Learn more about usage, cautions, and possible side effects .
Chemical Name: LEVONORGESTREL (LEE-voe-nor-jess-trel) and ETHINYL ESTRADIOL (ETH-in-il ess-tra-DYE-ole)
This medicine is an extended-cycle contraceptive pill (birth control pill) containing a progestin and an estrogen. This medicine is used to prevent pregnancy. It may be used to treat other conditions as determined by your doctor.
WARNING: SMOKING CIGARETTES WHILE USING THIS MEDICINE INCREASES YOUR CHANCE OF HAVING SERIOUS HEART PROBLEMS. DO NOT SMOKE WHILE USING THIS MEDICINE. The risk of heart problems increases with age and with frequent smoking. Women older than 35 years of age and women who smoke 15 or more cigarettes per day are at a greater risk for heart problems. 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. AN ADDITIONAL FORM OF BIRTH CONTROL (such as condoms) may be needed if you are also taking azole antifungal medicines (such as ketoconazole or itraconazole), aprepitant, bosentan, barbiturates (such as phenobarbital), carbamazepine, dexamethasone, felbamate, griseofulvin, HIV protease inhibitors (such as ritonavir), hydantoins (such as phenytoin), modafinil, nevirapine, oxcarbazepine, penicillin antibiotics (such as ampicillin), phenylbutazone, primidone, rifabutin, rifampin, tetracycline antibiotics (such as doxycycline), topiramate, troglitazone, or St. John's wort. An increased risk of pregnancy has been identified when taking these medicines with birth-control pills. Check with your doctor or pharmacist for more information. ADDITIONAL MONITORING OF YOUR DOSE OR CONDITION may be needed if you are taking beta-blockers (such as metoprolol or carvedilol), corticosteroids (such as prednisolone), lamotrigine, theophylline, tizanidine, or troleandomycin. DO NOT START OR STOP any medicine without doctor or pharmacist approval. Inform your doctor of any other medical conditions including a history of abnormal mammogram, blood or bleeding problems (such as blood in the urine), breast problems (such as lumps or fibrocystic disease), chorea (jerky, involuntary movements of the face, arms, or legs), diabetes or high blood sugar, endometriosis, gallbladder problems, growths in the uterus, irregular menstrual periods, lupus, mental or mood problems (such as depression), persistent headaches or migraines, heart problems, high blood calcium levels, high cholesterol or triglyceride levels in the blood, high blood pressure, kidney or liver problems, obesity, pancreas problems, recent surgery, seizures, swelling problems, tobacco use, varicose veins, yellowing of the eyes or skin, allergies, pregnancy, breast-feeding, or if a family member has had breast cancer. USE OF THIS MEDICINE IS NOT RECOMMENDED if you have a history of blood clots (such as clots in the lungs, legs, or eyes); certain blood problems (such as porphyria); breast, endometrial, cervical, or vaginal cancer; certain heart problems (such as heart valve problems or irregular heartbeat); chest pain caused by angina; blood vessel problems (such as bleeding in the brain, heart attack, or stroke); certain types of severe headaches; diabetes that affects circulation; estrogen-dependent growths; active liver disease; liver tumors; uncontrolled high blood pressure; abnormal or undiagnosed vaginal bleeding; if you have given birth within the last 4 weeks; if you have had surgery and will be confined to a bed or chair for an extended period of time; or if you have a history of yellowing of the eyes or skin caused by pregnancy or prior hormonal contraceptive use. USE OF THIS MEDICINE IN CHILDREN who have not yet had their first menstrual period is not recommended. Discuss with your doctor the risks and benefits of giving this medicine to your child. Contact your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions or concerns about taking this medicine.
Follow the directions for using this medicine provided by your doctor. THIS MEDICINE COMES with an additional patient information leaflet. Read it carefully. Ask your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist any questions that you may have about using this medicine. If stomach upset occurs, take this medicine with food to reduce stomach irritation. DO NOT REMOVE THE TABLET from the blister packaging until you are ready to take this medicine. BEGIN TAKING THIS MEDICINE during the first 24 hours of your period, unless otherwise directed by your doctor. TRY TO TAKE THIS MEDICINE at the same time every day, not more than 24 hours apart. After taking the last pill in the pack, start taking the first pill from a new pack the very next day. IF YOU ARE SWITCHING FROM ANOTHER FORM OF HORMONAL BIRTH CONTROL TO THIS MEDICINE, be sure you know when you should start taking this medicine. Check with your doctor if you have any questions. BLEEDING OR SPOTTING may occur while taking this medicine. DO NOT STOP taking this medicine if this occurs. If bleeding or spotting continues for more than 7 days or is heavy, contact your doctor. STORE THIS MEDICINE at room temperature at 77 degrees F (25 degrees C), away from heat and light. Brief storage between 59 and 86 degrees F (15 and 30 degrees C) is permitted. FOR THIS MEDICINE TO BE EFFECTIVE IT MUST BE TAKEN EVERY DAY. Do not skip doses even if you are spotting, bleeding or nauseous, or even if you do not have sex very often. Check with your doctor if you have these side effects. IF YOU VOMIT WITHIN 4 HOURS OF TAKING THIS MEDICINE, follow the directions for what to do if you miss a pill. IF YOU MISS 1 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, read the extra patient information leaflet that comes with this medicine or contact your doctor for instructions. IF YOU MISS 1 OR MORE DOSES OF THIS MEDICINE, you must use a backup form of birth control for 7 days after you start to take it again. If you are not sure about how to handle missed doses, use an extra form of birth control (eg, condoms) and talk with your doctor.
DO NOT TAKE THIS MEDICINE if you have had an allergic reaction to it or are allergic to any ingredient in the product. KEEP ALL DOCTOR AND LABORATORY APPOINTMENTS while you are taking this medicine. THIS MEDICINE MAY AFFECT CERTAIN LAB TEST RESULTS. Make sure laboratory personnel and your doctors know you use this medicine. Laboratory and/or medical tests, including breast exams, Pap tests, physicals, and blood pressure may be performed to monitor your progress. EXAMINE YOUR BREASTS MONTHLY AS DIRECTED BY YOUR DOCTOR, and report any lumps immediately. BEFORE YOU HAVE ANY MEDICAL OR DENTAL TREATMENTS, EMERGENCY CARE, OR SURGERY, tell the doctor or dentist that you are using this medicine. If you will be having surgery or will be confined to a chair or bed for a long period of time (e.g., a long plane flight), notify your doctor 4 weeks beforehand. This medicine may cause dizziness. DO NOT DRIVE, OPERATE MACHINERY, OR DO ANYTHING ELSE THAT COULD BE DANGEROUS until you know how you react to this medicine. Using this medicine alone, with other medicines, or with alcohol may lessen your ability to drive or to perform other potentially dangerous tasks. YOU COULD BECOME PREGNANT IF YOU MISS 2 OR MORE DOSES OF THIS MEDICINE or if you start the pack later than the proper day. If you have sex, you must use another form of birth control as a backup (eg, condoms) during the days that you miss doses and for the first 7 days after you begin to take it again. Talk with you doctor for more information. IF YOUR PERIOD DOES NOT COME when expected, or if you experience unusual breast tenderness or symptoms of morning sickness, call your doctor immediately. DO NOT SMOKE OR USE OTHER TOBACCO PRODUCTS while using this medicine. IF YOU WEAR CONTACT LENSES and you develop problems with them or with your vision, 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. You may experience a delay in being able to become pregnant after stopping this medicine. Check with your doctor if you have any concerns. THE EFFECTIVESS OF THIS MEDICINE may be decreased by certain medicines or conditions (such as antibiotics, medicines for seizures, St. John's wort, or prolonged vomiting or diarrhea). If any of these apply to you and you have sex, use an additional form of birth control to prevent pregnancy. If you have any questions, contact your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist. BEFORE YOU BEGIN TAKING ANY NEW MEDICINE, either prescription or over-the-counter, check with your doctor or pharmacist. 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. DO NOT BREAST-FEED while you are taking this medicine. IF YOU HAVE DIABETES, this medicine may affect your blood sugar. Check blood sugar levels closely and ask your doctor before adjusting the dose of your diabetes medicine.
SIDE EFFECTS that may occur while you are taking this medicine include breast tenderness, changes in appetite, dizziness, headache, mild hair loss, nausea, nervousness, vaginal spotting or breakthrough bleeding, vomiting, or weight gain. If they continue or are bothersome, check with your doctor. CHECK WITH YOUR DOCTOR AS SOON AS POSSIBLE if you experience change in the amount of urine produced; persistent vaginal spotting; persistent, severe, or recurring headache or dizziness; swelling of fingers, hands, legs, or ankles; or vaginal irritation, discharge, or odor. CONTACT YOUR DOCTOR IMMEDIATELY if you experience breast discharge; breast lumps; calf or leg pain, swelling, or tenderness; chest pain or heaviness; confusion; coughing of blood; dark urine; fainting; mental or mood changes (such as depression); migraines; numbness of an arm or leg; one-sided weakness; pale stools; severe pain or tenderness in the stomach; shortness of breath; slurred speech; sudden severe headache or vomiting; unusual or severe vaginal bleeding; unusual tiredness or weakness; vision changes (such as sudden vision loss, double vision); or yellowing of the skin or eyes. AN ALLERGIC REACTION to this medicine is unlikely, but seek immediate medical attention if it occurs. Symptoms of an allergic reaction include rash, itching, swelling, severe dizziness, or trouble breathing. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist. This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, contact your healthcare provider. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
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. Check drug interactions
If overdose is suspected contact your local poison control center or emergency room immediately. Symptoms of overdose may include severe dizziness, nausea, or vomiting; stomach pain; unusual drowsiness or tiredness; or unusual vaginal bleeding.
USE OF THIS MEDICINE WILL NOT PREVENT the spread of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) including HIV. 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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