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Brand availability
Bayer advises that the Australian Microlut was available from April. The original Microlut will be back in stock in early August.
This means that anybody changing from the original Microlut to an alternative product would only need to do so temporarily.
Same active ingredients and strength
The active ingredients and strength of the Australian Microlut is the same as the original Microlut. However, the alternative has slightly different packaging and product information.
Information for people taking Microlut
The Australian Microlut:
- has the same active ingredients at the same strength as your usual Microlut
- is made by the same company
- has slightly different packaging from your usual Microlut.
If you have any questions about this switch, we recommend you talk to your prescriber or pharmacist.
Information for prescribers
Alternative funded progestogen-only contraceptives are listed on the Pharmaceutical Schedule. They include an Australian Microlut, which was listed as an alternative on 20 May.
> Check the Schedule for progestogen-only contraceptives(external link)
The Australian Microlut was initially approved under section 29 of the Medicines Act 1981. Medsafe has since approved it for sale in New Zealand.
The Pharmaceutical Schedule will not reflect this change until it is updated for 1 July 2020.
> Check out the packaging and shelf life differences for this batch - Medsafe website(external link)
Advice on prescribing contraceptives
BPAC provides guidance for health professionals about other funded contraceptive options.
> Read Contraception: Which option for which patient – BPACnz website(external link)
Information for pharmacists
An alternate brand of levonorgestrel tab 30 mcg has been sourced from Australia. It was listed on the Pharmaceutical Schedule from Wednesday 20 May 2020. It is also called Microlut.
It is was initially listed under section 29 of the Medicines Act. Medsafe has since approved it for sale in New Zealand.
The Pharmaceutical Schedule will not reflect this change until it's updated for 1 July 2020.
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Chemical and presentation
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Brand
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Pack Size
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Subsidy and price
(ex-man., ex. GST)
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Pharmacode
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Levonorgestrel tab 30 mcg
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Microlut
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112
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$22.00
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2591839
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- Wastage rules will apply
- The multiple of 28-tab rule applies
The Australian Microlut stock contains four 28-day blisters per original pack. This means that you will need to re-package it into boxes containing three 28-day blisters to fill patient prescriptions.
> Check out the packaging and shelf life differences for this batch - Medsafe website(external link)
RxOne users: the new listings have been updated by RxOne. Please refer to the e-Noticeboard on the RxOne Home Screen for instructions if your system has not been updated.
TONIQ users: the new listings have been updated in Toniq medicine databases.
