Can I Take Lovima?
Asking yourself ‘can I take the Lovima pill?’ Here you can find out all about who this contraceptive pill is suitable for and who shouldn’t take it.
Who can take Lovima?
Lovima is suitable for women, and people with uteruses, who are of childbearing age, following a consultation with a pharmacist. That means any age from starting your first period, all the way through to menopause. Your pharmacist will go through some questions to make sure Lovima is right for you.
You may even be able to take Lovima if you:
- have just had a baby
- are breastfeeding
- have migraines
- are over 35 years and smoke
- are overweight
If you want to find out more information about who can take Lovima you should talk to your pharmacist.
Who shouldn’t take Lovima?
In certain situations, Lovima may not be a suitable contraceptive option. It is important to be open and honest during your consultation so that you can get the right advice for you.
You should not take Lovima if you:
- are pregnant or think you may be pregnant
- have an active thrombosis (a blood clot)
- have or have ever had jaundice or severe liver disease
- have or think you might have a cancer that is sensitive to sex steroids (e.g. some forms of breast, uterine and ovarian cancer)
- have any unexplained vaginal bleeding
- are allergic to soya, peanut, lactose, desogestrel or any of the ingredients in Lovima.
What your pharmacist needs to know
Before supplying Lovima, your pharmacist will ask you some questions about your health and other medications you take.
You should tell your pharmacist before taking Lovima if you:
- are taking other medication or herbal products
- have taken emergency contraception within the last 5 days
- have ever had breast cancer
- have liver cancer or other liver disorders
- have diabetes or high blood pressure
- have ever had a blood clot (thrombosis).
If you have taken Lovima before, you should tell your pharmacist if:
- you are taking or have been prescribed any new medicines
- there have been any changes in your health
- there have been any changes in your bleeding patterns
Can I take Lovima if I take other medications?
Your pharmacist will need to know about all medications you are taking, whether they are prescribed, over the counter or herbal etc. Interactions can occur between desogestrel and liver enzyme-inducing drugs, which can result in contraceptive failure.
Examples of liver enzyme-inducing drugs include anticonvulsants taken for epilepsy, antibiotics and antivirals, medicines taken for pulmonary arterial hypertension and herbal remedies.
Desogestrel can also affect how well other medicines work so it is important to provide your pharmacist with a comprehensive list of all your medications so that they can advise you accordingly.
Can I take Lovima if I have or have had cancer?
Do not take Lovima if you have a cancer that grows under the influence of sex steroids, such as breast cancer. If you have ever had liver cancer or breast cancer, speak to your doctor before using Lovima.
Finding out if Lovima is right for you
If you’re not sure if Lovima is the right choice for you, you should consult your local pharmacist who will be able to help you. Alternatively, you can buy Lovima online after a short consultation.
