ortho novum 1
Ethinyl Estradiol and Levonorgestrel(ETH in ill ess tra DYE ole and LEE voe nor jess trel)
Alesse, Aviane, Levlen, Levlite, Levora, Tri-Levlen, Triphasil, Triphasil-28,Trivora
What is the most important information I should know about Alesse?
• Take your pill at the same time every day ortho novum 1. Each dose should come no morethan 24 hours after the last dose ortho novum 1.
• Avoid smoking cigarettes while taking Alesse ortho novum 1. Smoking greatly increasesthe risk of having a heart attack, stroke, or blood clot ortho novum 1.
• Use another form of birth control if you miss several doses (see thepackage insert) or if you are taking drugs that decrease the effectiveness ofAlesse (see the section of this leaflet titled "What other drugs will affectAlesse?") ortho novum 1.
What are Alesse?
• Alesse contains a combination of hormones that is used to prevent ovulation(the release of an egg from an ovary) ortho novum 1. The pills contain a form of estrogenand a form of progesterone, which are both female hormones involved in conception ortho novum 1.
• Alesse also have other effects that inhibit pregnancy ortho novum 1. They cause thecervical mucous to thicken, which makes it harder for sperm to move toward theuterus, and they prevent the attachment of an egg to the uterus ortho novum 1.
• Alesse is used to prevent pregnancy ortho novum 1.
• Alesse may also be used for purposes other than those listed in thismedication guide ortho novum 1.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking Alesse?
• Before taking this medication, tell your doctor if you
· have high blood pressure, angina, or heart disease;
· have had a stroke;
· have a bleeding or blood-clotting disorder;
· have breast, uterine, or another hormone-related cancer;
· have liver disease or a history of jaundice (yellowing of the skinand eyes) caused by use of birth control in the past;
· have undiagnosed, abnormal vaginal bleeding;
· have migraines;
· have asthma; or
· have seizures or epilepsy ortho novum 1.
• You may not be able to take Alesse, or you may require a lower dose orspecial monitoring during treatment if you have any of the conditions listedabove ortho novum 1.
• Alesse is in the FDA pregnancy category X ortho novum 1. This means that Alesse willcause birth defects in an unborn baby ortho novum 1. Hormonal changes during pregnancy canhave very serious negative effects on a developing baby ortho novum 1. Do not take Alesseif you are pregnant or if you think you might be pregnant ortho novum 1.
• The hormones in Alesse pass into breast milk and may decrease milk production ortho novum 1. Do not take Alesse without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feedinga baby ortho novum 1.
How should I take Alesse?
• Take Alesse exactly as directed by your doctor ortho novum 1. If you do not understandthese directions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explain them to you ortho novum 1.
• Take the first pill in a package on the first Sunday after your periodbegins (unless otherwise directed by your doctor) ortho novum 1.
• Take one pill every day, no more than 24 hours after your last dose ortho novum 1. Try to take the pills at a time that you will remember every day--for examplejust before bed, with a meal, or first thing in the morning ortho novum 1.
• Taking your pill at night may help to reduce any nausea or headache thatyou may experience because of the hormones ortho novum 1.
• If you are on a 28-day cycle, take one pill every day ortho novum 1. When the packruns out, throw it away ortho novum 1. Begin a new pack the following day ortho novum 1. The 28-day cyclecontains seven pills that are either placebos (with no active ingredients) oriron supplements ortho novum 1. These are "reminder" pills to keep you on your regularcycle ortho novum 1. They are taken while you are menstruating ortho novum 1.
• If you are on a 21-day cycle, take one pill every day for 21 days, thendo not take any pills for 7 days ortho novum 1. You should have your period during the 7 dayswith no pills ortho novum 1. Resume your pills on the 8th day with a new package ortho novum 1.
• Follow your doctor's instructions about using a second form of birthcontrol when you first start taking Alesse, when you are taking antibiotics,or if you miss a pill ortho novum 1. If you are unsure what to do in any of these cases, talkto your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor about how to ensure that you will not becomepregnant ortho novum 1.
• Store Alesse at room temperature away from moisture and heat ortho novum 1.
What happens if I miss a dose?
• Missing a pill increases the risk of becoming pregnant ortho novum 1.
• Follow the exact directions on your package information insert concerningmissed doses ortho novum 1. If you do not have a package information insert, call your pharmacist,doctor, or nurse to find out what to do ortho novum 1.
• In general:
• If you miss one dose, take it as soon as you remember or take two pillsat the time of your next regularly scheduled dose ortho novum 1. There is little likelihoodthat ovulation will occur ortho novum 1. You may, however, want to use a second method ofbirth control such as a condom or a spermicidal cream, jelly, or foam for atleast seven consecutive days following the missed tablet to ensure protectionfrom pregnancy ortho novum 1.
• If you miss two tablets in a row, take the two missed tablets as soonas you remember or with your next regularly scheduled dose (three total) ortho novum 1. Or,you may take two tablets each for the next two regularly scheduled doses (onemissed tablet plus one regularly scheduled tablet for 2 days in a row) ortho novum 1. Chancesare much greater that you may ovulate so you must use another form of birthcontrol for at least 7 days following the missed tablets ortho novum 1. It is even betterto use a second method of birth control until your next period ortho novum 1.
• If you miss three tablets in a row, throw away the package and starta new package on the 7th day after the last day you took a pill ortho novum 1. Use anothermethod of birth control until you have taken a pill for 7 days in a row ortho novum 1. Yourperiod should occur during the 7 days without pills ortho novum 1. If it doesn't, have a pregnancytest before beginning a new package of pills ortho novum 1.
• Read all of the information in your package information insert ortho novum 1. It mayhave slightly different instructions in the case of missed pills ortho novum 1. Talk to yourpharmacist, nurse, or doctor if you have any questions ortho novum 1.
What happens if I overdose?
• Death is not likely to occur from an overdose of Alesse ortho novum 1. Consult a doctor,an emergency room, or a poison control center for advice ortho novum 1.
• Symptoms of an overdose include nausea, vomiting, and menstrual bleeding ortho novum 1.
What should I avoid while taking Alesse?
• Avoid smoking ortho novum 1. Smoking greatly increases your risk of a heart attack,stroke, or blood clot formation ortho novum 1.
• Alesse do not protect you from sexually transmitted diseases--includingHIV and AIDS ortho novum 1. Using a condom is the only way to protect yourself from thesediseases ortho novum 1.
What are the possible side effects of Alesse?
• If you experience any of the following serious side effects, stop takingAlesse and seek emergency medical attention:
· an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of your throat;swelling of your lips, tongue, or face; or hives);
· a blood clot in the lung (shortness of breath or pain in the chest);
· a blood clot in an arm or leg (pain, redness, swelling, or numbnessof an arm or leg);
· high blood pressure (severe headache, flushing, blurred vision); or
· liver damage (yellowing of the skin or eyes, nausea, abdominal painor discomfort, unusual bleeding or bruising, severe fatigue) ortho novum 1.
• Other, less serious side effects may be more likely to occur ortho novum 1. Continueto take Alesse and talk to your doctor if you experience
· headache or dizziness;
· nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea;
· breakthrough bleeding; or
· breast tenderness ortho novum 1.
• These side effects may disappear or be less noticeable after 3 to 6 monthsof birth control use ortho novum 1. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice if you find anyside effect very bothersome ortho novum 1.
• The side effects listed below generally occur very rarely and are notconsidered serious ortho novum 1. If you experience any of the following, talk to your doctor:
· depression,
· changes in weight or appetite,
· vaginal yeast infection,
· changes in your menstrual cycle,
· oily skin or acne,
· changes in your sex drive,
· lethargy or fatigue,
· bloating,
· changes in your skin color, or
· changes in your blood sugar ortho novum 1.
• Side effects other than those listed here may also occur ortho novum 1. Talk to yourdoctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome ortho novum 1.
What other drugs will affect Alesse?
• Some drugs may decrease the effectiveness of Alesse, which may resultin pregnancy ortho novum 1. Use a second form of birth control if you are taking
· a penicillin antibiotic such as amoxicillin (Amoxil, Polymox, Trimox,Wymox, Utimox, A-Cillin, Larotid, Augmentin, others), ampicillin (Principen,Omnipen, Penamp, Polycillin, Amplin, Amcill, Totacillin, others), bacampicillin(Spectrobid), carbenicillin (Geocillin), cloxacillin (Cloxapen, Tegopen), dicloxacillin(Dynapen, Dycill, Pathocil), nafcillin (Nafcil, Nallpen, Unipen), oxacillin(Bactocill, Prostphlin), or penicillin (Veetids, Pen Vee K, Bicillin, Permapen,others);
· a tetracycline antibiotic such as demeclocycline (Declomycin), doxycycline(Doryx, Doxy, Vibramycin, Vibra-Tabs, others), minocycline (Minocin), or tetracycline(Sumycin, Teracyn, Achromycin, Robitet, Panmycin, others);
· a barbiturate such as amobarbital (Amytal), butabarbital (Butisol),mephobarbital (Mebaral), secobarbital (Seconal), or phenobarbital (Luminal,Solfoton);
· rifampin (Rifadin);
· phenytoin (Dilantin);
· carbamazepine (Tegretol); or
· griseofulvin (Grisactin, Grifulvin V, Fulvicin PG) ortho novum 1.
• Drugs other than those listed here may also interact with Alesse ortho novum 1. Talkto your doctor and pharmacist before taking any prescription or over-the-countermedicines ortho novum 1.
Where can I get more information?
• Your pharmacist has additional information about Alesse written for healthprofessionals that you may read ortho novum 1.
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