Reviewed by Dr Samantha Miller MB ChB
(2017, University of Glasgow)
GMC number: 7561464
Information last reviewed 04/03/2021
Eloine is a type of the combined contraceptive pill designed to prevent unwanted pregnancies. It's known as a “low dose” pill as it contains a lower dose of the oestrogen hormone (ethinylestradiol) than some other combined contraceptive pills. It also contains a progestogen; drospirenone.
Eloine works by preventing ovulation from occurring; which means the ovaries do not release an egg for fertilisation. It does this by releasing synthetic versions of the hormones oestrogen and progesterone. In addition to this, it creates a thinner womb lining so that an egg cannot attach itself should fertilisation occur and thickens the mucus lining the entrance to your womb so that sperm cannot enter so easily.
When taken correctly, Eloine is over 99% effective. This relies upon it being taken on time every day and additional contraception being used if you are taking certain medications or have had vomiting or diarrhoea. Some people won’t be able to adhere perfectly to the instructions all the time, giving Eloine an average real-life effectiveness of around 91%.
Eloine will start to work straight away if you start taking it at the beginning of your period, on day one of bleeding. You can also start it elsewhere in your cycle but will need to use barrier contraception to prevent pregnancy for a period of 7 days. Ensure you follow the instructions given by your doctor or pharmacist about how to start taking it, as this will vary depending on whether you are switching from a different hormonal contraceptive, another type of the pill or you are starting the pill after giving birth or breastfeeding.
One of the non-contraceptive benefits of Eloine is that it eases PMS and regulates your period. You can expect your menstrual bleed to be lighter and less painful while taking the pill. It can also help to treat symptoms of endometriosis. Low dose contraceptive pills like Eloine are specifically designed to provide relief from PMS.
Eloine can be used to delay your period. To do this, skip the last four white placebo pills in your pill strip and begin the next strip of pills right away. It's recommended to consult your doctor before skipping your period.
Eloine can also be useful in treating the symptoms of endometriosis. On average, the condition affects 1 in 10 women within the UK, causing severe pelvic pain which can disrupt your daily life. Taking Eloine suppresses ovulation and menstruation, keeping endometriosis under control. If you think you might have endometriosis, speak to your doctor who can advise you on the best management strategy.
Eloine is effective at relieving PMS and reducing the symptoms often experienced before or during your period. It can prevent mood swings, alleviate period pain and cause your monthly bleed to be lighter than usual.
Dose |
One pill, taken once daily, at the same time each day |
Type of Medicine |
Low-dose combined oral contraceptive pill (COC) |
Mechanism |
Prevents ovulation, thickens mucus to make it harder for sperm to reach eggs, and prevents egg attachment to the uterus |
Available Size |
84 tablets |
Available Strengths |
0.02mg/3mg |
Active Ingredient |
Ethinylestradiol and drospirenone |
Price |
From 24p per tablet |
Side Effects |
Can include irregular bleeding or amenorrhoea, mood changes, breast pain and tenderness, nausea, headaches, increased blood pressure, migraines |
The active ingredients in the pink Eloine tablets are ethinylestradiol and drospirenone.
The white tablets do not contain any active ingredients.
The other ingredients are lactose monohydrate, maize starch, magnesium stearate (E470b), microcrystalline cellulose, hypromellose (E464), talc (E553b), titanium dioxide (E171) and iron oxide red (E172).
If you miss an Eloine pill, the action you should take will depend on whether you've missed a pink or white pill and how many you have missed. The four white pills at the end of your pill strip are placebo pills. Missing one of these will not affect your protection.
If it has been less than 24 hours since you were due to take an active pill then your contraception will not be affected. Take the missed pill as soon as you remember and continue with the rest of your pack at the usual times. If it's been more than 24 hours since you should have taken an active pill, take the following steps:
If you miss more than one pill, see your doctor as soon as possible for advice
If you have taken your pill later than normal, this will not affect your protection against pregnancy provided you take it within 24 hours of the scheduled time. If it has been longer than 24 hours this is considered a missed pill. In this case, follow the steps outlined above and ask your doctor if you are unsure of what to do.
If you have vomited within 3–4 hours of taking an active pill, Eloine may not work. Take another pill as soon as you can, within 24 hours of your usual time. If you continue to be sick or have severe diarrhoea, follow the instructions for a missed pill.
If you want to try for a baby you can stop taking Eloine anytime. It’s advised to wait until your natural menstrual cycle returns before trying to get pregnant, however, you can become pregnant at any time.
It’s usually safe to take contraceptive pills like Eloine for as long as you need to, provided that you don't have any existing or new health issues which may be impacted by taking the pill. Taking the combined pill increases the risk of experiencing a blood clot. It is important to thoroughly read the information leaflet included with your pills to ensure that it is safe for you to take. See the contraindications section for details on who might not be able to safely take Eloine.
After you stop taking Eloine your period is likely to return to normal within a month or two. For some women, it may take longer, depending on how long your body takes to adjust.
If you have not taken a hormonal contraceptive in the last month, you should start taking Eloine on the first day of your natural period. When started in this way, you’re immediately protected from pregnancy.
When changing from a different combined pill, start taking Eloine the day after you finish your current strip of pills. In the case of the progestogen-only pill (mini pill), you can switch to Eloine at any time. After switching from a progestogen-only pill, you must use an additional method of contraception for the first 7 days.
Speak to your healthcare provider about how to start Eloine if you’ve recently given birth or had a termination.
Eloine is taken each day, with each pack lasting for 28 days. There are 24 pink tablets and 4 white ones. The pink tablets contain hormones and the white tablets do not (they are placebo pills). You should start with a pink tablet on the first day of your cycle, and will take 24 pink tablets, then 4 white tablets to finish the pack. After you’ve finished the pack, begin the next pack the following day.
Each packet of pills contains a sheet of stickers with the days of the week printed on them. You can place the corresponding sticker to the upper left side of the pack which is marked “Place week sticker here”. This will help you to keep track of when you started your pack. Continue to follow the arrows which indicate the order you should take the pills in.
Eloine can be taken at any time of the day as long as you stick to the same time each day.
Each pink Eloine pill contains 0.02mg ethinylestradiol and 3mg drospirenone.
To use Eloine for period delay, skip the 4 white placebo pills at the end of your pill strip, starting the next one right away. Your period will return once you reach the white pills of the second pill strip.
Common side effects associated with Eloine are:
Uncommon side effects may include:
Rare side effects can include:
If any of the following apply to you, do not take Eloine:
Extra care should be taken if you:
Speak to your doctor before taking Eloine if any of these circumstances apply to you.
The following medicines are known to interact with Eloine, making it less effective:
Always inform your doctor about any medications you are currently taking, including herbal remedies.
It's fine to drink alcohol while you are taking Eloine.
It's common to experience mood swings while taking hormonal contraceptives containing oestrogen, such as Eloine. This will usually settle down after the first month or two. Being aware of how you feel and talking to friends or family can help you to deal with it. If your mood is low, you have lost interest in taking part in activities or work, it's possible you are experiencing depression. Talk to a GP about how you are feeling. They will be able to advise you on further treatment to help you cope with it, or suggest self-help methods such as online resources and groups.
Eloine differs from standard combined pills available on the market as it contains a lower dose of the oestrogen hormone. This combined pill is just as effective but causes less of the side effects that are typically associated with hormonal contraceptives. This makes it a viable option for women who are sensitive to oestrogen and have experienced adverse side effects from other versions of the combined pill.
The mini pill only contains the progestogen hormone (it's also known as the progestogen-only pill, or POP) whereas Eloine is a combined pill with both oestrogen and progestogen. The mini pill is taken continuously throughout the month. It may also cause irregular bleeding and can cause acne to flare up in some women. It produces fewer side effects than the combined pill however and does not pose potential long term health risks such as blood clots.
Eloine is one type of the combined contraceptive pill. Dr Felix stocks all available brands to give you easy access to your preferred contraceptive pill. Commonly prescribed pills include Microgynon, Rigevidon, Cilest and Cerelle. If oestrogen based hormones are not suitable for you, the mini pill is a good alternative. Long term reversible methods of contraception include the implant, hormonal IUS, copper IUD, and the contraceptive injection. These options are available from your GP or local family planning clinic. Male and female condoms are the only contraceptives that protect against both pregnancy and STIs.
Switching contraceptive pill is usually a straightforward process. The instructions will vary depending on which type of pill you are currently taking so ensure you double-check the information provided with your pill. When switching from another type of combined pill, take the last active pill in the pack, and begin Eloine the next day. You don’t need any additional protection. If you’re switching from a progestogen-only pill (POP, mini-pill), you can start Eloine at any point, but you must use additional precautions for seven days while the hormones build up enough to prevent pregnancy.
Eloine and Yas are the same. They both contain the same components and ingredients; however, Yas has now been discontinued.
Eloine can also be prescribed to help treat acne. Many types of the combined contraceptive pill provide this benefit, but you should speak to your doctor if you intend to use Eloine in this way, as there may be a more effective solution.
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