Common
uses
This medicine is an estrogen
and progestin combination used to prevent pregnancy. It may also be used to
regulate the menstrual cycle, treat symptoms of menopause, or treat other
conditions as determined by your doctor.
Tablets
Chemical Name: LEVONORGESTREL (LEE-voe-nor-jess-trel)
and ETHINYL ESTRADIOL (ETH-in-il ess-tra-DYE-ole)
Before
using
WARNING: Smoking cigarettes
while using this medicine increases your chance of having heart problems. Do
not smoke while using this medicine. The risk of heart problems increases with
age (in women greater than 35 years of age) and with frequent smoking (15
cigarettes per day or greater). Some medicines or medical conditions may
interact with this medicine. INFORM YOUR DOCTOR OR PHARMACIST of all
prescription and over-the-counter medicine that you are taking. DO NOT TAKE
THIS MEDICINE if you are also taking nevirapine or rifampin. ADDITIONAL
MONITORING OF YOUR DOSE OR CONDITION may be needed if you are taking
barbiturates, carvedilol, corticosteroids, felbamate, griseofulvin, HIV
protease inhibitors, modafinil, metoprolol, pioglitazone, penicillin or
tetracycline antibiotics, theophylline, topiramate, troglitazone,
troleandomycin, or medicine for seizures. Inform your doctor of any other
medical conditions, allergies, pregnancy, or breast-feeding. USE OF THIS
MEDICINE IS NOT RECOMMENDED if you have a history of cancer, heart or liver
conditions, pulmonary embolism, blood clots, stroke, cerebrovascular disease,
or smoking. Contact your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions or
concerns about taking this medicine.
Directions
Follow the directions for
using this medicine provided by your doctor. THIS MEDICINE COMES with a patient
information leaflet. Read it carefully. Ask your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist
any questions that you may have before using this medicine. TRY TO TAKE THIS
MEDICINE at the same time every day, not more than 24 hours apart. STORE THIS
MEDICINE at room temperature, away from heat and light. IF YOU MISS A DOSE OF
THIS MEDICINE, take it as soon as you remember. Take your next dose at the
regular time. This means you may take 2 doses on the same day. IF YOU MISS MORE
THAN 1 DOSE OF THIS MEDICINE, refer to the patient information that came with
this medicine. If you have any questions, contact your doctor, nurse, or
pharmacist.
Cautions
SMOKING CIGARETTES while using
this medicine may increase your risk of stroke, heart attack, blood clots, high
blood pressure, or other diseases of the heart and blood vessels. TAKING
CERTAIN ANTIBIOTICS or anticonvulsants while you are using this medicine may
decrease the effectiveness of this medicine. To prevent pregnancy, use an
additional form of birth control until your next period. If you have any
questions, contact your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist. IF YOU WEAR CONTACT
LENSES and you develop problems with them, contact your doctor. THIS MEDICINE
MAY CAUSE dark skin patches on your face. Exposure to the sun may make these
patches darker. If patches develop, use a sunscreen or protective clothing when
exposed to the sun, sunlamps, or tanning booths. USE OF THIS MEDICINE WILL NOT
PREVENT the spread of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). DO NOT USE THIS
MEDICINE if you are pregnant. IF YOU SUSPECT THAT YOU COULD BE PREGNANT,
contact your doctor immediately. THIS MEDICINE IS EXCRETED IN BREAST MILK. IF
YOU ARE OR WILL BE BREAST-FEEDING while you are using this medicine, check with
your doctor or pharmacist to discuss the risks to your baby.
Possible
side effects
SIDE EFFECTS, that may go away
during treatment, include nausea, vomiting, bleeding between menstrual periods,
breast tenderness, or weight change. If they continue or are bothersome, check
with your doctor. CHECK WITH YOUR DOCTOR AS SOON AS POSSIBLE if you experience
persistent or recurrent abnormal vaginal bleeding, a missed menstrual period,
dizziness or fainting, swelling of fingers or ankles, headache, or difficulty
wearing contact lenses. CONTACT YOUR DOCTOR IMMEDIATELY if you experience
calf/leg pain or swelling, trouble breathing or shortness of breath, chest
pain, one-sided weakness, slurred speech, lumps in the breast, sudden severe
headache, sharp or crushing chest pain, sudden shortness of breath, yellowing
skin or eyes, changes in vision, numbness of an arm or leg, or severe stomach
pain. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor, nurse,
or pharmacist.
Drug
interactions
Drug interactions can result
in unwanted side effects or prevent a medicine from doing its job. Use our drug
interaction checker to find out if your medicines interact with each other.
If
you take too much
If overdose is suspected,
contact your local poison control center or emergency room immediately.
Symptoms of overdose may include nausea and vomiting. Females may experience
vaginal bleeding.
Additional
information
DO NOT SHARE THIS MEDICINE
with others for whom it was not prescribed. DO NOT USE THIS MEDICINE for other
health conditions. KEEP THIS MEDICINE out of the reach of children. IF USING
THIS MEDICINE FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME, obtain refills before your supply
runs out.
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