Ethinyl Estradiol; Levonorgestrel
$9.95
Description
About Ethinyl Estradiol Levonorgestrel
Ethinyl Estradiol Levonorgestrel combination of hormone medication is used to prevent pregnancy. Levonorgestrel and Ethinyl Estradiol contain 2 hormones: progestin and estrogen. Levonorgestrel tablets work mainly by preventing the release of an egg (ovulation) during your menstrual cycle. Moreover, the Levonorgestrel birth control pill also makes vaginal fluid thicker to help prevent sperm from reaching an egg (fertilization) and changes the lining of the uterus (womb) to prevent attachment of a fertilized egg. If a fertilized egg does not attach to the uterus, it passes out of the body Besides preventing pregnancy, birth control pill types may make your periods more regular, decrease blood loss and painful periods, decrease your risk of ovarian cysts, and also treat acne.
Using this medication does not protect you or your partner against sexually transmitted diseases (such as HIV, gonorrhea, chlamydia).
How to use
Read the Patient Information Leaflet provided by your pharmacist before you start using Ethinyl Estradiol Levonorgestrel and each time you get a refill. The leaflet contains very important information on when to take your pills and what to do if you miss a dose. If you have any questions, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
- Take Levonorgestrel and Ethinyl Estradiol by mouth as directed by your doctor
- Usually once daily.
- Pick a time of day that is easy for you to remember, and take your pill at the same time each day.
- Taking Levonorgestrel tablets after your evening meal or at bedtime may help if you have stomach upset or nausea with the medication.
- It is very important that you take the Levonorgestrel birth control pill at the same time each day, 24 hours apart.
It is very important to continue taking birth control pill types exactly as prescribed by your doctor. With certain brands of birth control pill types, the amount of estrogen and progestin in each active tablet will vary at different times in the cycle. Therefore, it is very important that you follow the package instructions to find the first tablet, start with the first tablet in the pack, and take them in the correct order. Do not skip any doses. Pregnancy is more likely if you miss pills, start a new pack late, or take your pill at a different time of the day than usual.
Vomiting or diarrhea can prevent your birth control pill types from working well. If you have vomiting or diarrhea, you may need to use a backup birth control method (such as condoms, spermicide). Follow the directions in the Patient Information Leaflet and check with your doctor or pharmacist for more details.
Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions.
How to take a pill
Your pill pack contains 21 pills with active medication. It may also contain 7 reminder pills with no medication. Take one active pill (with hormones) once daily for 21 days in a row. If you are using a product with 28 tablets, take an inactive pill once daily for 7 days in a row after you have taken the last active pill unless otherwise directed by your doctor. If you are using a product with 21 tablets, do not take any tablets for 7 days unless otherwise directed by your doctor. You should have your period during the fourth week of the cycle. After you have taken the last inactive tablet in the pack or gone 7 days without taking an active tablet, start a new pack the next day whether or not you have your period. If you do not get your period, consult your doctor.
Ask your doctor or pharmacist about how to switch from other forms of hormonal birth control (such as patches, other birth control pills) to Levonorgestrel tablets. If any information is unclear, consult the Patient Information Leaflet or your doctor or pharmacist.
Side effects
- Nausea, vomiting
- headache
- bloating
- breast tenderness
- swelling of the ankles/feet (fluid retention)
- weight change
- Vaginal bleeding between periods (spotting)
- missed/irregular periods
If any of these Levonorgestrel birth control pill effects persist or worsen, tell your doctor or pharmacist promptly. If you miss 2 periods in a row (or 1 period if the pill has not been used properly), contact your doctor for a pregnancy test.
Remember that your doctor has prescribed Ethinyl Estradiol Levonorgestrel because he or she has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects. Many people using Levonorgestrel and Ethinyl Estradiol do not have serious side effects.
Levonorgestrel tablets may raise your blood pressure. Check your blood pressure regularly and tell your doctor if the results are high.
Some serious and rare side effects
Tell your doctor right away if you have any serious Levonorgestrel birth control pill side effects, including lumps in the breast, mental/mood changes (such as new/worsening depression), severe stomach/abdominal pain, unusual changes in vaginal bleeding (such as continuous spotting, sudden heavy bleeding, missed periods), dark urine, yellowing eyes/skin.
Levonorgestrel and Ethinyl Estradiol may rarely cause serious (sometimes fatal) problems from blood clots (such as deep vein thrombosis, heart attack, pulmonary embolism, stroke). Get medical help right away if any of these side effects occur: chest/jaw/left arm pain, confusion, sudden dizziness/fainting, pain/swelling/warmth in the groin/calf, slurred speech, sudden shortness of breath/rapid breathing, unusual headaches (including headaches with vision changes/lack of coordination, worsening of migraines, sudden/very severe headaches), unusual sweating, weakness on one side of the body, vision problems/changes (such as double vision, partial/complete blindness).
A very serious allergic reaction to birth control pill types is rare. However, get medical help right away.
Warnings & Precautions
- Before using Ethinyl Estradiol Levonorgestrel, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to any estrogens.
- Before using Levonorgestrel and Ethinyl Estradiol, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history.
- Tell your doctor if you just had or will be having surgery or if you will be confined to a bed or chair for a long time.
If you have diabetes, Levonorgestrel tablets may affect your blood sugar. Check your blood sugar regularly as directed and share the results with your doctor. Tell your doctor right away if you have symptoms of high blood sugar such as increased thirst/urination. Your doctor may need to adjust your diabetes medication, exercise program, or diet.
Levonorgestrel birth control pill may cause blotchy, dark areas on your face and skin (melasma). Sunlight may worsen this effect. Limit your time in the sun. Avoid tanning booths and sunlamps. Use sunscreen and wear protective clothing when outdoors.
If you are nearsighted or wear contact lenses, you may develop vision problems or trouble wearing your contact lenses. Contact your eye doctor if these problems occur.
It may take longer for you to become pregnant after you stop taking birth control pills. Consult your doctor.
Levonorgestrel and Ethinyl Estradiol should not be used during pregnancy. If you become pregnant or think you may be pregnant, tell your doctor right away. If you have just given birth or had a pregnancy loss/abortion after the first 3 months, talk with your doctor about reliable forms of birth control, and find out when it is safe to start using birth control that contains a form of estrogen, such as this medication.
This medication may decrease breast milk production. A small amount passes into breast milk and may have undesirable effects on a nursing infant. Consult your doctor before breastfeeding.
Storage
Store at room temperature away from light and moisture. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep all medications away from children and pets.
Do not flush medications down the toilet or pour them into a drain unless instructed to do so. Properly discard this product when it is expired or no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company.
Drug interactions
Drug interactions may change how your levonorgestrel tablets work or increase your risk for serious side effects. This document does not contain all possible drug interactions. Keep a list of all the products you use (including prescription/nonprescription drugs and herbal products) and share it with your doctor and pharmacist. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicines without your doctor’s approval.
Some products that may interact with this drug include aromatase inhibitors (such as anastrozole, exemestane), ospemifene, tamoxifen, tizanidine, tranexamic acid, certain combination products used to treat chronic hepatitis C (ombitasvir/paritaprevir/ritonavir with or without dasabuvir).