Ethinyl estradiol and levonorgestrel

Generic name: Ethinyl Estradiol And Levonorgestrel
Drug class: Contraceptives

Usage of Ethinyl estradiol and levonorgestrel

Ethinyl estradiol and levonorgestrel is used as contraception to prevent pregnancy. There are many brands and forms of ethinyl estradiol and levonorgestrel available. Not all brands are listed on this leaflet.

Ethinyl estradiol and levonorgestrel may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Ethinyl estradiol and levonorgestrel side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Birth control pills may cause serious side effects. Stop using birth control pills and call your doctor at once if you have:

signs of a stroke--sudden numbness or weakness (especially on one side of the body), severe headache, slurred speech, balance problems;

signs of a blood clot--sudden vision loss, stabbing chest pain, feeling short of breath, coughing up blood, swelling or redness in an arm or leg;

heart attack symptoms--chest pain or pressure, pain spreading to your jaw or shoulder, sweating;

liver problems--loss of appetite, upper stomach pain, tiredness, fever, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes);

increased blood pressure--severe headache, blurred vision, pounding in your neck or ears;

gallbladder problem--chalky-colored stools, stomach pain after eating, nausea, heartburn, bloating, and severe upper stomach pain that may spread to your back;

swelling in your hands, ankles, or feet;

changes in the pattern or severity of migraine headaches;

a breast lump; or

symptoms of depression--sleep problems, weakness, tired feeling, mood changes.

Common side effects of ethinyl estradiol and levonorgestrel may include:

nausea, vomiting (especially when you first start taking this medicine);

breast tenderness;

breakthrough bleeding;

acne, darkening of facial skin;

weight gain; or

problems with contact lenses.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Before taking Ethinyl estradiol and levonorgestrel

Taking this medicine can increase your risk of blood clots, stroke, or heart attack. You are even more at risk if you have high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol, or if you are overweight. Your risk of stroke or blood clot is highest during your first year of taking birth control pills. Your risk is also high when you restart this medicine after not taking it for 4 weeks or longer.

Smoking can greatly increase your risk of blood clots, stroke, or heart attack. Your risk increases the older you are and the more you smoke. You should not take combination birth control pills if you smoke and are over 35 years old.

Do not use if you are pregnant. Stop using this medicine and tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant, or if you miss two menstrual periods in a row. If you have recently had a baby, wait at least 4 weeks before taking birth control pills.

You should not take birth control pills if you have:

untreated or uncontrolled high blood pressure;

heart disease (chest pain, coronary artery disease, history of heart attack, stroke, or blood clot);

an increased risk of having blood clots due to a heart problem or a hereditary blood disorder;

circulation problems (especially if caused by diabetes);

a history of hormone-related cancer, or cancer of the breast, uterus/cervix, or vagina;

unusual vaginal bleeding that has not been checked by a doctor;

liver disease or liver cancer;

severe migraine headaches (with aura, numbness, weakness, or vision changes), especially if you are older than 35;

a history of jaundice caused by pregnancy or birth control pills; or

if you take any hepatitis C medication containing ombitasvir/paritaprevir/ritonavir (Technivie).

Tell your doctor if you have ever had:

heart disease, high blood pressure, or if you are prone to having blood clots;

high cholesterol or triglycerides, or if you are overweight;

depression;

a seizure or migraine headache;

diabetes, gallbladder disease;

liver or kidney disease;

irregular menstrual cycles; or

fibrocystic breast disease, lumps, nodules, or an abnormal mammogram.

Ethinyl estradiol and levonorgestrel can slow breast milk production. You should not breastfeed while using this medicine.

Relate drugs

How to use Ethinyl estradiol and levonorgestrel

Usual Adult Dose for Contraception:

Oral tablets: 1 tablet orally once a day at the same time each day in the order directed on the blister packTransdermal System: Four week cycle: Apply 1 patch once a week for 3 consecutive weeks; no patch is to be worn during week 4, cycle is then repeatedComments: -To achieve maximal contraceptive efficacy, tablets should be taken at intervals not exceeding 24 hours.-Tablets may be started on the first Sunday after the onset of menstruation (Sunday Start) or on Day 1 of menstruation (Day 1 Start).-The first transdermal system should be applied during the first 24 hours of menstruation. Use: To prevent pregnancy. --Transdermal use is for women with a body mass index (BMI) of less than 30 kg/m2 as those with a BMI of 30 kg/m2 or greater may have reduced efficacy and may be at higher risk for venous thromboembolism events; consider reduced effectiveness in women with a BMI of 25 to less than 30 kg/m2

Usual Pediatric Dose for Contraception:

For postmenarchal females: Oral tablets: 1 tablet orally once a day at the same time each day in the order directed on the blister packTransdermal System: Four week cycle: Apply 1 patch once a week for 3 consecutive weeks; no patch is to be worn during week 4, cycle is then repeatedComments: -To achieve maximal contraceptive efficacy, tablets should be taken at intervals not exceeding 24 hours.-Tablets may be started on the first Sunday after the onset of menstruation (Sunday Start) or on Day 1 of menstruation (Day 1 Start).-The first transdermal system should be applied during the first 24 hours of menstruation. Use: To prevent pregnancy. --Transdermal use is for women with a body mass index (BMI) of less than 30 kg/m2 as those with a BMI of 30 kg/m2 or greater may have reduced efficacy and may be at higher risk for venous thromboembolism events; consider reduced effectiveness in women with a BMI of 25 to less than 30 kg/m2

Warnings

Do not use birth control pills if you are pregnant or if you have recently had a baby.

You should not use birth control pills if you have: uncontrolled high blood pressure, heart disease, coronary artery disease, circulation problems (especially with diabetes), undiagnosed vaginal bleeding, liver disease or liver cancer, severe migraine headaches, if you also take certain hepatitis C medication, if you will have major surgery, if you smoke and are over 35, or if you have ever had a heart attack, a stroke, a blood clot, jaundice caused by pregnancy or birth control pills, or cancer of the breast, uterus/cervix, or vagina.

Taking birth control pills can increase your risk of blood clots, stroke, or heart attack.

Smoking can greatly increase your risk of blood clots, stroke, or heart attack. You should not take ethinyl estradiol and levonorgestrel if you smoke and are over 35 years old.

What other drugs will affect Ethinyl estradiol and levonorgestrel

Other drugs may interact with birth control pills, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Some drugs can make birth control pills less effective, which may result in pregnancy. Tell your doctor about all your current medicines and any medicine you start or stop using.

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