Lucette

Buy Lucette Combined Pill Online

Written by Clinical Pharmacist Tyson Wilkman

You can buy the Lucette pill online in the UK with our registered online doctor and pharmacy service. Simply fill in an online assessment for your prescribed pill and our doctors will assess your request. If the Lucette pill is appropriate for you, a prescription is issued. This is dispensed in our pharmacy and sent out directly to your door.

What is Lucette?

Lucette is a combined contraceptive pill used to protect against pregnancy. It contains two active ingredients, ethinylestradiol and drospirenone. These are synthetic versions of two female hormones oestrogen and progesterone that can regulate the menstrual cycle.

How does Lucette work?

The female hormones in Lucette work in three ways. The first is by preventing the ovaries from releasing an egg (ovulation). The second is by thickening the mucus around the cervix. Doing this makes it difficult for sperm to move to make them unable to reach an egg. The third way is by making the lining of the womb unsuitable for an egg to implant.

Is Lucette effective?

If taken correctly, Lucette can be over 99% effective at preventing pregnancy. This is due to the multiple ways it works. If taken incorrectly, by missing pills or pills not absorbing properly, the effectiveness can slightly reduce to around 91%.

How to take Lucette Pills

Take one pill at the same time every day for 21 days, following the days of the week listed on the pack. After this, take a 7 day break from tablets. During this time you should experience a withdrawal bleed. This is similar to a period but is not one. This usually starts 2-3 days after you stop taking your pills. You are still protected from pregnancy during your withdrawal bleed.

Make sure after the break week you start your next strip of pills to remain protected from pregnancy, even if you are still experiencing a withdrawal bleed.

Missed pills

If you forget to take your pill and it has been less than 12 hours since your usual time, take it as soon as you remember and then take your next pill at your usual time. If you do this you do this, the pill will remain effective.

If it has been more than 12 hours since your usual dose time, still take the pill as soon as you remember and take your next pill at the same time as usual. The effectiveness of the pill may reduce depending on which week you forgot your pill. You should use additional contraceptive methods for 7 days to ensure you are protected from pregnancy.

Lucette Summary

Alternatives

If you are considering changing contraceptive pills, you should speak to your doctor about your options. There is a wide range of medicines available for contraception, but only some may be right for you. You can read more about your contraceptive options at contraceptive choices.

Some alternative options may be other combined pills, progesterone-only pills, barrier contraception, injections, implants and vaginal rings.

Does Lucette cause weight gain?

Although body weight changes are listed as an uncommon side effect, there is no evidence that Lucette directly causes weight gain. These weight changes are often the result of fluid retention at different points of your cycle.

Can I smoke while taking Lucette?

If you are under 35 and smoke, you may use Lucette just like most other contraceptive pills. If you are over 35 however, smoking may cause an increased risk of clotting. Speak to your doctor about progesterone-only contraceptive alternatives. 

Can I take Lucette while breastfeeding?

Yes, however, it should only be used 6 weeks after birth. If you require contraception before this time, it is advised to use barrier contraceptive alternatives.

Can I buy Lucette online in the UK?

Yes, although Lucette is a prescription-only medicine, our doctors are able to issue you a prescription after a short assessment. Always ensure if you are going to buy any medicine online that you use a registered online service to ensure you are getting a doctors assessment and genuine medicine. 

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, and breast tenderness.  

For a full list of side effects and more information, you can read the NHS Choices site on contraception. Alternatively, see the patient information leaflet for your pill.

What are the advantages of the Combined Oral Contraceptive?

The combined oral contraceptive can help to make periods lighter, less painful and more regular. When taken correctly the combined pill is more than 99% effective at preventing pregnancy. It can also help reduce the risk of womb and ovarian cancer.

What are the disadvantages of the Combined Oral Contraceptive?

The combined oral contraceptive can cause side effects including breast pain, spotting, and nausea. Other side effects such as headaches and mood swings are also common.

What are the advantages of the Progesterone only contraceptive?

One advantage of the progestogen-only pill is that it has a lower likelihood of side effects because it does not contain oestrogen. It can also be used by women who are unable to take oestrogen. Women who are breastfeeding can take the progestogen-only pill at the same time.

What are the disadvantages of the Progesterone only contraceptive?

The mini pill has to be taken at the same time every day. If you are more than 3 hours late (or 12 hours for the desogestrel pill), it may not be effective. It may cause periods to be irregular, they may stop altogether or get more frequent.

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, the progesterone-only pill may be more suitable. Talk to your doctor to discuss the best course of action for contraception.

Am I protected against pregnancy straight away?

Some pills, if taken correctly, will provide protection immediately, while others take time to provide contraceptive cover. Refer to the patient information leaflet of your pill 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 disease such as chlamydia and gonorrhoea. No contraceptive pill will protect against sexually transmitted infections.

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.

Where can I get the contraceptive pill in the UK?

In the UK, you should speak to a GP or visit a sexual health clinic if you would like to get the contraceptive pill prescribed. This is free via the NHS.

You can order the contraceptive pill online from Simple Online Pharmacy if you have already been prescribed it by your doctor. You must complete a medical assessment form for our doctors to review. They can use this to make sure it is safe and suitable for you to take. We offer delivery (including next working day options) via the Royal Mail. 

Content Reviewed: 14/01/2021

Potential side effects

Like any medicine, Lucette has the potential for some side effects, although not everyone will experience them. If you experience any side effects you find concerning, please talk to your doctor.

Some more common side effects (up to 1 in 10 people) can be breast tenderness, bleeding between periods, heavy periods, headaches, migraines, nausea and vaginal discharge.

Some uncommon side effects (up to 1% of people) can be libido changes, breast swelling, fluid retention, body weight changes and blood pressure changes.

Combined contraceptive pills like Lucette have been associated with a slightly increased risk of blood clots. You should be aware of the signs of a blood clot when taking this medicine. Slightly higher rates of breast cancer have also been detected although this may be due to high rates of testing in those taking combined pills.

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.

• Lucette PIL

Lucette Pill Warnings

It is advised to not take Lucette if you have experienced events such as strokes, blood clots, breast cancer or have a condition that may make you more prone to these conditions. Always ensure your doctor (including online doctors) is aware of your full medical history when prescribing a combined pill. This allows them to make an informed decision on whether the medicine is safe for you.

Other Medicines and Lucette

Some medicines may influence the effectiveness of Lucette making your risk of pregnancy higher. Always ensure you inform your prescribing doctors about all of your current medicines to ensure they are able to safely prescribe your treatments.

Particular medicines you should be aware of when taking this contraceptive pill are:

• Epilepsy medicines
• Antiviral medicines
• Antifungal treatments
• St. Johns wort

For a full list of medicines that can affect this pill, read the patient information leaflet.