Eloine
Eloine is a low-oestrogen combined oral contraceptive pill that contains ethinylestradiol and drospirenone.
Prices from £25.00
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Eloine is a combined pill that contains synthetic versions of 2 female hormones: ethinylestradiol (oestrogen) and drospirenone (progesterone). When taken correctly, it is more than 99% effective at preventing pregnancy. Eloine is taken once daily for 28 days and is split into 24 active pills and 4 inactive or placebo pills.
You can request Eloine from Asda Online Doctor. If approved, Eloine will be delivered discreetly to your home address, or you can collect it from your nearest Asda Pharmacy 4 hours after a doctor’s approval.
Prices
84 tablet(s) / 0.02/3 mg - £25.00
168 tablet(s) / 0.02/3 mg - £45.00
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Eloine is a combined oral contraceptive pill that can effectively prevent pregnancy. It contains synthetic versions of 2 different female hormones (ethinylestradiol and drospirenone). These hormones work together to stop you from getting pregnant.
Eloine contains a lower dose of oestrogen than standard dose pills. So, it is a better option if you cannot tolerate higher oestrogen doses or are concerned about the side effects.
Although Eloine is usually prescribed as a contraception method, it can also reduce hormone related symptoms like period pain, irregular periods and in some cases, acne.
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Eloine is a daily contraceptive that should be swallowed whole with a glass of water, at the same time every day, for it to be most effective.
Eloine is supplied in 28-day packs, which are split into:
- 24 pink active tablets (contain hormones)
- 4 white inactive or placebo tablets (contain no hormones)
To take Eloine, you need to:
- take the first pink tablet on days 1 to 5 of your period, if possible
- then take 1 pink tablet every day, from day 1 to day 24, at the same time each day
- when you have finished all the 24 pink tablets, take 1 white placebo tablet every day from day 25 to day 28 – you may experience a withdrawal bleed during this time
- start your next pack after day 28 and follow the same process
When to take Eloine
Eloine must be taken at the same time every day.
You should start taking it within the first 5 days of your period. After this, you will need to use condoms for 7 days.
How much Eloine to take
Eloine is supplied in 28-day packs and is made up of 24 active and 4 inactive pills. You’ll need to take 1 active pill every day for 24 days and then 1 inactive pill for the final 4 days, before starting a new Eloine pack.
What to do if you miss a dose
What you need to do if you miss a dose of Eloine will depend on which type of tablet you have missed.
If you miss any of the last 4 tablets in the 4th row of the strip, then this won’t affect Eloine’s effectiveness. You can just throw away the forgotten placebo tablet(s).
If you miss a pink or active tablet and it has been:
- less than 24 hours since you should have taken the tablet, take the missed pill as soon as you remember, and then take the next pill at the scheduled time
- more than 24 hours since you should have taken your pill, your protection may be reduced, and the more tablets you have missed, the higher your risk of pregnancy
If you miss a pink tablet in the first 7 days of your course, take your next pill as soon as you remember, even if it means taking 2 pills in the same day. You will need to use additional contraception for the next 7 days.
If you miss a pink pill between days 8 and 14 of your usual course, take your next pill as soon as you remember, even if it means taking 2 pills in the same day. You will still be protected against pregnancy if you have taken your pills correctly for the previous 7 days. If you miss more than 1 pill during this time, use extra precautions for the next 7 days.
If you miss a pink tablet between days 15 and 24 of your course, you can either:
Take the forgotten tablet as soon as you remember, even if it means taking 2 tablets in the same day. Then, continue taking the pills as usual, but instead of taking the 4 placebo pills, throw them away, and start a new strip. You will skip a withdrawal bleed, but you may experience some spotting or breakthrough bleeding.
OR
Stop the active pink tablets and go straight to the 4 white placebo pills, but record the day on which you forgot to take your pill. If you want to start a new strip on the usual day, take the placebo tablets for less than 4 days.
Please note: Not getting a withdrawal bleed could be a sign of pregnancy so it’s important to take a test if this applies to you.
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Like all medications, Eloine can cause side effects.
Common side effects include:
- mood swings
- headache
- feeling sick (nausea)
- breast pain
- irregular or absent periods
Uncommon side effects include:
- depression
- nervousness
- sleepiness
- dizziness
- pins and needles
- migraine
- varicose veins
- increased blood pressure
- stomach ache
- being sick (vomiting)
- indigestion
- diarrhoea
- gas
- stomach inflammation
- acne
- skin itching or rash
- aches and pains
- vaginal fungal infection
- vaginal dryness
- low energy
- fluid retention
- weight gain
- pelvic pain
- breast enlargement
- fibrocystic breast
- uterine or vaginal bleeding
- genital discharge
- hot flushes
- vaginitis
- menstrual disorder
- dysmenorrhea
- hypomenorrhea
- menorrhagia
- vaginal dryness
- papanicolaou smear suspicious
- libido decreased
- asthenia
- sweating increased
- oedema – generalized oedema, peripheral oedema, and face oedema
Rare side effects include:
- vaginal or oral thrush
- thrombocythemia
- anorexia
- high blood potassium levels
- low blood sodium levels
- anorgasmia
- vertigo
- tremors (shakes)
- loss of consciousness
- fungal infection
- anaemia
- allergic reaction
- hormonal disorder
- increased or decreased appetite
- insomnia
- eye disorders
- conjunctivitis
- dry eye
- dry mouth
- dry skin
- patches of dark red skin
- excessive hair growth
- skin disorder
- stretch marks
- contact dermatitis
- skin rash in response to sunlight
- skin nodules
- pain after sex
- bleeding after sex
- inflamed vulva or vagina
- withdrawal bleeding
- breast cysts
- breast hyperplasia
- abnormal breast tissue growth
- cervical polyps
- fast heartbeat
- inflamed vein
- vascular disorder
- nosebleed
- thinning womb lining
- enlarged womb
- ovarian cysts
- bloating
- stomach problems
- feeling full
- feeling sick
- constipation
- hiatus hernia
- biliary pain
- hyperpigmentation
- eczema
- hair loss
- acneiform dermatitis
- gallbladder inflammation
- weight loss
- blood clots in a vein or artery
For a full list of potential side effects, read the Eloine patient information leaflet.
How long do Eloine side effects last?
Most Eloine side effects are mild and should go away on their own, usually within 3 months, once your body gets used to the medication.
If your side effects are severe and you are struggling to manage them or they do not go away, speak to your doctor for advice.
What to do if you get Eloine side effects
Most mild or moderate Eloine side effects usually go away on their own or can be managed by:
- taking over-the-counter painkillers for headaches and mild aches and pains
- staying hydrated, especially if you are experiencing headaches, flushing, nasal congestion, or feeling or being sick
- getting some rest, if you are feeling unwell, until it passes
- applying a warm pack or compress to your stomach if you are getting aches and pains
- seeking support, making lifestyle changes, and considering talking therapies if you’re experiencing low mood
If you are struggling with any side effects or are worried about them, speak to your doctor because they may recommend a different pill or method of contraception.
If you experience any of the following serious side effects, stop taking the medication and get someone to take you to A&E or call 999:
- signs of an allergic reaction, including difficulty breathing, swollen lips, tongue, or face, heart palpitations, skin rash
- signs of a blood clot, such as chest pain, a swollen, red, and tender leg, weakness down one side of your body, difficulty breathing
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Eloine may not be right for everyone. Before taking Eloine you must tell your doctor about any health conditions or medications you are taking. They will review this information to decide if Eloine is a safe and suitable contraceptive pill for you to take.
Do not take Eloine if you:
- are allergic to ethinylestradiol, drospirenone, or any of the other ingredients
- have or have ever had a blood clot
- have a blood clotting disorder
- are going to have an operation or are going to be off your feet for a while
- have ever had a heart attack or stroke
- have or have ever had angina pectoris or a transient ischaemic attack
- have a condition that increases your risk of blood clots, like severe diabetes with blood vessel damage, very high blood pressure, high blood fat levels, hyperhomocysteinemia
- have ever had a type of migraine called ‘migraine with aura’
- have or have ever had liver disease, and your liver function is still abnormal
- have kidney failure
- have or have ever had breast cancer or cancer of the genital organs
- have unexplained vaginal bleeding
Talk to your doctor before taking Eloine if you:
- smoke
- have a close relative has had breast cancer
- have liver or gallbladder disease
- are diabetic
- have depression
- have Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis
- have systemic lupus erythematosus
- have haemolytic uraemic syndrome
- have sickle cell anaemia
- have high blood fat levels
- have just given birth and are at an increased risk of blood clots
- have epilepsy
- have chloasma
Eloine and other medications
Eloine may interact with other medications. It is important to tell your doctor if you are taking any prescribed, over-the-counter, or herbal medications, including medications given to manage:
- epilepsy
- tuberculosis
- HIV and hepatitis C
- fungal infections
- arthritis
- high blood pressure in the blood vessels in the lungs
You should also tell your doctor if you take the herbal remedy St. John’s wort.
Eloine can impact the effectiveness of:
- ciclosporin
- lamotrigine
- theophylline
- tizanidine
Eloine during pregnancy or breastfeeding
Eloine must not be taken if you are or think you are pregnant. If you think you are pregnant while taking Eloine, you should contact your doctor as soon as possible.
You should not take Eloine if you are breastfeeding. Speak to your doctor if you would like to discuss suitable contraception during breastfeeding.
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Eloine is a prescription-only medication, so you will need a doctor’s approval to obtain it. Once you have a prescription, it may be available on the NHS. Alternatively you can request it from online doctor services without needing a prescription first.
Can I buy Eloine contraceptive pill online?
Yes, you can request Eloine from Asda Online Doctor using our convenient service, without the need to see a doctor face to face.
To request Eloine, you will need to:
- Complete a short online health assessment for one of our doctors to review.
- Place your order.
- If approved, your order will be dispatched and sent to your home address in discreet packaging, or you can choose to collect it from your local Asda Pharmacy 4 hours after a doctor’s approval.
- If your order isn’t approved, one of our doctors will contact you via your account with alternative treatment options.
Can I buy Eloine over the counter?
No, Eloine is not available over the counter, and you must have a prescription to obtain it. There are currently no combined oral contraceptive pills available over the counter.
Can I get Eloine on the NHS?
Yes, Eloine is available on the NHS, but you will need to make an appointment with your doctor, so they can assess if it is suitable for you.
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If Eloine isn’t suitable for you, there are other low-dose oestrogen combined contraceptive pills available.
At Asda Online Doctor, we offer:
- Gedarel 20/150 – also available in a standard 30 micrograms (mcg) oestrogen dose, the low dose contains 20mcg of ethinylestradiol and 150mcg of desogestrel
- Millinette 20/75 – a low-dose pill that contains ethinylestradiol and gestodene
- Mercilon – an alternative to Gedarel 20/150 as it contains the same active ingredients in the same doses
- Femodette – contains 20mcg of ethinylestradiol (oestrogen) and 75mcg of gestodene (progesterone)
- Sunya – an alternative to Femodette
If the combined oral contraceptive pill isn’t right for you, the mini pill may be a suitable alternative. They work similarly to the combined pill, but they only contain progesterone.
Some of the most popular mini pills are:
Eloine vs Yasmin
Eloine and Yasmin are similar in that they contain the same active ingredients, but Eloine contains a lower dose of oestrogen. They are both examples of combined pills that prevent pregnancy and work in exactly the same way. However, which pill is best for you will depend on how your body tolerates oestrogen.
Eloine vs Yaz
Eloine and Yaz are the same because they contain the same active ingredients and in the same doses except Eloine is the UK brand name for Yaz. Yaz is available in the US and other countries, but not in the UK.
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Frequently asked questions
Is Eloine a combined pill?
Yes, Eloine is a combined oral contraceptive pill. It contains 2 active ingredients, synthetic versions of oestrogen (ethinylestradiol) and progesterone (drospirenone).
Can I use Eloine to skip my period?
Yes, if you want to delay your period, you should start the next pack of Eloine tablets after finishing the active pink tablets of your current pack. Do not take the inactive white tablets. You can just throw them away.
Can Eloine birth control cause blood clots?
Yes, taking a combined oral contraceptive pill like Eloine can increase your risk of developing a blood clot compared to not using one. In women who do not take a combined pill and are not pregnant, the risk of developing a blood clot is about 2 out of 10,000 women each year. In women who take Eloine, the risk increases to 9 to 12 out of 10,000 women per year.
After completing her first degree, she went on to study graduate-entry medicine at Warwick University. After graduating as a doctor, she worked within the West Midlands in Urology, Respiratory Medicine, Infectious Disease, and Psychiatry before transitioning into a full-time medical communications role.
Meet our doctorsLast reviewed: 02 May 2025
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GMC: 7074021
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GMC: 7085115
Contraceptive pills are a reliable way of reducing your risk of getting pregnant from sex. Asda Online Doctor by ZAVA offers most common brands of pill, so you can order your preferred brand by visiting our contraceptive pill service page.
