Elevin is an oral birth control treatment, classified as combined contraceptive pill. Developed and marketed within the UK by MedRX pharmaceutical company, it relies on two active ingredients, ethinylestradiol and levonorgestrel, which are synthetic versions of oestrogen and progesterone, respectively. Once introduced into the female body, they will mimic the activity of the naturally-synthesised sex hormones, preventing ovulation and by extension, preventing unwanted pregnancy. Similarly to other contraceptive pills, Elevin is to be taken for 21 days consecutively followed by a seven-day break before the next cycle.

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How reliable is Elevin?

Just like other birth control pills, Elevin is advertised as effective in up to 99% of cases. But aside from that, there are other aspects that are in Elevin’s favour. For starters, as a combination contraceptive pill, it is somewhat more reliable that progesterone-only alternatives. In addition to this, its balance between synthetic progesterone and synthetic oestrogen will ensure that Elevin side effects are far less commonly manifested as opposed to mini-pills.

However, in order to ensure maximum protection against unwanted pregnancy when using Elevin, you should use the treatment properly, in line with the instructions provided by your prescriber. This means that you should never miss a pill and that you should carefully follow the pattern of 21 day taking the pills followed by 7 days break before the new cycle begins. It is also important to be aware of other medications and remedies which can compromise the protection offered by Elevin. These include:

  • Epilepsy treatments
  • HIV or AIDS medications
  • High blood pressure drugs
  • St John’s wort
  • Ciclosporin
  • Lamotrigine

Additional information about how to ensure maximum protection with Elevin can be found in the official patient information leaflet that is issued within every pack of the medicine.

How does Elevin work?

In order for a woman to get pregnant, a whole range of bio-chemical processes needs to occur. The most important of those is, of course, ovulation which involves release of the egg cell from the ovary. Once it is transported to the fallopian tube, the egg can be fertilised by sperm. If the conception occurs, the egg cell will move to the womb and implant into the uterine wall where the embryo can continue to develop. Contraceptive pills all work by interfering with these processes in one way or another. But how exactly do the achieve that?

The role of progesterone in ovulation?

When it comes to ovulation, progesterone undoubtedly takes the centre stage. This hormone is tasked with timing and causing the release of the egg cell from the ovary, so it comes as no surprise that the secret of efficiency of birth control pills is directly tied to this compound. Synthetic progesterone, levonorgestrel in the case of Elevin, can actually trick the body into “thinking” that the ovulation already occurred, thus preventing the release of “another” egg. But, at the same time, synthetic oestrogen, ethinylestradiol, will alter the conditions along the uterine wall and change the density of the cervical fluids, thus making it harder for the egg to implant into the womb and for sperm to reach the egg at the first place. The activity of Elevin’s active ingredients will in this way prevent unwanted pregnancy. At the same time, this further underlines the benefits of combined contraceptive pills – even if by some chance the ovulation does occur, there are two more lines of defence.

Can I buy Elevin online in the UK?

Yes, it is possible to buy Elevin online, but in the UK, this is a prescription-only medication. This means that in order to obtain this medication legally, you first have to get a valid prescription issued by a certified medical professional. This can be done fairly easily, even if you opt for buying Elevin online. Most online clinics operating in the UK today will offer you to consult with a doctor online, usually through a specialised medical questionnaire that should help the doctor get a deeper understanding of your medical profile and history. Only in this way, the doctor will be able to make an informed assessment regarding your suitability for using Elevin. If everything checks out, the prescription will be issued and used that very moment to have the medication sent from the partner pharmacy to the address you provided during the sign up process. If the doctor has any reason to believe you might be oversensitive to changes in hormonal levels, a low-concentration alternative such as Eloine, for example, will be prescribed instead.

How to take Elevin?

As was mentioned, in order to ensure maximum level of protection against unwanted pregnancy, you should always use Elevin exactly as instructed by your prescriber. The detailed guidelines and additional information on the topic can also be found in the official patient information leaflet that you will find within your pack of Elevin.

Below, we will present you with a short overview of some of the most general guidelines related to using this birth control pill. Please note that the text below is to be used only for illustrative purposes – to get a better idea of what using Elevin might involve. As such, it can never be used as a substitute for official information or the doctor’s advice.

  • Always take Elevin exactly as instructed
  • Take Elevin pills daily for 21 consecutive days, followed by a 7 day pause before the cycle begins again
  • Always take the tablets whole without chewing or breaking them
  • Determine when should you start treatment using information provided in the information leaflet
  • If you miss a pill, abstain from sex or use barrier protection; refer to the leaflet about how to proceed
  • Never attempt to compensate the missed dose by doubling on the next one

What are Elevin side effects?

Frequency of occurrence Side effects
Very common (1 in 10 women or more) Headaches, spotting and bleeding between periods
Common (1 in 10 women or less) Inflammation of the vagina, mood swings, nervousness, general malaise, dizziness, abdominal pain, acne, breast pain or tenderness, painful periods, weight fluctuations, fluid retention
Uncommon (1 in 100 women) Changes in appetite, abdominal cramps, bloating, rash, changes in the skin, hair loss, changes of blood pressure
Rare (1 in 1000 women) Glucose intolerance, reduced ability to wear contact lenses, jaundice
Very rare (1 in 10.000 women) Urticarial, severe skin reactions, hepatocellular carcinoma, liver tumours

Please keep in mind that this is not a complete list of all documented side effects. For a more comprehensive overview, please refer to the official patient information leaflet that you can find within your pack of Elevin.