Information on Prescription SeasonaleBEFORE USING THIS MEDICINE: WARNING: Smoking cigarettes while using this medicine increases your chance of having 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. DO NOT TAKE THIS MEDICINE if you are also taking azole antifungal medicines such as ketoconazole or itraconazole, aprepitant, bosetan, barbiturates, griseofulvin, carbamazepine, topiramate, tetracycline antibiotics, hydantoins such as phenytoin, St. John's wort, or rifampin without talking with your doctor. 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 benzodiazepines, corticosteroids, felbamate, HIV protease inhibitors, nevirapine, modafinil, beta-blockers such as metoprolol or carvedilol, lamotrigine, pioglitazone, penicillin antibiotics, theophylline, troglitazone, troleandomycin, or medicine for seizures. Inform your doctor of any other medical conditions including cancer, diabetes, headaches or migraines, high triglyceride level in the blood, high blood pressure, recent surgery, allergies, pregnancy, or breast-feeding. USE OF THIS MEDICINE IS NOT RECOMMENDED if you have a history of problems with the blood vessels in the brain or heart, heart valve problems, heart attack, uncontrolled high blood pressure, abnormal or undiagnosed vaginal bleeding, certain cancers including breast cancer, serious liver problems, blood clots, certain blood disorders such as porphyria, stroke, or smoking. Contact your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions or concerns about taking this medicine. HOW TO USE 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 using 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. IF YOU MISS A 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. IF YOU MISS 2 active pills in a row, take 2 pills on the day you remember, and 2 pillsthe next day. Then return to your regular dosing schedule. You must use another form of birth control as a back-up (such as condoms or spermicides) for 7 days if you miss 2 pills in a row. If you miss 3 or more active pills in a row, leave the missed pills in the pack. Keep taking 1 pill every day until you have completed the pack. You must use another form of birth control as a back-up for 7 days. If you miss taking any of the inactive pills, throw them away. Finish the rest of the pills in the pack on schedule. You do not need a back-up method of birth control if you miss any of the inactive pills. If you have any questions, contact your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist. CAUTIONS: 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. This medicine may affect certain lab test results. Make sure laboratory personnel and your doctors know you use 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 3 to 4 weeks beforehand. Special precautions may need to be taken in these circumstances while you are taking this medicine. IF YOU MISS YOUR PERIOD during the week of inactive pills, call your doctor immediately. A missed period may indicate that you are pregnant. 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. IF YOU WEAR CONTACT LENSES and you develop problems with them, 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. BEFORE YOU BEGIN TAKING ANY NEW MEDICINE, either prescription or over-the-counter, check with your doctor or pharmacist. TAKING CERTAIN ANTIBIOTICS or anticonvulsants while you are using this medicine may decrease the effectiveness of this medicine. To prevent pregnancy, use an additional form of birth control until your next period. If you have any questions, contact your doctor, nurse, 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. POSSIBLE SIDE EFFECTS: SIDE effects, that may go away during treatment, include nausea, vomiting, bleeding between menstrual periods, vaginal discomfort or irritation, increased vaginal discharge, breast tenderness, or weight change. If they continue or are bothersome, check with your doctor. CHECK WITH YOUR DOCTOR AS SOON AS POSSIBLE if you experience persistent or recurrent abnormal vaginal bleeding, dark patches on the skin or face, swelling of fingers or ankles, mental or mood changes such as depression, headache, or difficulty wearing contact lenses. CONTACT YOUR DOCTOR IMMEDIATELY if you experience calf/leg pain or swelling, trouble breathing or shortness of breath, chest pain, one-sided weakness, slurred speech, confusion, lumps in the breast, sudden severe headache, dizziness or fainting, sharp or crushing chest pain, sudden shortness of breath, coughing up blood, dark urine, yellowing skin or eyes, changes in vision, numbness of an arm or leg, or severe stomach pain. 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, dizziness, or trouble breathing. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist. OVERDOSE: If overdose is suspected, contact your local poison control center or emergency room immediately. Symptoms of overdose may include nausea, vomiting, and vaginal bleeding. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: 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. The information in this monograph is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, drug interactions, or adverse effects. This information is generalized and is not intended as specific medical advice. If you have questions about the medicines you are taking or would like more information, check with your doctor, pharmacist, or nurse. |
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