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 greater 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, felbamate, griseofulvin, HIV protease inhibitors (such as ritonavir), hydantoins (such as phenytoin), modafinil, nevirapine, oxcarbazepine, penicillin antibiotics (such as ampicillin), phenylbutazone, pioglitazone, primidone, 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 anticoagulants (such as warfarin), atorvastatin, acetaminophen, ascorbic acid (vitamin C), beta-blockers (such as metoprolol or carvedilol), benzodiazepines (such as temazepam), clofibric acid, corticosteroids (such as prednisolone), cyclosporine, lamotrigine, morphine, salicylic acid, 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, 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. Take this medicine with food if it upsets your stomach. DO NOT REMOVE THE TABLET from the blister packaging until you are ready to take this medicine. BEGIN TAKING THIS MEDICINE on the first Sunday following the start of your period, unless otherwise directed by your doctor. If your period begins on a Sunday, begin taking this medicine on that day. 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. STORE THIS MEDICINE at room temperature between 68 and 77 degrees F (20 and 25 degrees C), away from heat and light. 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. 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. You do not need to use a backup method of birth control if you only miss one dose of this medicine. IF YOU MISS 2 or more doses of this medicine or if you start the pack later than the proper day, you could become pregnant. If you have sex, you must use a backup form of birth control (such as condoms) during the days that you miss a dose of this medicine and for the first 7 days after you begin to take it again. Talk with your doctor for more information or if you have trouble remembering to take this medicine. If you have any questions, contact your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist.
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. You should have a complete physical examination, including blood pressure measurements, breast and pelvic examinations, and a PAP test (for vaginal cancer) at least once a year. Follow your doctor's instructions for examining your own breasts, 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. DURING THE FIRST 7 days of the first cycle of this medicine, you may not be protected from getting pregnant. Use an extra form of birth control (such as condoms) until you have taken this medicine for longer than 7 days. IF YOUR PERIOD DOES NOT COME when expected, or if you experience unusual breast tenderness or symptoms of morning sickness, call your doctor immediately. 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. 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. 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. USE OF THIS MEDICINE WILL NOT PREVENT the spread of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) including HIV. 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 acne; breast tenderness or enlargement; changes in appetite or weight; dizziness; headache; mild hair loss; nausea; nervousness; spotting or breakthrough bleeding; stomach cramps or bloating; or vomiting. 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; difficulty wearing contact lenses; persistent or recurrent vaginal bleeding; persistent or recurring headache or dizziness; swelling of fingers, hands, legs, or ankles; vaginal discomfort or irritation; or unusual vaginal discharge. CONTACT YOUR DOCTOR IMMEDIATELY if you experience a missed menstrual period; breast lump or discharge; calf/leg pain or swelling; chest pain; confusion; coughing up blood; dark urine; fainting; heavy vaginal bleeding; mental or mood changes (such as depression); migraines; numbness of an arm or leg; one-sided weakness; pale stools; severe stomach pain; severe dizziness; slurred speech; sudden severe headache or vomiting; sudden shortness of breath; unusual tiredness or weakness; vision changes (such as loss of vision); or yellowing of the skin or eyes (with or without fever). 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 persistent or severe nausea or vomiting or unexplained vaginal bleeding.
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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