Common Brand Name(s)
Brevicon, Demulen, Lo/Ovral, Loestrin, Modicon, Nordette,
Norinyl, Ortho-Novum, Ovcon, Ovral, Tri-Phasil, Enpresse
Warning
Smoking cigarettes while using this medication increases your
chance of having heart problems. Do not smoke while using this
medication. The risk of heart problems increases with age (in
women greater than 35 years of age) and with frequent smoking
(15 cigarettes per day or greater).
Uses
This medication is used to prevent pregnancy or to regulate
your menstrual cycle. Certain brands of birth control pills
may be used for treating acne or as a "morning after" pill for
emergency contraception. Consult your doctor or pharmacist.
Use of this medication does not protect you or your partner
against sexually transmitted diseases (e.g., HIV, gonorrhea).
How To Use
Take this medication with food or immediately after a meal to
prevent stomach upset. Try to take this medication at the same
time each day. This may help you to remember to take it. Learn
proper use of your particular brand of medication. Follow your
dosing schedule carefully. Be sure to ask your doctor or
pharmacist if you have any questions. Use a supplemental form
of birth control during the first week of taking this
medication since it takes a while to be effective. Follow your
doctor's directions exactly if this drug is being used as a
"morning after pill.
Side Effects
This medication may cause dizziness, headache,
lightheadedness, stomach upset, bloating, or nausea. If these
effects persist or worsen, contact your doctor. Notify your
doctor if you experience: severe depression, groin or calf
pain, sudden severe headache, chest pain, shortness of breath,
lumps in the breast, weakness or tingling in the arms or legs,
yellowing of the eyes or skin. If you notice other effects not
listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.
Precautions
Before you take this medication, tell your doctor your entire
medical history, including family medical history, especially:
asthma, high blood pressure, kidney disease, liver heart
disease, stroke, history of jaundice (yellowing skin/eyes) or
high blood pressure during pregnancy, excessive weight gain or
fluid retention during menstrual cycle, blood clots, heart
attack, seizures, migraine headaches, breast cancer, high
blood level of cholesterol or lipids (fats), diabetes,
depression.
Depending on strength, this drug may cause a patchy, darkening
of the skin on the face (melasma). Higher strengths are more
likely to cause melasma. Sunlight may intensify this darkening
and you may need to avoid prolonged sun exposure and sunlamps.
Consult your doctor regarding use of sunscreens and protective
clothing. It may take a long time for you to become pregnant
after you stop taking birth control pills. Consult your
doctor. Do not smoke cigarettes. Birth-control pills slightly
increase your risk of strokes, blood clots, high blood
pressure, heart attacks, gallbladder disease, vision problems,
and liver tumors. Cigarette smoking (especially 15 or more
cigarettes daily) and age (women older than 35/smokers or
40/nonsmokers years of age) further increase the risk of
stroke, blood clots, high blood pressure and heart attacks.
Ask your pharmacist or doctor for a copy of the patient
labeling which explains these risks in more detail. Consult
your doctor for any questions, including possible use in
nonsmokers over 40 years of age. If you are near-sighted or
wear contact lenses, you may develop vision problems. Also,
your tolerance of the lenses may decrease. Contact your eye
doctor if these problems occur. Before having surgery,
including dental surgery, tell the doctor that you take birth
control pills. This drug must not be used during pregnancy. If
you become pregnant or think you may be pregnant, inform your
doctor immediately. This medication passes into breast milk.
This may affect milk production and may have harmful effects
on a nursing infant. Consult your doctor before
breast-feeding.
Overdose
If overdose is suspected, contact your local poison control
center or emergency room immediately. Symptoms of overdose may
include nausea and vomiting. Females may experience vaginal
bleeding.
Notes
Do not allow anyone else to take this medication.
Keep all appointments with your doctor and the laboratory. 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. A manufacturer's fact sheet
about this drug should be dispensed with each prescription.
Read the information carefully. Ask your doctor or pharmacist
any questions you may have.
Missed Dose
Missed dose advice differs and depends on the brand used, and
the number of doses missed. Refer to the product package
information for advice on missed doses. Ask your doctor or
pharmacist if you have any questions.
Storage
Store at room temperature between 59 and 86 degrees F (between
15 and 30 degrees C) away from moisture and sunlight. Do not
store in the bathroom.
