Yasmin (Drospirenone / Ethynil Estradiol)

Synonyms: Yamin, Yaz

What is Yasmin (Drospirenone and Ethinyl Estradiol)?

Yasmin ovulation (the release of an egg from an ovary) and also cause changes in your cervical and uterine lining, making it harder for sperm to reach the uterus and harder for a fertilized egg to attach to the uterus.

The combination of drospirenone and ethinyl estradiol is used as contraception to prevent pregnancy. It is also used to treat moderate acne in women who are at least 14 years old and have started having menstrual periods, and who wish to use birth control pills to prevent pregnancy.

This medication is also used to treat the symptoms of premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD), such as anxiety, depression, irritability, trouble concentrating, lack of energy, sleep or appetite changes, breast tenderness, joint or muscle pain, headache, and weight gain.

Yasmin may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.

What is the most important information I should know about drospirenone and ethinyl estradiol?

This medication can cause birth defects in an unborn baby. Do not use if you are pregnant. Do not use this medication if you have any of the following conditions: a history of stroke or blood clot, circulation problems (especially if caused by diabetes), a heart valve disorder, breast or uterine cancer, abnormal vaginal bleeding, kidney or liver disease, an adrenal gland disorder, severe high blood pressure, migraine headaches, or a history of jaundice caused by birth control pills.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking drospirenone and ethinyl estradiol?

Do not take this medication if you are allergic to drospirenone or ethinyl estradiol, or if you have:

•uncontrolled high blood pressure, migraine headaches, or a heart valve disorder;

•a history of stroke, blood clot, or circulation problems of diabetes;

•kidney or liver disease;

•adrenal gland disorder;

•unusual vaginal bleeding;

•any type of breast, uterine, or hormone-dependent cancer; or

•a history of jaundice caused by birth control pills.

Before using this medication, tell your doctor if you have any of the following conditions.

•high blood pressure or heart disease;

•high cholesterol or if you are overweight;

•liver cancer;

•gallbladder disease;

•diabetes;

•seizures or epilepsy; or

•a history of depression, irregular menstrual cycles, or history of breast or uterine cancer.

FDA pregnancy category X. This medication can cause birth defects. Do not use this medication if you are pregnant. Tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant during treatment. The hormones in this medication can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. This medication may also slow breast milk production. Do not use if you are breast-feeding a baby. Drospirenone may raise potassium levels in your blood. Other medical conditions can also affect potassium levels, including liver disease, kidney disease, and adrenal gland disorders. Before using drospirenone and ethinyl estradiol, tell your doctor if you have any of these conditions.

How should I take drospirenone and ethinyl estradiol?

Take this medication exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not take larger amounts, or take it for longer than recommended by your doctor. You will take your first pill on the first day of your period or on the first Sunday after your period begins (follow your doctor's instructions).

Take one pill every day, no more than 24 hours apart. When the pills run out, start a new pack the following day. Get your prescription refilled before you run out of pills completely.

You may have breakthrough bleeding. Tell your doctor if this bleeding continues or is very heavy.

If you need to have any type of medical tests or surgery, or if you will be on bed rest, you may need to stop using this medication for a short time. Any doctor or surgeon who treats you should know that you are using birth control pills.

Your doctor will need to see you on a regular basis while you are using this medication. Do not miss any appointments. Self-examine your breasts monthly to check for lumps while you are taking drospirenone and ethinyl estradiol.

Store this medication at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Missing a pill increases your risk of becoming pregnant.

If you miss one “active” pill, take the dose as soon as you remember or take two pills at the time of your next regularly scheduled dose. You do not need to use backup birth control.

If you miss two “active” tablets in a row in week one or two, take two tablets each for the next two regularly scheduled doses (one missed tablet plus one regularly scheduled tablet for 2 days in a row). Use another form of birth control for at least 7 days following the missed tablets.

If you miss two “active” tablets in a row in week three, or if you miss three tablets in a row during any of the first 3 weeks, throw out the rest of the pack and start a new package on the same day if you are a Day 1 starter. If you are a Sunday starter, keep taking a pill every day until Sunday.

On Sunday, throw out the rest of the pack and start a new pack of pills that same day. You may not have a period that month, but this is expected. However, if you miss your period 2 months in a row, call your doctor because you might be pregnant.

If you miss one of the reminder pills in week four, skip that dose and take the next one as directed.

If you miss a pill, you may become pregnant if you have sex in the 7 days after your missed pill. You MUST use another birth control method (such as condoms or spermicides) as a back-up for those 7 days.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this medicine. Overdose symptoms may include nausea, vomiting, or vaginal bleeding.

What should I avoid while taking drospirenone and ethinyl estradiol?

Do not smoke while using this medication, especially if you are older than 35. Smoking can increase your risk of blood clots, stroke, or heart attack caused by birth control pills.

Yasmin will not protect you from sexually transmitted diseases, including HIV and AIDS. Using a condom is the only way to protect yourself from these diseases.

Yasmin side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat. Stop using this medication and call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:

•sudden numbness or weakness, confusion, pain behind the eyes, problems with vision, speech, or balance;

•chest pain or heavy feeling, pain spreading to the arm or shoulder, nausea, sweating, general ill feeling;

•a change in the pattern or severity of migraine headaches;

•stomach pain, loss of appetite, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes);

•a breast lump; or

•symptoms of depression (sleep problems, weakness, mood changes).

Less serious side effects may include:

•breast pain, tenderness, or swelling;

•freckles or darkening of facial skin, increased hair growth, or loss of scalp hair;

•changes in weight or appetite, swelling of your hands or feet;

•problems with contact lenses;

•vaginal itching or discharge; or

•changes in your menstrual periods.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Tell your doctor about any unusual or bothersome side effect.

What other drugs will affect drospirenone and ethinyl estradiol?

Some drugs can make drospirenone and ethinyl estradiol less effective, which may result in pregnancy. Other drugs may be affected by drospirenone and ethinyl estradiol. Before using this medication, tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor.

BUY HERE SAVE UP TO 80%

Ovral (Norgestrel + Ethinyl Estradiol)

Synonyms: Mala-d, Follistrel, Levlen, Levonorgestrel, Microgynon, Microval, Nordette, Norplant, Preven, Stediril

What is the most important information I should know about Ovral?

•Take your pill at the same time every day. Each dose should come no more than 24 hours after the last dose.

•Avoid smoking cigarettes while taking Ovral. Smoking greatly increases the risk of heart attack, stroke, or blood clot formation while using Ovral.

•Use another form of birth control if you miss several doses (see the package insert) or if you are taking drugs that decrease the effectiveness of Ovral (see the section of this leaflet titled “What other drugs will affect Ovral?”).

What are Ovral?

•Ovral contain a combination of hormones that is used to prevent ovulation (the release of an egg from an ovary). The pills contain a form of estrogen and a form of progesterone, which are both female hormones involved in conception. Ovral also have other effects that inhibit pregnancy. They cause the cervical mucous to thicken, which makes it harder for sperm to move toward the uterus, and they prevent the attachment of an egg to the uterus.

•Ovral are used to prevent pregnancy.

•Ovral may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking Ovral?

•Before taking Ovral, tell your doctor if you

◦have high blood pressure, angina, or heart disease;

◦have had a stroke;

◦have a bleeding or blood-clotting disorder;

◦have breast, uterine, or another hormone-related cancer;

◦have liver disease or a history of jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes) caused by use of birth control in the past;

◦have undiagnosed, abnormal vaginal bleeding;

◦have migraines;

◦have asthma; or

◦have seizures or epilepsy.

•You may not be able to take Ovral, or you may require a lower dose or special monitoring during treatment if you have any of the conditions listed above.

•Ovral are in the FDA pregnancy category X. This means that Ovral will cause birth defects in an unborn baby. Hormonal changes during pregnancy can have very serious negative effects on a developing baby. Do not take Ovral if you are pregnant or if you think you might be pregnant.

•The hormones in Ovral pass into breast milk and may decrease milk production. Do not take Ovral without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

How should I take my Ovral?

•Take your Ovral exactly as directed by your doctor. If you do not understand these directions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explain them to you.

•Take the first pill in a package on the first Sunday after your period begins (unless otherwise directed by your doctor).

•Take one pill every day, no more than 24 hours after your last dose. Try to take the pills at a time that you will remember every day — for example, just before bed, with a meal, or first thing in the morning.

•Taking your pill at night may help to reduce any nausea or headache that you may experience because of the hormones.

•If you are on a 28-day cycle, take one pill every day. When the pack runs out, throw it away. Begin a new pack the following day. The 28-day cycle contains seven pills that are either placebos (with no active ingredients) or iron supplements. These are “reminder” pills to keep you on your regular cycle. They are taken while you are menstruating.

•If you are on a 21-day cycle, take one pill every day for 21 days, then do not take any pills for 7 days. You should have your period during the 7 days with no pills. Resume your pills on the 8th day with a new package.

•Follow your doctor's instructions about using a second form of birth control when you first start taking Ovral, when you are taking antibiotics, or if you miss a pill. If you are unsure what to do in any of these cases, talk to your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor about how to ensure that you will not become pregnant.

•Store Ovral at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

What happens if I miss a dose?

•Missing a pill increases the risk of becoming pregnant.

•Follow the exact directions on your package information insert concerning missed doses. If you do not have a package information insert, call your pharmacist, doctor, or nurse to find out what to do.

•In general:

•If you miss one dose, take it as soon as you remember or take two pills at the time of your next regularly scheduled dose. There is little likelihood that ovulation will occur. You may, however, want to use a second method of birth control such as a condom or a spermicidal cream, jelly, or foam for at least seven consecutive days following the missed tablet to ensure protection from pregnancy.

•If you miss two tablets in a row, take the two missed tablets as soon as you remember or with your next regularly scheduled dose (three total). Or, you may take two tablets each for the next two regularly scheduled doses (one missed tablet plus one regularly scheduled tablet for two days in a row). Chances are much greater that you may ovulate so you must use another form of birth control for at least 7 days following the missed tablets. It is even better to use a second method of birth control until your next period.

•If you miss three tablets in a row, throw away the package and start a new package on the 7th day after the last day you took a pill. Use another method of birth control until you have taken a pill for 7 days in a row. Your period should occur during the 7 days without pills. If it doesn't, have a pregnancy test before beginning a new package of pills.

•Read all of the information in your package information insert. It may have slightly different instructions in the case of missed pills. Talk to your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor if you have any questions.

What happens if I overdose?

•Death is not likely to occur from an overdose of Ovral. Consult a doctor, an emergency room, or a poison control left for advice.

•Symptoms of an overdose include nausea, vomiting, and menstrual bleeding in females.

What should I avoid while taking my Ovral?

•Avoid smoking. It greatly increases your risk of a heart attack, stroke, or blood clot formation.

•Ovral do not protect you from sexually transmitted diseases — including HIV and AIDS.

What are the possible side effects of my Ovral?

•If you experience any of the following serious side effects, stop taking your Ovral and seek emergency medical attention:

◦an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of your throat; swelling of your lips, tongue, or face; or hives);

◦a blood clot in the lung (shortness of breath or pain in the chest);

◦a blood clot in an arm or leg (pain, redness, swelling, or numbness of an arm or leg);

◦high blood pressure (severe headache, flushing, blurred vision); or

◦liver damage (yellowing of the skin or eyes, nausea, abdominal pain or discomfort, unusual bleeding or bruising, severe fatigue).

•Other, less serious side effects may be more likely to occur. Continue to take your Ovral and talk to your doctor if you experience

◦headache or dizziness;

◦nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea;

◦breakthrough bleeding; or

◦breast tenderness.

•These side effects may disappear or be less noticeable after 3 to 6 months of birth control use. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice if you find any side effect very bothersome.

•The side effects listed below generally occur very rarely and are not considered serious. If you experience any of the following, talk to your doctor:

◦depression,

◦changes in weight or appetite,

◦vaginal yeast infection,

◦changes in your menstrual cycle,

◦oily skin or acne,

◦changes in your sex drive,

◦lethargy or fatigue,

◦bloating,

◦changes in your skin color, or

◦changes in your blood sugar.

•Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.

What other drugs will affect my Ovral?

•Some drugs may decrease the effectiveness of Ovral, which may result in pregnancy. Use a second form of birth control if you are taking

◦a penicillin antibiotic such as amoxicillin (Amoxil, Polymox, Trimox, Wymox, Utimox, A-Cillin, Larotid, Augmentin, others), ampicillin (Principen, Omnipen, Penamp, Polycillin, Amplin, Amcill, Totacillin, others), bacampicillin (Spectrobid), carbenicillin (Geocillin), cloxacillin (Cloxapen, Tegopen), dicloxacillin (Dynapen, Dycill, Pathocil), nafcillin (Nafcil, Nallpen, Unipen), oxacillin (Bactocill, Prostphlin), or penicillin (Veetids, Pen Vee K, Bicillin, Permapen, others);

◦a tetracycline antibiotic such as demeclocycline (Declomycin), doxycycline (Doryx, Doxy, Vibramycin, Vibra-Tabs, others), minocycline (Minocin), or tetracycline (Sumycin, Teracyn, Achromycin, Robitet, Panmycin, others);

◦a barbiturate such as amobarbital (Amytal), butabarbital (Butisol), mephobarbital (Mebaral), secobarbital (Seconal), or phenobarbital (Luminal, Solfoton);

◦rifampin (Rifadin);

◦phenytoin (Dilantin);

◦carbamazepine (Tegretol); or

◦griseofulvin (Grisactin, Grifulvin V, Fulvicin PG).

•Drugs other than those listed here may also interact with Ovral. Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before taking any prescription or over-the-counter medicines.

 

BUY HERE SAVE UP TO 80%

Mircette (Desogestrel + Ethinyl Estradiol)

Synonyms: Novelon, Cyclessa, Desogen, Kariva

What is the most important information I should know about Mircette?

•Take one pill every day, no more than 24 hours after the last dose. Try to take the pills at a time that you will remember every day — for example, just before bed, with a meal, or first thing in the morning.

•Avoid smoking cigarettes while taking Mircette. Smoking greatly increases the risk of having a heart attack, stroke, or blood clot.

•Use another form of birth control if a birth control pill is missed (see the package insert) or if you are taking drugs that may decrease the effectiveness of Mircette (see the section of this leaflet titled “What other drugs will affect Mircette?”).

What are Mircette?

•Mircette contain a combination of hormones that prevent ovulation (the release of an egg from an ovary). The pills contain a form of estrogen and a form of progesterone, which are both female hormones involved in conception.

•Mircette also have other effects that inhibit pregnancy. They cause the cervical mucous to thicken, which makes it harder for sperm to move toward the uterus, and they prevent the attachment of an egg to the uterus.

•Mircette are used to prevent pregnancy.

•Mircette may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking Mircette?

•Before taking this medication, tell your doctor if you have

◦high blood pressure, angina, or heart disease;

◦had a stroke;

◦a bleeding or blood-clotting disorder;

◦breast, uterine, or another hormone-related cancer;

◦liver disease or a history of jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes) caused by use of birth control in the past;

◦undiagnosed, abnormal vaginal bleeding;

◦migraines;

◦asthma; or

◦seizures or epilepsy.

•You may not be able to take Mircette, or you may require special monitoring during treatment if you have any of the conditions listed above.

•Mircette are in the FDA pregnancy category X. This means that Mircette are known to cause birth defects in an unborn baby. Hormonal changes during pregnancy can have serious negative effects on a developing baby. Do not take Mircette if you are pregnant or think you might be pregnant.

•The hormones in Mircette pass into breast milk and may decrease milk production. Do not take Mircette without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

How should I take Mircette?

•Take Mircette exactly as directed by your doctor. If you do not understand these directions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explain them to you.

•Take the first pill in a package on the first Sunday after your period begins, unless otherwise directed.

•Take one pill every day, no more than 24 hours after the last dose. Try to take the pills at a time that you will remember every day — for example, just before bed, with a meal, or first thing in the morning.

•Taking the pill at night may help to reduce nausea or headache experienced because of the hormones.

•If you are on a 28-day cycle, take one pill every day. When the pack runs out, throw it away. Begin a new pack the following day. The 28-day cycle contains seven pills that are either placebos (with no active ingredients) or iron supplements. These are “reminder” pills to keep you on your regular cycle. They are taken during your period.

•If you are on a 21-day cycle, take one pill every day for 21 days, then do not take any pills for 7 days. You should have your period during the 7 days with no pills. Resume taking a pill on the 8th day with a new package.

•Follow your doctor's instructions about using a second form of birth control when you first start taking Mircette, when you are taking antibiotics, or if you miss a pill. If you are unsure what to do in any of these cases, talk to your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor about how to ensure that you will not become pregnant.

•Store your Mircette at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

What happens if I miss a dose?

•Missing a pill increases the risk of becoming pregnant.

•Follow the exact directions on the package information insert concerning missed doses. If you do not have a package information insert, call your pharmacist, doctor, or nurse to find out what to do.

•In general:

•If you miss one dose, take the dose as soon as you remember or take two pills at the time of your next regularly scheduled dose. There is little likelihood that ovulation will occur. You may, however, want to use a second method of birth control such as a condom or a spermicidal cream, jelly, or foam for at least 7 consecutive days following the missed tablet to ensure protection from pregnancy.

•If you miss two tablets in a row, take the two missed tablets as soon as you remember or with your next regularly scheduled dose (three total). Or, you may take two tablets each for the next two regularly scheduled doses (one missed tablet plus one regularly scheduled tablet for 2 days in a row). Chances are much greater that you may ovulate so you must use another form of birth control for at least 7 days following the missed tablets. It is even better to use a second method of birth control until your next period.

•If you miss three tablets in a row, throw away the package and start a new package on the 7th day after the last day you took a pill. Use another method of birth control until you have taken a pill for 7 days in a row. Your period should occur during the 7 days without pills. If it doesn't, have a pregnancy test before beginning a new package of pills.

•Read all of the information in your package information insert. It may have slightly different instructions in the case of missed pills. Talk to your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor if you have any questions.

What happens if I overdose?

•Serious harm is not likely to occur from an overdose of Mircette. Consult a doctor, an emergency room, or a poison control left for advice.

•Symptoms of an overdose include nausea, vomiting, and menstrual bleeding.

What should I avoid while taking Mircette?

•Avoid smoking. Smoking greatly increases the risk of a heart attack, stroke, or blood clot formation.

•Mircette do not protect you from sexually transmitted diseases — including HIV or AIDS.

What are the possible side effects of Mircette?

•If you experience any of the following serious side effects, stop taking the Mircette and seek emergency medical attention or contact your doctor immediately:

◦an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of the throat; swelling of the lips, tongue, or face; or hives);

◦a blood clot in the lung (shortness of breath or pain in the chest);

◦a blood clot in an arm or leg (pain, redness, swelling, or numbness of an arm or leg);

◦high blood pressure (severe headache, flushing, blurred vision); or

◦liver damage (yellowing of the skin or eyes, nausea, abdominal pain or discomfort, unusual bleeding or bruising, severe fatigue).

•Other, less serious side effects may be more likely to occur. Continue to take the Mircette and talk to your doctor if you experience

◦headache or dizziness;

◦nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea;

◦breakthrough bleeding; or

◦breast tenderness.

•These side effects may disappear or be less noticeable after 3 to 6 months of birth control use. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice if you find any side effect very bothersome.

•The side effects listed below generally occur very rarely and are not considered serious. If you experience any of the following, talk to your doctor when it is convenient:

◦depression;

◦changes in weight or appetite;

◦vaginal yeast infection;

◦changes in your menstrual cycle;

◦oily skin or acne;

◦changes in your sex drive;

◦lethargy or fatigue;

◦bloating;

◦changes in skin color; or

◦changes in blood sugar.

•Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.

What other drugs will affect Mircette?

•Some drugs may decrease the effectiveness of Mircette which may result in pregnancy. Use a second form of birth control until you talk to your doctor or clinic if you are taking

◦an antibiotic;

◦a barbiturate such as amobarbital (Amytal), butabarbital (Butisol), mephobarbital (Mebaral), secobarbital (Seconal), or phenobarbital (Luminal, Solfoton);

◦rifampin (Rifadin);

◦phenytoin (Dilantin);

◦carbamazepine (Tegretol); or

◦griseofulvin (Grisactin, Grifulvin V, Fulvicin PG).

•Drugs other than those listed here may also interact with Mircette. Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before taking any prescription or over-the-counter medicines, including herbal products.

 

BUY HERE SAVE UP TO 80%

Levlen (Levonorgestrel + Ethinyl Estradiol)

Synonyms: Florina, Oral L, Brevicon, Diprol, Ertonyl, Estoral, Eticyclin, Follistrel, Kolpolyn, Linoral

What is the most important information I should know about Levlen?

•Take your pill at the same time every day. Each dose should come no more than 24 hours after the last dose.

•Avoid smoking cigarettes while taking Levlen. Smoking greatly increases the risk of having a heart attack, stroke, or blood clot.

•Use another form of birth control if you miss several doses (see the package insert) or if you are taking drugs that decrease the effectiveness of Levlen (see the section of this leaflet titled “What other drugs will affect my Levlen?”).

What are Levlen?

•Levlen contain a combination of hormones that is used to prevent ovulation (the release of an egg from an ovary). The pills contain a form of estrogen and a form of progesterone, which are both female hormones involved in conception.

•Levlen also have other effects that inhibit pregnancy. They cause the cervical mucous to thicken, which makes it harder for sperm to move toward the uterus, and they prevent the attachment of an egg to the uterus.

•Levlen are used to prevent pregnancy.

•Levlen may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking Levlen?

•Before taking this medication, tell your doctor if you

◦have high blood pressure, angina, or heart disease;

◦have had a stroke;

◦have a bleeding or blood-clotting disorder;

◦have breast, uterine, or another hormone-related cancer;

◦have liver disease or a history of jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes) caused by use of birth control in the past;

◦have undiagnosed, abnormal vaginal bleeding;

◦have migraines;

◦have asthma; or

◦have seizures or epilepsy.

•You may not be able to take Levlen, or you may require a lower dose or special monitoring during treatment if you have any of the conditions listed above.

•Levlen are in the FDA pregnancy category X. This means that Levlen will cause birth defects in an unborn baby. Hormonal changes during pregnancy can have very serious negative effects on a developing baby. Do not take Levlen if you are pregnant or if you think you might be pregnant.

•The hormones in Levlen pass into breast milk and may decrease milk production. Do not take Levlen without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

How should I take my Levlen?

•Take your Levlen exactly as directed by your doctor. If you do not understand these directions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explain them to you.

•Take the first pill in a package on the first Sunday after your period begins (unless otherwise directed by your doctor).

•Take one pill every day, no more than 24 hours after your last dose. Try to take the pills at a time that you will remember every day — for example just before bed, with a meal, or first thing in the morning.

•Taking your pill at night may help to reduce any nausea or headache that you may experience because of the hormones.

•If you are on a 28-day cycle, take one pill every day. When the pack runs out, throw it away. Begin a new pack the following day. The 28-day cycle contains seven pills that are either placebos (with no active ingredients) or iron supplements. These are “reminder” pills to keep you on your regular cycle. They are taken while you are menstruating.

•If you are on a 21-day cycle, take one pill every day for 21 days, then do not take any pills for 7 days. You should have your period during the 7 days with no pills. Resume your pills on the 8th day with a new package.

•Follow your doctor's instructions about using a second form of birth control when you first start taking Levlen, when you are taking antibiotics, or if you miss a pill. If you are unsure what to do in any of these cases, talk to your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor about how to ensure that you will not become pregnant.

•Store Levlen at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

What happens if I miss a dose?

•Missing a pill increases the risk of becoming pregnant.

•Follow the exact directions on your package information insert concerning missed doses. If you do not have a package information insert, call your pharmacist, doctor, or nurse to find out what to do.

•In general:

•If you miss one dose, take it as soon as you remember or take two pills at the time of your next regularly scheduled dose. There is little likelihood that ovulation will occur. You may, however, want to use a second method of birth control such as a condom or a spermicidal cream, jelly, or foam for at least seven consecutive days following the missed tablet to ensure protection from pregnancy.

•If you miss two tablets in a row, take the two missed tablets as soon as you remember or with your next regularly scheduled dose (three total). Or, you may take two tablets each for the next two regularly scheduled doses (one missed tablet plus one regularly scheduled tablet for 2 days in a row). Chances are much greater that you may ovulate so you must use another form of birth control for at least 7 days following the missed tablets. It is even better to use a second method of birth control until your next period.

•If you miss three tablets in a row, throw away the package and start a new package on the 7th day after the last day you took a pill. Use another method of birth control until you have taken a pill for 7 days in a row. Your period should occur during the 7 days without pills. If it doesn't, have a pregnancy test before beginning a new package of pills.

•Read all of the information in your package information insert. It may have slightly different instructions in the case of missed pills. Talk to your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor if you have any questions.

What happens if I overdose?

•Death is not likely to occur from an overdose of Levlen. Consult a doctor, an emergency room, or a poison control left for advice.

•Symptoms of an overdose include nausea, vomiting, and menstrual bleeding.

What should I avoid while taking my Levlen?

•Avoid smoking. Smoking greatly increases your risk of a heart attack, stroke, or blood clot formation.

•Levlen do not protect you from sexually transmitted diseases — including HIV and AIDS.

What are the possible side effects of my Levlen?

•If you experience any of the following serious side effects, stop taking your Levlen and seek emergency medical attention:

◦an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of your throat; swelling of your lips, tongue, or face; or hives);

◦a blood clot in the lung (shortness of breath or pain in the chest);

◦a blood clot in an arm or leg (pain, redness, swelling, or numbness of an arm or leg);

◦high blood pressure (severe headache, flushing, blurred vision); or

◦liver damage (yellowing of the skin or eyes, nausea, abdominal pain or discomfort, unusual bleeding or bruising, severe fatigue).

•Other, less serious side effects may be more likely to occur. Continue to take your Levlen and talk to your doctor if you experience

◦headache or dizziness;

◦nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea;

◦breakthrough bleeding; or

◦breast tenderness.

•These side effects may disappear or be less noticeable after 3 to 6 months of birth control use. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice if you find any side effect very bothersome.

•The side effects listed below generally occur very rarely and are not considered serious. If you experience any of the following, talk to your doctor:

◦depression,

◦changes in weight or appetite,

◦vaginal yeast infection,

◦changes in your menstrual cycle,

◦oily skin or acné,

◦changes in your sex drive,

◦lethargy or fatigue,

◦bloating,

◦changes in your skin color, or

◦changes in your blood sugar.

•Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.

What other drugs will affect my Levlen?

•Some drugs may decrease the effectiveness of Levlen, which may result in pregnancy. Use a second form of birth control if you are taking

◦a penicillin antibiotic such as amoxicillin (Amoxil, Polymox, Trimox, Wymox, Utimox, A-Cillin, Larotid, Augmentin, others), ampicillin (Principen, Omnipen, Penamp, Polycillin, Amplin, Amcill, Totacillin, others), bacampicillin (Spectrobid), carbenicillin (Geocillin), cloxacillin (Cloxapen, Tegopen), dicloxacillin (Dynapen, Dycill, Pathocil), nafcillin (Nafcil, Nallpen, Unipen), oxacillin (Bactocill, Prostphlin), or penicillin (Veetids, Pen Vee K, Bicillin, Permapen, others);

◦a tetracycline antibiotic such as demeclocycline (Declomycin), doxycycline (Doryx, Doxy, Vibramycin, Vibra-Tabs, others), minocycline (Minocin), or tetracycline (Sumycin, Teracyn, Achromycin, Robitet, Panmycin, others);

◦a barbiturate such as amobarbital (Amytal), butabarbital (Butisol), mephobarbital (Mebaral), secobarbital (Seconal), or phenobarbital (Luminal, Solfoton);

◦rifampin (Rifadin);

◦phenytoin (Dilantin);

◦carbamazepine (Tegretol); or

◦griseofulvin (Grisactin, Grifulvin V, Fulvicin PG).

•Drugs other than those listed here may also interact with Levlen. Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before taking any prescription or over-the-counter medicines.

 

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