- Reference Number: HEY1645/2026
- Departments: Anaesthetics
- Last Updated: 30 June 2026
Introduction
As part of a general anaesthetic, we commonly administer drugs to relax your muscles. Then, before you wake up, we administer drugs to reverse this effect.
You have been given a ‘reversal drug’ today called Sugammadex. Another name for this drug is Bridion. This drug has a unique interaction with the hormone progesterone. This is why you have been provided with this information leaflet.
This leaflet summarises the advice on what you should do depending on the type of hormonal contraception you are using.
What should you do if you are using an ORAL hormonal contraceptive tablet/ pill?
Types of oral hormonal contraceptive you may be using:
- Progesterone only contraceptive ‘Mini Pill’ e.g. Cerazette ®, Cerelle ® amongst others
- Combined oral contraceptive ‘Pill’ e.g. Microgynon ®, Cilique ®, Rigevidon ®, Yasmin ® amongst others
The effect of Sugammadex means that even if you took your pill this morning, it is the equivalent to one missed pill.
What should you do if you are using any OTHER type of hormonal contraceptive?
Other types of hormonal contraceptive you may be using:
- Contraceptive implant
- Hormonal Intra-Uterine System (IUS) e.g. Mirena®, Levosert®, Kyleena®, Jaydess®
- Depo-provera (injection)
- Vaginal ring
- Skin patch
What should you do if you are using any NON-HORMONAL contraceptive?
Types of non-hormonal contraceptive you may be using:
- Condoms
- Cervical caps
- Diaphragm
- Contraceptive sponge
- Copper IUD
- Spermicide
Frequently asked questions
Will other drugs given to me as part of the anaesthetic affect my hormonal contraceptive?
No, this interaction is not known to occur with other anaesthetic-related drugs.
Where can I get more information?
Please ask to speak with your anaesthetist with any queries regarding your anaesthetic.
For further contraceptive advice please contact your GP or local sexual health and contraceptive services.
What should I do if I have any questions?
If you have any other concerns please talk to your nurse, therapist or doctor. Our Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) is available on 01482 623065 (Hull Royal Infirmary and Castle Hill Hospital). You can also contact hyp-tr.pals.mailbox@nhs.net
As a Trust we value equality of access to our information and services, therefore alternative formats are available online at https://www.hey.nhs.uk/patient-leaflets/ or can be requested from hyp-tr.pals.mailbox@nhs.net.
NHS Website
NHS website is a health information service. The aim is to support the public to become active consumers of healthcare rather than passive recipients, and to help individuals, their family or carers to make more informed choices: https://www.nhs.uk/
General Advice and Consent
Most of your questions should have been answered by this leaflet, but remember that this is only a starting point for discussion with the healthcare team.
Consent to treatment
Before any doctor, nurse or therapist examines or treats you, they must seek your consent or permission. In order to make a decision, you need to have information from health professionals about the treatment or investigation which is being offered to you. You should always ask them more questions if you do not understand or if you want more information.
The information you receive should be about your condition, the alternatives available to you, and whether it carries risks as well as the benefits. What is important is that your consent is genuine or valid. That means:
- you must be able to give your consent
- you must be given enough information to enable you to make a decision
- you must be acting under your own free will and not under the strong influence of another person
Information about you
We collect and use your information to provide you with care and treatment. As part of your care, information about you will be shared between members of a healthcare team, some of whom you may not meet. Your information may also be used to help train staff, to check the quality of our care, to manage and plan the health service, and to help with research. Wherever possible we use anonymous data.
We may pass on relevant information to other health organisations that provide you with care. All information is treated as strictly confidential and is not given to anyone who does not need it. If you have any concerns please ask your doctor, or the person caring for you.
Under the General Data Protection Regulation and the Data Protection Act 2018 we are responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of any information we hold about you. For further information visit the following page: Confidential Information about You.
If you or your carer needs information about your health and wellbeing and about your care and treatment in a different format, such as large print, braille or audio, due to disability, impairment or sensory loss, please advise a member of staff and this can be arranged.