Cilest advice

[Sarah Buchan]

Hi Becki,

Thank you for posting this question. I am sorry to hear that you have ended up in this situation whilst enjoying your travels!

I cannot advise that it is safe or effective to take any medication past the expiration date. This date is specified to ensure that patients take the medication while the active ingredients are most effective, beyond this date there is a possibility of reduced effectiveness.

In this situation I would advice you visit a local medical or sexual health centre as soon as possible, firstly to test whether you have become pregnant and secondly to prescribe another product which will be effective for you during your travels. As I do not know where in Australia you are, I have provided the following link for you to locate your nearest sexual health and family planning clinic http://www.shfpa.org.au/find-clinic

Cilest is a combination contraceptive pill, with the ingredients ethinylestradiol 35mcg and norgestimate 250mcg. I cannot advise as to the availability of this particular brand in Australia, however, there will be similiar products containing this combination of ingredients which a medical practitioner could prescribe for you.

In the meantime, barrier protection such as condoms are essential in protecting yourself from sexually transmitted infections and the risk of pregnancy.

I hope this advice is helpful and that you enjoy the rest of your travels.

Kindest regards,

Sarah