How should I take Hana?

Swallow one tablet whole, at the same time every day. Days of the week and arrows are printed on your pill packet, to help you. Talk to your local Well pharmacist or other health professional if you're not sure how to take your tablets correctly.

Continue to take one tablet each day, until the strip of 28 tablets is empty. Once you’ve finished a strip, start the next one straight away the next day, with no breaks. If you do have any menstrual bleeding while taking Hana, continue to take your tablets each day, as normal[2].

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When should I start taking Hana?

When you start Hana will depend on whether or not you’re already using contraception and what type of contraception you’ve been using before.

When you start taking Hana may also be different if you’ve recently had a baby, a miscarriage or an abortion. You can find out more about when to start taking Hana on the Patient Information Leaflet.

Looking for emergency contraception? There is support available on the NHS website or you can talk to a pharmacist, your GP, NHS 111 or visit your local sexual health clinic.

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What if I miss a pill?

If you forget to take your pill at your usual time, take it as soon as you can. If it’s been less than 36 hours since you took your last pill, your pill will still work and you won’t need to do anything else[1]. If it’s been more than 36 hours, you’ll need to take extra steps to make sure you’re protected from pregnancy:

• only take one pill, even if you’ve missed more than one

• carry on taking your pills at your usual time

• use an additional method of contraception, such as condoms, for the next two days

• if you’ve had unprotected sex since your missed pill, you might need emergency contraception.

Speak to a pharmacist, your GP, NHS 111 or visit your local sexual health clinic for advice about emergency contraception.

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Does Hana cause any side effects?

The most commonly reported side effects from taking Hana include:

• irregular menstrual bleeding (periods)

• acne (spots and changes to the skin)

• mood changes

• breast pain

• nausea (feeling sick)

• weight gain[3].

Talk to your local Well pharmacist or GP if you experience any side effects after taking Hana, or if you have any concerns about possible side effects. Find out more about the common possible side effects when taking Hana.

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Who is Hana suitable for?

Hana is available to women over 16. Our private, online consultation service is free and checks whether Hana is suitable for you. The questions we ask in your consultation are designed and approved by our pharmacy team. This means you get the same service online as you would in one of our stores. Start your consultation now.

What other options are available if Hana isn't suitable for me?

It’s normal to try a range of different methods of contraception before you find one that works well for you. Find out more about other common contraceptives.

Looking for emergency contraception? There is support available on the NHS website or you can talk to a pharmacist, your GP, NHS 111 or your local sexual health clinic about your options.

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Is there any reason why I shouldn't take Hana?

In some cases, Hana won't be a suitable method of contraception. Do not start taking Hana if:

• there's a chance you might be pregnant

• you're allergic to any of the ingredients in Hana[3]

• you have a thrombosis or blood clot

• you have jaundice (yellowing of the skin) or have had this in the past

• you have cancer

• you have any unexplained vaginal bleeding[1,3].

Speak to your local Well pharmacist or your doctor if you have any of these conditions before taking Hana, or about any other health concerns you may have.

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