COCP Medication Review Cheat Sheet

Reviewing someone on the combined pill shouldn't mean flicking through the FSRH guideline while she waits. This cheat sheet puts the whole review on a single A4 page you can keep by the BP machine.

What's on it:

• Measure – BP, BMI and age thresholds, with the UKMEC category each one triggers

• Ask – the questions that actually change the decision: new headaches or aura, smoking, new medicines, family clots, planned surgery

• Check – adherence, bleeding pattern, side effects, smear and STI risk

• BP & BMI table – under 140/90 to 160/100 and above, BMI 30 to 35+, smokers over 35: what to do with each number

• Stop today & refer – the red flags that end the supply on the spot

• Troubleshooting – breakthrough bleeding, no withdrawal bleed, headaches in the break, nausea, low mood, missed pills

• Re-cover the essentials – missed-pill rules, vomiting, tailored regimens, switching, travel

• Decide – continue, switch, tailor or refer, and what to document