Is the medicine "Belara" effective? Reviews of doctors (pros, cons) will be presented below. You will also learn about the form in which this drug is manufactured, what components it contains, whether it has contraindications for use and side effects.
Description, composition, form, packaging
The drug "Belara" goes on sale in the form of round biconvex light pink tablets with a white core. Its composition includes such active components as chlormadinone acetate and ethinyl estradiol. It also contains additional ingredients in the form of lactose monohydrate, povidone, corn starch and magnesium stearate.
As for the pink film membrane, it consists of titanium dioxide, talc, hypromellose, lactose monohydrate, macrogol 6000, propylene glycol and a dye of red iron oxide.
On sale, the agent in question comes in blisters that are contained in a cardboard box.
Pharmacodynamics
What is the medicine "Belara"? Reviews of doctors (the pros, cons of the drug will be presented later) say that this is a combined contraceptive intended for oral administration.
Prolonged use of tablets reduces the secretion of luteinizing and follicle-stimulating hormones and, as a result, inhibits the ovulation process. Also, this drug promotes proliferation and secretory transformation of the endometrium. This effect prevents the fixation of the fertilized egg.
When taking the medication in question, the viscosity of the mucous secretions from the cervix increases. Due to this, male reproductive cells with difficulty pass through the female genital organs.
Chlormadinone acetate included in this preparation is a progestogen that has antiandrogenic properties. It is able to compete with androgens in specific receptors and thereby weaken their effect.
The probability of pregnancy per year varies between 0.29-0.69%, and depends on strict adherence to the dosage and administration of the drug.
Pharmacokinetics
Pills Belara contain two active substances. Their kinetic indices differ markedly:
- Chlormadinone acetate is quite quickly and completely absorbed from the digestive tract. Its highest concentration in the blood is observed after an hour and a half. About 95% of the substance binds to plasma proteins (mainly with albumin).
During the transformation of the component, several metabolites are formed (3-alpha and 3-beta-hydroxy-chloro-chloromadinone acetate).
The half-life of this element is 33 hours. Chlormadinone acetate, as well as its metabolites, are excreted in equal amounts with urine and feces.
- Ethinyl estradiol is also rapidly and completely absorbed from the intestines. Its highest plasma concentration is reached after 90 minutes. The absolute bioavailability of this substance is 40%.
Approximately 98% of ethinyl estradiol binds to blood proteins. It is transformed by hydroxylation of an aromatic ring. The main derivative of this substance is 2-hydroxy-ethinyl estradiol.
The half-life of the component in question is 13 hours. It is excreted with feces and through the kidneys in a ratio of 3: 2.
To completely block ovulation, chlormadinone acetate must be taken in an amount of 1.7 mg every day. The dosage for a full cycle is about 25 mg.
Indications for use
Pills "Belara" are intended only for the fairer sex. They are necessary for oral contraception.
Contraindications
Under what conditions can I not take the medicine "Belara"? Reviews of doctors (the pros, cons of this tool should be taken into account by all women) report that this drug should not be used for:
- thrombosis and thromboembolism (pulmonary embolism, myocardial infarction, vein thrombosis, cerebrovascular changes);
- planned surgical intervention (a month before it), as well as during the period of immobilization;
- uncontrolled arterial hypertension;
- initial signs of thrombosis or thrombophlebitis, as well as with symptoms of embolism (including temporary ischemic attacks);
- acute or chronic severe liver damage;
- uncontrolled diabetes;
- itching of the whole body, cholestasis;
- predisposition to the appearance of arterial and venous thrombosis;
- severe pain in epigastrium, hepatomegaly, or signs of intra-abdominal bleeding;
- liver tumors;
- migraine attacks;
- Rotor or Dubin-Johnson syndrome, as well as a slowdown in the outflow of bile;
- motor impairment;
- sensory disturbances of an acute nature;
- porphyria;
- hormone-dependent malignant tumors or suspected them;
- severe depression;
- pancreatitis;
- cryptogenic amenorrhea;
- pronounced changes in lipid metabolism;
- during lactation;
- an increase in the frequency of epilepsy attacks;
- pregnancy
- complicated course of otosclerosis, including during previous pregnancies;
- addiction to smoking (patients over 35 years old);
- endometrial hyperplasia;
- lactose intolerance, lactase deficiency and glucose-galactose malabsorption;
- vaginal bleeding of unknown origin;
- the presence of many risk factors for venous or arterial thrombosis;
- sensitization to drug substances.
How to drink birth control pills "Belara"?
According to the instructions, birth control pills should be taken orally without chewing and drinking with a small amount of water. How should I receive? "Belara" must be taken daily at the same time (in the evening).
The duration of the drug is 21 days. Then it must be interrupted for a week. About 2-4 days after the last pill, menstrual bleeding is observed.
After seven days, it is required to start taking the drug from another pack, regardless of whether the bleeding has stopped or not.
The first tablet should be used on the 1st day of the physiological cycle (that is, on the first day of the next menstruation). Only in this case, contraception begins its effect and lasts even during the weekly break.
However, the first tablet can be taken on the 2nd-5th day of the menstrual cycle. In this case, barrier methods of contraception should be used during the first 7 days.
If menstruation began more than 5 days ago, then you must wait for the next to begin, and only then begin the cycle of taking the pills.
Side effects
Now you know how to drink birth control pills. It should also be borne in mind that taking this drug can cause the following adverse reactions:
- nervousness, irritability, depressed mood, weakening libido;
- increased appetite, changes in the fat composition of the blood;
- hypersensitivity to the components of the drug;
- intolerance to contact lenses, visual disturbances, conjunctivitis, tinnitus, hearing loss;
- dizziness, migraine pain;
- vein thrombosis, increased pressure, collapse, arterial hypotension, varicose veins, arterial hypertension;
- flatulence, abdominal pain, nausea, diarrhea, vomiting;
- hyperhidrosis, acne, erythema, chloasma, urticaria, hair loss, pigmentation disorders, eczema;
- lumbalgia, a feeling of heaviness, muscle disorders;
- vaginal candidiasis, dysmenorrhea, vulvovaginitis, increased vaginal discharge, premenstrual syndrome, amenorrhea, breast fibroadenoma, pain in the lower abdomen.
Drug interaction
Is it possible to combine the contraceptive Belara with other drugs? Using these pills with others can weaken their effect. These suppressive drugs include:
- substances activating microsomal hepatic enzymes;
- agents that enhance intestinal motility;
- some antibiotics.
After Belara and taking the funds listed, additional methods of contraception should be used.
Price and analogues
The analogues of the drug in question are the following: Vidora, Daila, Jes, Difenda, Jeanine, Lindinet 20, Logest, Mercilon, Milanda, Model Tin, Novinet ”,“ Silest ”,“ Femoden ”,“ Yarina Plus ”.
As for the price, it directly depends on the number of tablets in the package. The average cost of the drug "Belara" is 490-530 rubles (21 pcs.).
"Belara": reviews of doctors (pros, cons)
According to experts, the drug "Belara" has established itself as a very reliable contraceptive. When taken correctly, an unwanted pregnancy is ruled out. However, this drug has negative reviews. Doctors report that it is capable of causing a large number of side effects. This medication helps to gain excess weight, and is also very harmful to the skin. Moreover, he has an impressive list of contraindications.