Jeanine 0.03 mg/2 mg coated tablets – combined oral contraception

Jeanine is a combined hormonal contraceptive (“the pill”) containing two hormones in each coated tablet: the oestrogen ethinylestradiol (0.03 mg) and the progestogen dienogest (2 mg). The pack contains 21 tablets for one cycle.

According to the Summary of Product Characteristics, the only approved indication of Jeanine in Serbia is oral contraception – prevention of unwanted pregnancy. Before prescribing, the doctor assesses personal and family risk factors, particularly the risk of blood clots.

What is Jeanine used for and how should it be taken correctly?

Key facts about the medicine

What is Jeanine used for?

Jeanine is intended for oral contraception, i.e. prevention of unwanted pregnancy in women after their first menstrual period and before menopause. When deciding to prescribe it, the doctor takes into account each woman’s risk factors, especially for venous thromboembolism, and the differences in risk compared with other combined contraceptives.

How is it taken?

• Take one tablet daily at about the same time, whole, with a little liquid, with or without food.
• Take the tablets in the order shown by the arrow on the blister for 21 days in a row; then have a 7-day break, during which bleeding usually occurs (2–3 days after the last tablet).
• Start the next pack on day 8, whether or not bleeding has stopped. Contraceptive protection continues during the 7-day break.

When to start:

• No hormonal contraception in the previous month: on the first day of menstrual bleeding.
• Switching from another combined pill: the day after the last active tablet, at the latest the day after the usual break.
• Switching from a vaginal ring or patch: on the day of removal, at the latest when the next one would be applied.
• Switching from a progestogen-only pill: on any day, with additional non-hormonal protection (e.g. condom) for the next 7 days.
• Switching from an injection or implant: when the next injection would be due or on the day the implant is removed, with condoms for the next 7 days.
• After childbirth (not breastfeeding) or a second-trimester miscarriage: as advised by the doctor, from day 21 to 28.

Missed tablet:

• Less than 12 hours late: take the tablet as soon as you remember and continue as usual – protection is not reduced.
• More than 12 hours late in week 1: take the missed tablet immediately (even if this means two at once), continue as usual and use condoms for the next 7 days; if you had intercourse in the week before, contact your doctor.
• In week 2: take the missed tablet immediately; if tablets were taken correctly in the previous 7 days, no extra protection is needed, otherwise use condoms for 7 days.
• In week 3: take the missed tablet and skip the break (start the next pack straight away), or stop the current blister and, after a break of no more than 7 days (counting the day of the missed tablet), start a new pack.
• More than one missed tablet in a blister: consult your doctor.
• Vomiting within 3–4 hours or severe diarrhoea: act as for a missed tablet.

Special patient groups

• Children and adolescents: only for use after the first menstrual period.
• Older women: intended for women before menopause.
• Liver impairment: must not be used by women with severe liver disease.
• Kidney impairment: not studied; available data do not suggest a need for adjustment.

Contraindications – when the medicine must not be used

• a blood clot in a leg vein, the lungs or other organs (now or in the past), or a known blood clotting disorder (e.g. protein C or S deficiency, antithrombin III deficiency, factor V Leiden, antiphospholipid antibodies)
• upcoming surgery or prolonged immobilisation
• heart attack or stroke, angina or transient ischaemic attack (now or in the past)
• severe diabetes with blood vessel damage, very high blood pressure, very high blood fats, hyperhomocysteinaemia
• migraine with aura (now or in the past)
• pancreatitis associated with high triglycerides (now or in the past)
• severe liver disease until liver function is normal; benign or malignant liver tumours
• breast or genital cancer, or suspicion of it
• unexplained vaginal bleeding
• hypersensitivity to the active substances or excipients
• hepatitis C treated with ombitasvir/paritaprevir/ritonavir, dasabuvir, glecaprevir/pibrentasvir or sofosbuvir/velpatasvir/voxilaprevir

Precautions and warnings

• Before starting, the doctor takes a personal and family history and measures blood pressure; regular check-ups, usually at least once a year, are recommended.
• Risk of venous thrombosis: about 2 per 10,000 women per year without combined contraceptives; 5–7 per 10,000 with contraceptives containing levonorgestrel, norethisterone or norgestimate; 8–11 per 10,000 women per year with Jeanine.
• The risk is increased by obesity (BMI over 30), thrombosis in a close relative before age 50, surgery or long immobilisation, age (especially over 35), recent childbirth, and temporarily by flights longer than 4 hours.
• The risk of arterial clots is also increased by smoking, high blood pressure, raised blood fats, migraine, heart disease (e.g. atrial fibrillation) and diabetes.
• Special caution and informing the doctor in: Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis, lupus, haemolytic uraemic syndrome, sickle cell anaemia, hypertriglyceridaemia, varicose veins or thrombophlebitis, heart valve or rhythm disorders, liver and gallbladder disease, chloasma, porphyria, depression, epilepsy, Sydenham’s chorea, herpes gestationis, otosclerosis and hereditary angioedema.
• Depression and depressed mood, sometimes serious, have been reported; mood changes should be reported to a doctor promptly.
• Irregular bleeding may occur during the first 3 cycles; heavy or prolonged bleeding should be reported. If two withdrawal bleeds are missed in a row, pregnancy must be ruled out.
• The medicine contains lactose, glucose and sucrose.

Interactions with other medicines, alcohol and food

• The contraceptive effect may be reduced and breakthrough bleeding caused by: epilepsy medicines (primidone, phenytoin, barbiturates, carbamazepine, oxcarbazepine, topiramate, felbamate), rifampicin, some HIV and hepatitis C medicines, griseofulvin, ketoconazole, etoricoxib and the herbal medicine St John’s wort. With these, additional barrier protection is needed during use and for 7–28 days afterwards, depending on the medicine.
• Jeanine may affect lamotrigine (possibly more seizures), ciclosporin, theophylline and tizanidine.
• It must not be combined with the hepatitis C medicines listed above (risk of ALT increase); Jeanine can be restarted about 2 weeks after that treatment ends.
• It may affect some laboratory test results (liver, thyroid, adrenal glands, kidneys, lipids, clotting).
• Food does not affect use.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

Jeanine must not be used during pregnancy. If pregnancy occurs, stop the medicine immediately and contact your doctor. It is not recommended during breastfeeding because it may reduce milk production and small amounts of the active substances pass into breast milk. If you plan to become pregnant, you can stop at any time; waiting for the first natural period before trying to conceive is recommended.

Driving and using machines

Jeanine has no influence on the ability to drive and use machines.

Possible side effects

• Common (up to 1 in 10 women): headache, breast pain and tension.
• Uncommon (up to 1 in 100): vaginitis and vaginal yeast infections, increased appetite, depressed mood, migraine, dizziness, high or low blood pressure, abdominal pain and bloating, acne, hair loss, rash and itching, irregular and breakthrough bleeding, absence of bleeding, painful periods, vaginal discharge, ovarian cysts, breast enlargement, tiredness, weight gain.
• Rare (up to 1 in 1,000): blood clots in veins or arteries (deep vein thrombosis, pulmonary embolism, heart attack or stroke, TIA), urinary tract infections, anaemia, allergic reactions, depression and sleep disorders, dry eyes and blurred vision, hearing loss and tinnitus, thrombophlebitis, gastritis, skin changes including chloasma, muscle and joint pain, changes in blood lipids.
• Frequency not known: change in libido, contact lens intolerance, hives, erythema nodosum or multiforme, oedema.

Report suspected side effects to your doctor, pharmacist or ALIMS.

Overdose, missed dose and stopping treatment

• Overdose: no serious harmful effects have been reported; nausea, vomiting and vaginal bleeding may occur (also in girls before their first period). If a child has taken the medicine or a larger amount was taken, contact a doctor.
• Missed tablet: see the rules in the dosing section; do not take a double dose to make up.
• Stopping: you can stop at the end of the current pack; if you do not want to become pregnant, first agree another reliable method with your doctor.

Related information

• How to lower high blood pressure without drugs – everyday tips

For additional care and support with contraception, see also the Condoms category – products in this category do not replace the medicine you have been prescribed.

Composition, packaging and manufacturer

• Active substances: ethinylestradiol 0.03 mg and dienogest 2 mg per coated tablet.
• Tablet core: lactose monohydrate, maize starch, maltodextrin, magnesium stearate.
• Coating: sucrose, liquid glucose, calcium carbonate, povidone, macrogol 35000, carnauba wax, titanium dioxide (E171).
• Pack: carton with one PVC/Alu blister of 21 tablets and the package leaflet.
• Marketing authorisation holder: BAYER D.O.O. BEOGRAD, Omladinskih brigada 88b, Belgrade. Manufacturer: BAYER WEIMAR GMBH UND CO. KG, Weimar, Germany.
• ALIMS authorisation: 000010284 2024 of 13.11.2024.

Storage

• Store in the original package to protect from light.
• Keep out of the sight and reach of children; do not use after the expiry date on the carton and blister.
• Return unused medicine to a pharmacy that collects unused medicines.

Frequently asked questions

Am I protected during the 7-day break?

Yes. According to the leaflet, contraceptive protection continues during the 7 tablet-free days, provided the tablets have been taken correctly.

What should I do if I am late with a tablet?

If you are less than 12 hours late, take the tablet as soon as you remember and continue as usual. If you are more than 12 hours late, the steps depend on the week in which the tablet was missed (see the dosing section), and additional condom protection for 7 days is often needed.

Can I delay my period with Jeanine?

The leaflet states that you can start the next pack straight away without a break, although this is not routinely recommended; breakthrough bleeding or spotting may occur. Talk to your doctor first.

Do antibiotics and St John’s wort reduce the effect of the pill?

St John’s wort and certain medicines (e.g. for epilepsy, rifampicin, griseofulvin, some HIV medicines) can reduce the effect of Jeanine. For every new medicine, ask your doctor or pharmacist whether additional protection is needed.

How high is the risk of thrombosis with Jeanine?

According to the leaflet, a blood clot develops in about 8–11 of 10,000 women per year using Jeanine, compared with about 2 in 10,000 women not using hormonal contraception. The overall risk is small, but it is important to know the symptoms.

Sources

• ALIMS – Patient leaflet Jeanine®, 0.03 mg/2 mg, coated tablets (November 2024)
• ALIMS – Summary of Product Characteristics Jeanine®, 0.03 mg/2 mg, coated tablets

Sources checked on: 23 October 2026.