What are Hana (Desogestrel) Mini-Pill 75mcg Tablets

Hana is a daily contraceptive used to prevent pregnancy for women of childbearing age. It is an oral hormonal contraceptive (often called “the pill”). Hana works primarily by preventing a woman’s egg cell from ripening (prevents ovulation); it also has effects on cervical mucus which makes it more difficult for sperm to enter the womb.

Hana contains a small amount of one type of female sex hormone: a progestogen called desogestrel. Unlike the combined pill, Hana does not contain any oestrogen hormone, in addition to the progestogen. For this reason, Hana is called a progestogen-only pill (POP).

In contrast to the combined pill, Hana can be used:

• by women who cannot take oestrogens, or do not want to
• by women who are breastfeeding.

If you think you are post-menopausal, talk to your doctor. You may not need to take contraceptives.

Hormonal contraceptives, including Hana, do not protect you against HIV infection (AIDS) or any other sexually transmitted disease. Only condoms can protect you from sexually transmitted infections.

This product does not work as an emergency contraceptive. If it’s taken every day it will protect against pregnancy in the future.

How to take Hana (Desogestrel) Mini-Pill 75mcg Tablets

When and how to take the tablets

Hana will not prevent pregnancy unless taken exactly as directed. 

Take one tablet at the same time every day, without a break between packs. 

Swallow the tablet whole.

Choose a convenient time of day. It is best to link this to something you already do at the same time every day. For example, when you wake up, or when you brush your teeth.

Never skip your daily tablet. Take it every day, even when you bleed or have spotting.

The Hana pack contains 28/ tablets. The days of the week are printed on the pack, and arrows show the order to take the tablets. Every time you start a new pack of Hana, take a tablet labelled with the correct day. For example, if you start on a Wednesday, you must take a tablet marked with Wed. Don’t start with just any tablet. 

Continue to take one tablet a day until the pack is empty, following the direction shown by the arrows.

When a pack is empty, you must start with a new pack of Hana on the next day, without a break, and without waiting for a bleed.

Starting your first pack of Hana 

Not currently using hormonal contraception: 

If you are not using hormonal contraception now or in the past month (for example, pill, vaginal ring, skin patch, injection, implant, hormone-containing coil (IUS)), wait for your period to begin.

• it is preferable to take your first tablet on day 1 of your period. When doing so, you do not need to use extra contraception
• if you take your first tablet on days 2–5 of your period, use extra contraception (for example, condoms) for the first 7 days of taking the tablets.

Changing from a combined pill:

• if you have had your usual break from a combined pill, take the first Hana tablet on the day after your break, or when you have taken all the inactive tablets of your other contraceptive. If you follow these instructions, make sure you use extra contraception (for example, condoms) for the first 7 days of taking Hana
• if you haven’t had your usual break from a combined pill, start taking Hana on the day after you take the last tablet from your present pill pack. Even if your other pill pack contains inactive tablets, you can start Hana on the day after taking the last active tablet. If you are not sure which this is, ask your pharmacist. If you follow these instructions, you do not need extra contraception

Changing from a vaginal ring or skin patch:

• if there has been a break between removal of the vaginal ring or skin patch (ie. you are not starting Hana on the day of removal of the ring or patch), make sure you use extra contraception (for example condoms) for the first 7 days of taking Hana.
• if you start taking Hana on the day of removal of the vaginal ring or skin patch, you do not need extra contraception

Changing from another progestogen-only pill:

Switch on any day from another progestogen-only pill. You must start the day after you stop your other pill. You do not need extra contraception.

Changing from an injection, implant or hormone-containing coil (IUS):

When changing from an injection, start using Hana on the same day the injection is due. You do not need extra contraception.

When changing from an implant or hormone-containing coil (IUS), start Hana the same day the IUS or implant is removed. Your doctor will advise you when the IUS should be removed and whether you need any extra contraception.

Starting or resuming Hana following emergency contraception:

Ask your pharmacist for advice on how to start taking or resume taking Hana following emergency contraception. If you have taken emergency contraception, it is advisable to wait until day 1 of your next menstrual period before taking Hana.

Emergency contraception containing levonorgestrel can be used with Hana. If you have used emergency contraception containing levonorgestrel during your cycle, you can start or continue taking Hana the same day, but you must use additional contraception (for example, condoms) every time you have sex for the next 7 days.

Using Hana and emergency contraception containing ulipristal acetate together can alter the effect of both these medicines, resulting in reduced contraceptive effect and increased risk of pregnancy. If you have used emergency contraception containing ulipristal acetate during your cycle, you must wait 5 days after taking ulipristal acetate before taking Hana and you must also use additional contraception (for example, condoms) every time you have sex during the 5 days while you wait to start or resume taking Hana and for the first 7 days of taking Hana (i.e. for a total of 12 days).

If you have had a baby:

You can start Hana any day between day 1 and day 21 after the birth of your baby.

If you start later than 21 days afterwards, make sure that you use extra contraception (for example, condoms) for the first 7 days of taking Hana. If you have already had unprotected sex, take a pregnancy test or talk to your doctor before starting Hana.

Your pharmacist, doctor or family planning nurse can also advise you.

What do Hana (Desogestrel) Mini-Pill 75mcg Tablets contain

The active substance is desogestrel. Each film-coated tablet contains 75 microgram desogestrel.

The other ingredients are alpha-tocopherol; maize starch; povidone; stearic acid; hypromellose; macrogol 400; titanium dioxide (E 171); lactose monohydrate.

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