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  • Q&A with Australian Health Practitioners

    What Australian contraceptive pill is similar to Bellissima?

    Related Topics
    Pregnancy & Breastfeeding Women's Health
    I'm taking a contraceptive mini-pill called Bellissima with the following active ingredients:

    Chlormadinone Acetate 2 mg; Ethinyl Estradiol 0.03 mg
    More: http://www.igenericdrugs.com/?s=Bellissima

    Unfortunately this product is not available in Australia, does anyone know a similar mini pill with the same ingredients?

    Many thanks,

    tanja
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  • Women's Health Queensland Wide

    Women's Health Queensland Wide provides free health information for Queensland women. View Profile

    In Australia you cannot buy the contraceptive pill directly from the pharmacy. You will need to see a Dr. to have it prescribed. The Dr. will check your medical history and past history of contraceptive use and prescribe a pill which is suitable for your needs. This may include whether or not you need contraception which has the added benefit of helping to control acne. It is good to see a Dr. who has experience in Women's Health and I would suggest that you go to one of the excellent Family Planning Clinics which are located in each state. I am confident that you will find a pill with a similar profile to Bellissima.
    Regards, Brenda
    Women’s Health Educator
    Health Information Line, Women’s Health Queensland Wide

    Women living in Queensland can also call our Health Information Line - a free information and referral service for Queensland women - on 3839 9988 or 1800 017 676 (toll free outside Brisbane).

    Please note that all health information provided by Women’s Health Queensland Wide is subject to this disclaimer

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  • Tanja Kegel

    HealthShare Member

    Of course I know that a prescription is required.

    My main concern is, no one here seems to have heard of the ingredient  Chlormadinone acetate in a contraceptive pill.

    I spoke with a doctor and a pharmacist and they could not help me because they never heard of it. Instead they prescribed me Levlen (with Levonorgestrel), which is supposed to be similar.

    However, i dont respond to it very well and would like to know why this ingredient is not available in Australia.

    Thanks

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  • 6

    Thanks

    Dr David Moore

    Gynaecologist, Gynaecologist - Infertility (IVF) Specialist, Obstetrician

    David received a solid foundation to training in tertiary obstetric units and has developed skills in the management of complex and high-risk pregnancies and deliveries. … View Profile

    Hi Tanja,

    The pill you describe is a combined monophasic contraceptive pill, with chlormadione (CMA) as the progestogen component.  As it also has ethinyl estradiol (EE), it is not a “mini pill”, which contains progestogen only.  CMA has anti-androgenic properties (unlike levonorgestrel in Levlen), and this may be why it has been prescribed to you previously.

    Although CMA is not available in Australia, other combined pills with similar anti-androgenic progestogens are available.  Such progestogens include cyproterone acetate (CPA) and dienogest (DNG).

    Such combined pills are:

    1. “Brenda-35ED” - 0.033mg EE, 2mg CPA (i.e. a smidgen more EE) 
    2. “Valette” - 0.03mg EE, 2mg DNG 
    I suspect you would respond to either of these similarly to how you respond to Bellissima. 

    I hope that helps.

    Regards,
    David


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  • Tanja Kegel

    HealthShare Member

    Hi David,

    Thanks so much for taking the time and replying with this really helpful info.

    Have a great day,

    Tanja

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