Elestra Tablet

ELESTRA TABLET

Elestra Tablet is a hormonal medication manufactured by Macleods Pharmaceuticals Ltd., primarily prescribed for conditions related to androgen sensitivity and hormonal imbalances in women.

Composition

Elestra Tablet contains a combination of two active ingredients:

• Cyproterone: 2 mg
• Ethinyl Estradiol: 0.035 mg Cyproterone acts as an anti-androgen, blocking the effects and reducing the overproduction of male hormones (androgens), while Ethinyl Estradiol is a synthetic estrogen that complements this action and helps regulate hormonal balance.

Uses

Elestra Tablet is prescribed for women of reproductive age for several medical conditions:

• Moderate to severe acne related to androgen sensitivity, particularly when topical treatments or antibiotics have not been effective.
• Hirsutism (excessive hair growth).
• Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) symptoms such as acne, excessive hair growth, and irregular periods.
• It also functions as an oral contraceptive to prevent pregnancy.
• Other uses include treating oily skin and alopecia (hair loss).

Dosage and Administration

• Take one tablet daily at the same time each day, with or without food, as advised by your doctor.
• Typically, it is taken for 21 days of the menstrual cycle.
• The first tablet should be started on day 1 or 2 of your menstrual cycle.
• Swallow the tablet whole without chewing, crushing, or breaking it.
• It is crucial to complete the full course of treatment as prescribed.
• If a dose is missed, take it as soon as you remember. If it is close to the time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and continue your regular schedule. Do not take two doses at the same time. If vomiting occurs within 3-4 hours of taking a tablet, repeat the dose.

Side Effects

Common side effects may include:

• Nausea, stomach pain, abdominal pain
• Headache
• Weight gain
• Breast pain or tenderness
• Mood changes, depressed mood
• Dizziness
• Hot flashes
• Flushing
• Skin irritation
• Hair loss (often temporary)
• Lowered night eyesight

Serious side effects, though less common, require immediate medical attention:

• Unexplained swelling and pain in the limbs
• Shortness of breath or chest pain
• Changes in vision
• Persistent or worsening common side effects
• Frequent spotting or brown discharge in the middle of the cycle
• Periods not starting within a week of completing the course
• Signs of liver problems such as dark urine or yellow skin/eyes

Precautions

• Contraindications: Do not use Elestra Tablet if you are allergic to any of its components. It is highly unsafe and not recommended during pregnancy, if you might be pregnant, or while breastfeeding. Avoid use if you are using another hormonal contraceptive, or have a history of breast cancer, blood circulation problems/blood clots, heart attack, or stroke.
• Medical Conditions: Inform your doctor if you have high blood pressure, high cholesterol, migraine, severe liver disease or liver tumors, depression, diabetes, inflammation of the pancreas, chloasma (brown patches on the skin), angioedema, hepatitis, or kidney problems. Patients with clotting disorders should use this medicine with caution.
• Drug Interactions: Elestra Tablet may interact with certain medications, including antibiotics, anticonvulsants, and St. John's wort. Always inform your doctor about all other medicines you are taking.
• Alcohol: Caution is advised when consuming alcohol as it may affect the efficacy of the contraceptive.
• Other Warnings: Not recommended for children below 18 years of age (only indicated after menarche). If you are diabetic, monitor your blood glucose regularly. Your doctor may recommend regular blood tests to monitor liver function. This medication may cause your skin to become sensitive to light; use sunscreen when outdoors.

Storage

• Store Elestra Tablet in a cool and dry place away from direct sunlight.
• Keep it out of sight and reach of children.
• Store at temperatures between 10ºC to 25ºC or below 30ºC. Store as directed by your physician.

Elestra Tablet, manufactured by Macleods Pharmaceuticals Ltd., is a hormonal medication combining Ethinylestradiol and Cyproterone. It is primarily used for hormone-related conditions in women of reproductive age.

What is Elestra Tablet used for?

Elestra Tablet is primarily used to treat moderate to severe acne related to androgen sensitivity and/or hirsutism (excessive hair growth) in women of reproductive age. It is also effective in managing symptoms of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS), such as acne, oily skin, excessive hair growth, and irregular periods. Additionally, Elestra Tablet functions as an oral contraceptive, helping to prevent pregnancy.

How does Elestra Tablet work?

Elestra Tablet contains Ethinylestradiol and Cyproterone. Cyproterone acts as an anti-androgen, blocking the overproduction and effects of male hormones (androgens) in the ovaries, which are responsible for acne and excessive hair growth. Ethinylestradiol is a synthetic estrogen that complements cyproterone's action by further reducing androgen levels in the blood and helping to regulate hormonal balance. Together, these components help improve skin conditions, reduce unwanted hair growth, regulate menstrual cycles, and inhibit ovulation to prevent conception.

What is the usual dosage?

Elestra Tablet is typically taken once daily for 21 days, followed by a 7-day break. It is recommended to take the tablet at the same time each day, with or without food, to maintain consistent medicine levels in the body. It should be swallowed whole and not chewed, crushed, or broken. The course duration for conditions like acne is often one month, but treatment should always follow your doctor's prescribed duration.

What are the possible side effects?

Common side effects of Elestra Tablet include nausea, abdominal pain, headache, weight gain, mood changes, breast pain or tenderness, vomiting, and dizziness. More serious but rare side effects can include blood clots, severe headaches/migraines, changes in eyesight, and severe pain in the abdomen or legs. It's important to consult your doctor if side effects persist or worsen, or if you experience symptoms of blood clots.

Is it safe during pregnancy or breastfeeding?

Elestra Tablet is not recommended during pregnancy and is considered highly unsafe. Studies in animals or humans have shown fetal abnormalities, and the risks outweigh potential benefits during pregnancy. Similarly, it is not recommended for use by breastfeeding women.

Can it be taken with other medications?

Elestra Tablet can interact with various medications. Concomitant use with antiepileptics (e.g., primidone, phenytoin, carbamazepine, topiramate) or anti-tubercular medications (e.g., rifampicin) can reduce its effectiveness. The herbal remedy St. John's wort and immunosuppressants like cyclosporine may also interact with Elestra Tablet. Since Elestra Tablet also acts as a hormonal contraceptive, you should avoid using other hormonal contraceptive pills while taking it.

What precautions should be taken?

Before taking Elestra Tablet, inform your doctor if you have any allergies to its components. Avoid using this medicine if you have a history of blood clots, blood circulation problems, heart attack, stroke, or breast cancer. Exercise caution if you have high blood pressure, high cholesterol, migraine, severe liver disease, liver tumors, depression, diabetes, inflammation of the pancreas, chloasma, angioedema, or hepatitis. It is not recommended for children under 18 or typically for older women. Avoid excessive alcohol consumption as it may affect efficacy.

What happens if a dose is missed?

If you miss a dose of Elestra Tablet, take it as soon as you remember within the next 12 hours. If more than 12 hours have passed since the missed dose, skip it and continue with your regular dosing schedule. In this scenario, it is recommended to use an additional non-hormonal birth control method (like condoms) for the next 7 days to prevent pregnancy. If you vomit within 3-4 hours of taking the tablet, repeat the dose.

How should it be stored?

Elestra Tablet should be stored in a cool and dry place, away from direct sunlight, and out of the sight and reach of children. It should be kept at temperatures between 10ºC to 25ºC or below 30ºC.