• depressive moods
• headaches
• feeling or being sick
• gallstone disease
• skin disorders such as acne, brown patches on the face and body like those that occur in pregnancy
• irregular bleeding or missed bleeds, bleeding or spotting between your periods
• increase in body weight.

Uncommon side effects (occurring in between 1 and 10 out of 1,000 women):

• breast cancer
• changes in interest in sex
• nervousness
• high blood pressure.

Rare side effects (occurring in between 1 and 10 out of 10,000 women):

• presence of excess lipids in the blood called hyperlipidaemia
• impaired hearing (otosclerosis)
• a blood clot in vessels (venous thromboembolism)
• inflammation of the walls of the bowel (ulcerative colitis)
• Crohn’s disease.

Very rare side effects (occurring in fewer than 1 out of 10,000 women):

• liver tumour (benign or malignant)
• a sudden loss of brain function caused by a blockage or rupture of a blood vessel to the brain (loss of muscular control, diminution or loss of sensation or consciousness, dizziness, slurred speech etc.)
• a movement disorder called Sydenham’s chorea, visual disturbance (such as temporal loss of vision, blurred vision or double vision)
• heart attack
• inflammation of the pancreas (with the major symptoms: severe pain in the abdomen, nausea, fever)
• a disease of the connective tissue, called systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).

Blood clots

Using a combined hormonal contraceptive such as TriRegol increases your risk of developing a blood clot compared with not using one. In rare cases a blood clot can block vessels and cause serious problems.

Blood clots can develop:

• in veins (referred to as a ‘venous thrombosis’, ‘venous thromboembolism’ or VTE);
• in the arteries (referred to as an ‘arterial thrombosis’, ‘arterial thromboembolism’ or ATE).
• It is important to remember that the overall risk of having a harmful blood clot due to TriRegol is small.

If you notice possible signs of a thrombosis, stop taking the pill and contact your doctor immediately. In the meantime, use another method of contraception such as a condom or cap plus spermicide.

You should also remember that certain conditions can increase your risk of thrombosis. They include:

• age (the risk of having a heart attack or stroke increases as you get older);
• smoking (with heavier smoking and increasing age, your risk of thrombosis increases). When using the pill
• stop smoking, especially if you are over 35;
• being very overweight (obese).

For a full list of side effects, read the Patient Information Leaflet.

If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor, our Rightdose pharmacists or nurse. This includes any possible side effects not listed in this leaflet.

You can help to make medicines safer by reporting any side-effects to the Yellow Card Scheme at www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard.

Before taking any medication, it is important to read the Patient Information Leaflet. You can find information leaflets for your medicines by typing them into the search bar at medicines.org, or by contacting us.

Patient Information Leaflet TriRegol Coated Tablets (Packs of 3x21 Tablets)

Before you start using TriRegol you should read the information on blood clots in the Patient Information Leaflet. It is particularly important to read the symptoms of a blood clot and it’s important that you understand the benefits and risks of taking the Pill before you start taking it, or when deciding whether to carry on taking it. Although the Pill is suitable for most healthy women it isn’t suitable for everyone.

• Your doctor will ask about you and your family’s medical problems, check your blood pressure and exclude the likelihood of you being pregnant. You may also need other checks, such as a breast examination, but only if these examinations are necessary for you, or if you have any special concerns.
• While you’re on the Pill - You will need regular check-ups with your doctor or family planning nurse, usually when you need another prescription of the Pill.
• You should go for regular cervical smear tests.
• Check your breasts and nipples every month for changes – tell your doctor if you can see or feel anything odd, such as lumps or dimpling of the skin.
• If you need a blood test, tell your doctor that you are taking the Pill, because the Pill can affect the results of some tests.
• If you're going to have an operation, make sure your doctor knows about it. You may need to stop taking the Pill at least 4 weeks before the operation. This is to reduce the risk of a blood clot. Your doctor will tell you when you can start taking the Pill again.

Tell your doctor before starting to take TriRegol if you know you suffer from any of the following conditions. Your doctor may tell you to stop using TriRegol and advise you to use another method of contraception:

• If you suffer from: high blood pressure (hypertension); yellowing of the skin (jaundice); itching of your whole body (pruritus); gallstones; the inherited disease called porphyria; systemic lupus erythematosus - SLE (an inflammatory disease which can affect many parts of the body, including the skin, joints and internal organs);
• If you, or any member of your family, have a blood-fat (lipid) disorder called hypertriglyceridaemia, as this disorder can increase your risk of getting a disease of your pancreas, called pancreatitis.
• a blood disorder called haemolytic uraemic syndrome - HUS (a disorder where blood clots cause the kidneys to fail);
• the movement disorder called Sydenham’s chorea;
• the rash known as herpes gestationis;
• the inherited form of deafness known as otosclerosis;
• disturbed liver function;
• diabetes;
• depression;
• Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis (chronic inflammatory bowel diseases);
• brown patches on your face and body (chloasma), which you can reduce by staying out of the sun and not using sunbeds or sunlamps.

Other medicines and TriRegol
If you ever need to take another medicine at the same time as being on the Pill, always tell your doctor, pharmacist or dentist that you’re taking Logynon. Also check the leaflets that come with all your medicines to see if they can be taken with hormonal contraceptives.

Some medicines can have an influence on the blood levels of TriRegoland can stop it from working properly – for example:

• antibiotics (such as ampicillin, tetracycline and rifampicin);
• medicines used to treat epilepsy or other illnesses, such as primidone, carbamazepine, oxcarbazepine, topiramate, hydantoins or barbiturates (such as phenobarbitone);
• ritonavir (a medicine used to treat HIV infections);
• griseofulvin (a medicine used to treat fungal infections);
• certain medicines used to treat depression (tricyclic anti- depressants);
• cyclosporine (a suppressor of the immune system used e.g. during transplantation and in rheumatoid arthritis);
• the herbal remedy commonly known as St John’s Wort (hypericum perforatum).

You may have to use another method of contraception as well, such as the condom, while you are taking these medicines - and up to 28 days afterwards. Your doctor may advise you to use these extra precautions for even longer.

If you are taking antibiotics, always ask your doctor’s advice about extra precautions. Always mention you are on the combined pill if you are prescribed any medicines.

Before you have any blood tests
Tell your doctor or the laboratory staff that you are taking the pill, because oral contraceptives can affect the results of some tests.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding
Ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice before taking any medicine. If you think you might be pregnant, stop taking TriRegol and talk to your doctor immediately. Until you have spoken to your doctor, use another method of contraception such as a condom or a cap plus spermicide.

TriRegol should not be taken during breastfeeding.

Driving and using machines
TriRegol is unlikely to have any effect on the ability to drive and use machines.

TriRegol contains lactose and sucrose

Each tablet contains 33 mg of lactose and 22 mg of sucrose. If you have been told by your doctor that you have an intolerance to some sugars, contact your doctor before taking this medicinal product.

Before using any medication, it is important to read the Patient Information Leaflet. You can find information leaflets for your medicines by typing them into the search bar at medicines.org, or by contacting us.

TriRegol tablet is for oral use only.

How to take TriRegol

Always take this medicine exactly as your doctor or pharmacist has told you. Check with your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure.

Starting the first pack - This pack is designed to help you remember to take your pills.

• Take the first pill on the first day of your period. This is day one of your cycle - the day when bleeding starts. If you start on day 2-5 of your period, you should use another method of contraception as well, such as the condom, for the first seven pill- taking days, but this is only for the first pack.
• You can take your pill at any time, but you should take it about the same time each day. You may find it easiest to take it either last thing at night or first thing in the morning. Take a pill every day in the order shown until you finish all 21 pills in the pack.
• Then have seven pill-free days. Once you have taken all 21 pills, stop for seven days. You will probably bleed during some of these seven days. You do not need to use any other form of contraception during the seven-day break provided you have taken the 21 pills properly and you start the next pack on time.

The next pack

• After seven pill-free days, start your next pack. Do this whether or not you are still bleeding. You will always start a new pack on the same day of the week.

Changing to TriRegol from another combined hormonal contraceptive (combined pill, vaginal ring, transdermal patch)

You should start with TriRegol on the day after you took the last active tablet in your previous blister pack of contraceptive pills (or removed the transdermal patch or vaginal ring). The next pack should be started no later than on the day after the usual pill-free (or placebo, patch-free or ring-free) interval with your previous contraceptive.

Changing to TriRegol from a progestogen-only pill

You can stop taking pills only containing progestogen any time, and start taking TriRegol the next day at the same time point. But be sure to use additional contraceptive precautions (such as condoms or spermicides) during intercourse in the first 7 days, during which you take the pills.

Changing to TriRegol from a contraceptive injection or implant

If you have had an injection or implant of the hormone progestogen, you can start to take TriRegol on the day that your next injection is due, or on the day that your implant is removed. However, you should use another method of contraception (such as condoms or spermicides) during intercourse in the first 7 days, during which you take the pills.

Starting after childbirth or miscarriage or abortion

After a birth, abortion or miscarriage, your doctor should advise you about taking the pill. You can start using TriRegol immediately after a miscarriage or abortion which occurs during the first three months of pregnancy. In this case it is not necessary to take further contraceptive measures.

If you have had a delivery or abortion which occurs during the second three months of pregnancy, you can start taking TriRegol 21-28 days after giving birth or having an abortion. If you start later, an alternative contraception (such as the condom) must be used for the first 7 days of pill-taking. If you have had unprotected sex you should not start TriRegol until your period starts or you are sure you are not pregnant.

If you are breastfeeding, the combined pill is not recommended because it can reduce your flow of milk. If you have any questions about starting TriRegol after childbirth or abortion, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

What to do if you forget to take a pill?

If one pill is 12 hours late or less

Your contraceptive protection should not be affected if you take the late pill at once, and keep taking your next pills at the usual time. This may mean taking two pills in one day.

If you are more than 12 hours late in taking a pill, or you have missed more than one pill, your contraceptive protection may be lower so you must use extra protection. The more pills you have missed, the more risk there is that your contraceptive protection is reduced. In this case follow the instructions for daily practice:

What to do if you miss the pill in the first week?
You must take the last missed tablet as soon as you remember, even if this means that you have to take 2 tablets at the same time. Thereafter, you should continue taking the tablets at the usual time of the day. You must also use a barrier method of contraception, e.g. a condom, for the next 7 days. If intercourse has taken place during the preceding 7 days the possibility of pregnancy must be considered. The more missed tablets and the closer to the tablet-free interval this happens, the greater the risk of pregnancy.

What to do if you miss the pill in the second week?
You must take the last missed tablet as soon as you remember even if this means that you have to take 2 tablets at the same time. Thereafter, you should continue taking the tablets at the usual time of the day.
Provided that the tablets have been taken in a correct manner during the 7 days preceding the missed tablet, it is not necessary to take further contraceptive measures. However, if this is not the case,
or if more than 1 tablet has been missed, you should use another contraceptive method for 7 days.

What to do if you miss the pill in the third week?
You should take the last missed tablet as soon as you remember, even if it means that you have to take 2 tablets at the same time. Thereafter, you should continue taking the tablets at the usual time of the day.
You should then start the next pack immediately after taking the last tablet in the current pack, i.e. without a tablet-free interval between the packs. Withdrawal bleeding is unlikely until the end of the second pack, but there may be some spotting, or break-through bleeding, on the days you are taking tablets.
You may also stop taking tablets from the current pack. In that case, you should keep a period without tablets of up to 7 days, including those days when you forgot to take your tablets, and thereafter continue with the next pack.

If you have missed tablets and then do not get a withdrawal bleed in the first normal tablet-free interval, the possibility of pregnancy must be considered.

What to do if you have a stomach upset?
If you have been sick or had diarrhoea, the pill may not work. Continue to take it, but you may not be protected from the first day of vomiting or diarrhoea. Use another method, such as a condom, for any intercourse during the stomach upset and for the next seven days.

What to do if you want to delay or to shift your period?
If you want to delay or to shift your period, you should contact your doctor for advice.

If you take more TriRegol than you should, it is not likely that it will do you any harm, but you may feel sick, actually be sick or have some vaginal bleeding. If you have any of these symptoms, you should talk to your doctor who can tell you what, if anything, you need to do.

When you should not use TriRegol

You should not use TriRegol if you have any of the conditions listed below. If you do have any of the conditions listed below, you must tell your doctor. Your doctor will discuss with you what other form of birth control would be more appropriate.

Tell your doctor or family planning nurse if you have any medical problems or illnesses.

Tell your doctor if

• you have ever had a disorder affecting your blood circulation known as thrombosis (for example, blood clots in your legs, lungs, heart, brain, eyes or in any other part of your body);
• you have ever had a heart attack or angina (severe chest pain) or a stroke;
• you or any member of your close family have any medical condition which makes you more at risk of developing blood clots (see also the section ‘The pill and thrombosis’);
• you have diabetes with changes to the blood vessels;
• you have or have ever had disorder of blood vessels in the eye;
• you have high blood pressure;
• you have any heart and/or vessel disorders, such as irregular heart rhythm or a heart valve disease;
• you have liver disease or if you have ever had this;
• you have liver tumours or if you have ever had these;
• you have breast cancer or other cancer, for example ovarian cancer, cervical cancer, or cancer of the uterus (womb);
• you have unusual bleeding from your vagina;
• you have or have ever had a migraine;
• you are allergic (hypersensitive) to levonorgestrel and ethinylestradiol or any of the other ingredients of TriRegol;
• you are pregnant or think you might be.

Tell your doctor immediately if any of the following happen to you while you are taking TriRegol. Also, do not take any more pills until you have spoken to your doctor. In the meantime, use another method of contraception such as a condom or cap plus spermicide.

• If you get a migraine for the first time, or if you already have migraines but they get worse or happen more often than before.

You develop symptoms of a blood-clot formation. These symptoms include:

• unusual pain or swelling in your legs;
• sudden sharp pains in your chest which may reach your left arm;
• sudden shortness of breath or difficulty in breathing;
• sudden coughing for no apparent reason;
• any unusual, severe or long-lasting headache;
• any sudden changes to your eyesight (such as loss of vision or blurred vision);
• slurred speech or any other difficulties affecting your speech;
• vertigo (spinning sensation);
• dizziness, fainting or fits;
• sudden weakness or numbness in one side or part of your body;
• difficulties in moving around (known as motor disturbances); or
• severe pain in your abdomen (known as acute abdomen).
• You require surgery or become immobilised (not being able to move around as normal), since this may increase the risk of blood- clot formation. You should stop taking TriRegol at least four weeks before a planned major operation (for example, stomach surgery), or if you are having any surgery to your legs. Also, if you are immobilised for a long time (for example, you are in bed after an accident or operation, or you have a plaster cast on a broken leg). Your doctor will tell you when you can start taking TriRegol again.
• If you become or think you may have become pregnant.

What TriRegol contains

The active substances are levonorgestrel and ethinylestradiol.

• Each pink tablets: each tablet contains 50 microgram levonorgestrel and 30 microgram ethinylestradiol
• Each white tablets: each tablet contains 75 microgram levonorgestrel and 40 microgram ethinylestradiol
• Each ochre tablets: each tablet contains 125 microgram levonorgestrel and 30 microgram ethinylestradiol

The other ingredients are:

Pink tablets:

Core: colloidal anhydrous silica; magnesium stearate; talc; maize starch; lactose monohydrate; Coating: colloidal anhydrous silica; talc; carmellose sodium; povidone K30; Macrogol; copovidone; calcium carbonate; sucrose; red iron oxide (E172); titanium dioxide (E171).

White tablets:

Core: colloidal anhydrous silica; magnesium stearate; talc; maize starch; lactose monohydrate; Coating: colloidal anhydrous silica; talc; carmellose sodium; povidone K30; Macrogol; copovidone; calcium carbonate; sucrose; titanium dioxide (E171).

Ochre tablets:

Core: colloidal anhydrous silica; magnesium stearate; talc; maize starch; lactose monohydrate; Coating: colloidal anhydrous silica; talc; carmellose sodium; povidone K30; Macrogol; copovidone; calcium carbonate; sucrose; yellow iron oxide (E172); titanium dioxide (E171).

What TriRegol looks like and contents of the pack

Each blister contains 21 tablets: 6 pink tablets, 5 white tablets and 10 ochre tablets.
Pink tablets: pink, bright, biconvex, circular tablets.

White tablets: white, bright, biconvex, circular tablets.

Ochre tablets: ochre, bright biconvex, circular tablets.

Packaging: Aluminium-PVC/PVDC blister.
Pack sizes: 1 x 21 tablets, 3 x 21 tablets, 6 x 21 tablets and 13 x 21 tablets.

Not all pack sizes may be marketed.