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Chemical Name: DESOGESTREL (des-oh-JES-trel) and ETHINYL ESTRADIOL (ETH-in-il
ess-tra-DYE-ole)
This medicine is a triphasic oral contraceptive (birth control pill) containing
estrogen and progestin hormones. It is used to prevent pregnancy. This medicine
may be used for other conditions as determined by your doctor.
WARNING: Smoking increases your risk of serious side effects from this medicine
including blood clots, blockage of blood vessels, heart attack, stroke, and high
blood pressure. Women who use this medicine should not smoke. 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 troleandomycin,
nevirapine, rifampin, or St. John's wort. ADDITIONAL MONITORING OF YOUR DOSE OR
CONDITION may be needed if you are taking carbamazepine, griseofulvin, modafinil,
phenylbutazone, theophylline, troglitazone, barbiturate medicines,
beta-blockers, penicillin or tetracycline antibiotics, corticosteroids, medicine
for seizures, or medicines for HIV infection. Inform your doctor of any other
medical conditions, allergies, pregnancy, or breast-feeding. USE OF THIS
MEDICINE IS NOT RECOMMENDED if you have unexplained vaginal bleeding, chest pain
(angina), or a history of blood clots, heart attack, stroke, cancer, or a liver,
heart, or vascular condition. 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 A PATIENT INFORMATION LEAFLET. Read it carefully. Ask your
doctor, nurse, or pharmacist any questions that you may have before taking this
medicine. TAKE THIS MEDICINE at the same time every day, not more than 24 hours
apart. Continue taking this medicine until the pack is empty. DO NOT SKIP ANY
DOSES even if you feel sick to your stomach or have spotting or light bleeding.
STORE THIS MEDICINE at room temperature at 25 degrees C (77 degrees F), away
from heat and light. IF YOU MISS A DOSE OF THIS MEDICINE, take it as soon as you
remember. Take the next dose at the regular time even if this means you take 2
doses on the same day. IF YOU MISS MORE THAN 1 DOSE OF THIS MEDICINE, refer to
the patient information leaflet that came with this medicine or check with your
doctor or pharmacist.
TAKING THIS MEDICINE WILL NOT PROTECT YOU FROM HIV infection (AIDS) or other
sexually transmitted diseases. MISSING DOSES OR STARTING A PACK OF THIS MEDICINE
LATE increases your risk of pregnancy. To prevent pregnancy, be sure you have
ready at all times another form of birth control to use as a back-up in case you
miss pills. IF IRREGULAR VAGINAL BLEEDING OR SPOTTING OCCURS during more than
one cycle or lasts for more than a few days, check with your doctor. IF YOU DO
NOT HAVE A PERIOD for one or more cycles, make sure you are not pregnant or
check with your doctor before continuing 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. IF YOU HAVE
VOMITING OR DIARRHEA OR IF YOU TAKE CERTAIN MEDICINES including some
antibiotics, anticonvulsants, antifungals, and other drugs that decrease the
contraceptive effectiveness of this medicine, use an additional form of birth
control until your next period. BEFORE YOU BEGIN TAKING ANY NEW MEDICINE, either
prescription or over-the-counter, check with your doctor or pharmacist. This
includes herbal products containing St. John's Wort (hypericum perforatum). IF
YOU WEAR CONTACT LENSES and you develop problems with them, contact your eye
doctor. KEEP ALL DOCTOR AND LABORATORY appointments while you are taking this
medicine. BEFORE YOU HAVE ANY MEDICAL OR DENTAL TREATMENTS, EMERGENCY CARE, OR
SURGERY, tell the doctor or dentist that you are using this medicine. DO NOT
TAKE 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 using this medicine.
SIDE EFFECTS that may occur while taking this medicine include nausea, vomiting,
weight gain, breast tenderness, headache, change in menstrual flow, and areas of
darkening or spotting on skin. If they continue or are bothersome, check with
your doctor. CHECK WITH YOUR DOCTOR AS SOON AS POSSIBLE if you experience
bleeding or spotting between periods in more than one cycle or lasting more than
a few days; swelling of fingers or ankles; unusual weight gain; leg pain or
swelling; stomach pain or tenderness; change or lump in breast; depressed mood;
unexplained fever or tiredness; or yellowing of the skin or eyes. CONTACT YOUR
DOCTOR IMMEDIATELY if you experience sudden severe headache, vomiting,
dizziness, or fainting; sudden loss or change in vision or speech; weakness or
numbness in an arm or leg; confusion; chest tightness or heaviness; sharp or
crushing chest pain; sudden shortness of breath; coughing blood; or severe
stomach or back pain. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your
doctor, nurse, or pharmacist.
IF OVERDOSE IS SUSPECTED, contact your local poison control center or emergency
room immediately. Symptoms of overdose may include nausea, vomiting, and vaginal
bleeding in females.
IF YOU HAVE TROUBLE REMEMBERING to take this medicine, discuss with your doctor,
nurse, or pharmacist ways to help you remember or ask about other forms of birth
control that may work better for you. 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 YOU WILL BE
USING THIS MEDICINE FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME, be sure to obtain necessary
refills before your supply runs out.
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