Kelsee (Dienogest, Ethinylestradiol | Lactose)

Kelsee, a combined oral contraceptive, acts on the hormonal regulation of the menstrual cycle to prevent pregnancy and manage bleeding patterns.

• Contraception: Provides reliable prevention of pregnancy by inhibiting ovulation and altering cervical mucus when taken daily as prescribed.
• Menstrual cycle regulation: Helps achieve more predictable bleeding patterns and can reduce the intensity of menstrual flow and associated discomfort.
• Hormonal cycle control: Maintains consistent estrogen‑progestogen levels, supporting overall hormonal balance throughout the monthly cycle.

• Dienogest/Ethinylestradiol combines a synthetic progestogen (dienogest) with an estrogen (ethinylestradiol). The estrogen component suppresses the mid‑cycle surge of luteinising hormone (LH) and follicle‑stimulating hormone (FSH), while the progestogen reinforces this effect and stabilises the endometrium. Together they prevent ovulation, thicken cervical mucus to impede sperm passage, and induce endometrial changes that reduce the chance of implantation.

Kelsee may cause a range of adverse reactions, which are generally classified by frequency and severity.

Common Side Effects

• Nausea
• Breast tenderness
• Headache
• Spotting between periods
• Weight gain

Serious or Rare Side Effects

• Venous thromboembolism (deep vein thrombosis, pulmonary embolism)
• Arterial thrombosis (stroke, myocardial infarction)
• Severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis, skin rash)
• Liver dysfunction (jaundice, abnormal liver enzymes)

Before prescribing Kelsee, clinicians should evaluate several safety considerations to minimise risk.

• Pregnancy testing: Confirm non‑pregnant status prior to initiation.
• Smoking: Avoid use in women over 35 who smoke because of increased cardiovascular risk.
• History of thromboembolism: Contraindicated in patients with prior clotting events.
• Liver disease: Use with caution in active liver disease or impaired hepatic function.
• Migraine with aura: Not recommended for women experiencing migraine with aura due to stroke risk.
• Store at ambient temperature: Keep below 25 °C, in the original packaging, and protect from moisture.

Kelsee can interact with other medicines, altering its effectiveness or increasing adverse effects.

Major Interactions (Avoid)

• Enzyme inducers (e.g., rifampicin, carbamazepine, phenytoin, St. John’s wort): Decrease hormone levels, raising risk of contraceptive failure.
• Antifungal azoles (e.g., ketoconazole, itraconazole): Increase hormone concentrations, potentially heightening side‑effect risk.
• Antiretroviral agents (e.g., efavirenz, nevirapine): Reduce contraceptive efficacy.

Moderate Interactions (Monitor Closely)

• Antihypertensives (e.g., ACE inhibitors, beta‑blockers): May experience additive blood‑pressure effects.
• Diuretics (e.g., thiazides): Potential for electrolyte disturbances, especially potassium.