Type of medicine: contraceptive (birth control)
Generic and brand names: ethinyl estradiol and levonorgestrel extended cycle, oral; Jolessa; LoSeasonique; Lybrel; Quasense; Seasonale; Seasonique
This medicine (commonly called birth control pills) is used to prevent pregnancy. It may be used for other conditions as determined by your healthcare provider.
Before taking this medicine, tell your healthcare provider if you have ever had:
Tell your healthcare provider if you have recently had a long period of bed rest after a major surgery or illness, or a broken bone in a cast, or you have recently delivered a baby. You may be at a risk of developing blood clots. Also, tell your healthcare provider if you are scheduled for surgery.
Tell your provider if you have a family history of heart disease, heart attack, high cholesterol, blood clots, strokes, breast cancer, or other conditions.
Tell your healthcare provider if you smoke. Smoking while you are using this medicine increases the risk of serious side effects such as heart attack, stroke, and blood clots. The risk increases with age and the number of cigarettes smoked a day. Talk to your healthcare provider about ways to quit smoking.
Females of childbearing age: DO NOT use this product if you are pregnant or breast-feeding because it may harm the baby. Stop taking this medicine at the first sign you may be pregnant and contact your healthcare provider right away.
Check the label on the medicine for directions about your specific dose. Take this medicine exactly as prescribed by your healthcare provider on the schedule prescribed. Take it with a full glass (8 ounces) of water. Take it at the same time each day. Use the special packaging to keep track of doses. Read the information sheet that comes in the medicine package for more information.
If you have Jolessa, Seasonale, LoSeasonique, Seasonique, or Quasense, take the first active pill on the Sunday after your period starts, even if you are still bleeding. If your period start to on Sunday, start the first active pill that same day. Use another method of birth control (such as a condom or spermicide) as a back-up method if you have sex during the first 7 days after you start taking the active pills.
If you have Lybrel and were not previously taking another birth control medicine, take the first Lybrel pill on the first day of your period. You will not need a back-up method of birth control. However, if you were previously taking a 21- or 28-day birth control pill or another form of birth control (such as an injection or implant), your healthcare provider will give you instructions on when to start taking Lybrel. You may need to use another method of birth control (such as a condom or spermicide) as a back-up method for 7 days.
If you have Jolessa, Seasonale, LoSeasonique, Seasonique, or Quasense and you miss a dose at your normal time, take it as soon as you remember. If you do not remember until the next day, take 2 tablets that day. If you miss 2 or more doses in a row, see the information sheet that comes in the medicine package or ask your healthcare provider what to do. You may need to use another method of birth control (such as a condom or spermicide) as a back-up method for 7 days.
If you have Lybrel and you miss a dose at your normal time, take it as soon as you remember. If you do not remember until the next day, take 2 tablets that day. If you miss 1 or more doses in a row, see the information sheet that comes in the medicine package or ask your healthcare provider what to do. You may need to use another method of birth control (such as a condom or spermicide) as a back-up method for 7 days.
If you or anyone else has intentionally taken too much of this medicine, call 911 or go to the emergency room right away. If you pass out, have seizures, weakness or confusion, or have trouble breathing, call 911. If you think that you or anyone else may have taken too much of this medicine, call the poison control center. Do this even if there are no signs of discomfort or poisoning. The poison control center number is 800-222-1222.
Symptoms of an acute overdose may include: nausea, vomiting.
You need to see your provider at least once a year for checkups while you are taking this medicine. Do not take this medicine for longer than 1 year without a complete physical exam.
Depending on the type of pill prescribed for you, your healthcare provider may recommend that you use a second method of birth control when you first start taking this medicine.
This medicine only prevents pregnancy. It does not prevent sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) such as HIV or herpes.
If you need emergency care, surgery, or dental work, tell the healthcare provider or dentist you are using this medicine. If you need any lab tests, tell your healthcare provider you are using this medicine. Birth control hormones may change some blood test results.
If you have spotting or light bleeding or feel sick to your stomach, do not stop taking the pill. The symptoms will usually go away. If symptoms continue, check with your healthcare provider.
Severe vomiting or diarrhea and certain other medicines may make this medicine less effective. Tell all healthcare providers who treat you that you are taking this medicine. You may need to use another method of birth control if the healthcare provider prescribes a medicine that might reduce the effectiveness of the birth control pills.
If you have Jolessa, Seasonale, LoSeasonique, Seasonique, or Quasense, this medicine has a 91-day treatment cycle. This means you should have 4 menstrual periods per year (bleeding when you are taking the 7 inactive or low-dose estrogen pills). You may have 20 or more days of unplanned bleeding when you start taking the active pills. This bleeding or spotting tends to decrease during later cycles. Do not stop this medicine because of the bleeding. If the spotting continues for more than 7 days or if the bleeding is heavy, call your healthcare provider. If you miss your regular menstrual period (no bleeding on the days that you take the 7 inactive or low-dose estrogen pills), contact your healthcare provider. If you have symptoms of pregnancy such as morning sickness or unusual breast tenderness, you should also contact your provider. If you have Lybrel, take this medicine every day continuously. This means you will not have any regular menstrual periods. You may have 7 or more days of unplanned bleeding when you start taking this medicine. This bleeding or spotting tends to decrease with continued use. If the spotting continues for more than 7 days or if the bleeding is heavy, call your healthcare provider. When you finish a pack, start the next pack on the day after your last pill. Do NOT miss any days between packs. Because regular monthly bleeding does not occur on Lybrel, an unexpected pregnancy may be difficult to recognize. Contact your healthcare provider if you suspect you may be pregnant, or if you have symptoms of pregnancy such as morning sickness or unusual breast tenderness.
Taking this kind of birth control pill exposes you to more hormones each year than if you used a 28-day cycle birth control pill with a similar amount of estrogen and progestin (an extra 9 to 13 weeks exposure per year, depending on which pill you have). This may increase your risk of side effects. Talk with your healthcare provider about this.
If you notice a change in your vision or wear contacts and it becomes difficult to wear your lenses, contact your healthcare provider.
Diabetics: If you are taking insulin or another medicine for diabetes, talk to your healthcare provider because your dosage of diabetes medicine may need to be changed.
Along with its needed effects, your medicine may cause some unwanted side effects. Some side effects may be very serious. Some side effects may go away as your body adjusts to the medicine. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effects that continue or get worse.
Life-threatening (Report these to your healthcare provider right away. If you are unable to reach your healthcare provider right away, get emergency medical care or call 911 for help):
Serious (report these to your healthcare provider right away):
Other: Vaginal or urinary infection, vaginal discharge, weight changes, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, nervousness, bloating, darkening of skin on the face, headache, hair loss, change in sexual desire.
When you take this medicine with other medicines, it can change the way this or any of the other medicines work. Nonprescription medicines, vitamins, natural remedies, and certain foods may also interact. Using these products together might cause harmful side effects. Talk to your healthcare provider if you are taking:
Do not eat grapefruit or drink grapefruit juice while taking this medicine. Grapefruit affects the way this medicine works and may increase the risk of side effects.
If you are not sure if your medicines might interact, ask your pharmacist or healthcare provider. Keep a list of all your medicines with you. List all the prescription medicines, nonprescription medicines, supplements, natural remedies, and vitamins that you take. Be sure that you tell all healthcare providers who treat you about all the products you are taking.
Store this medicine at room temperature. Keep the container tightly closed. Protect it from heat, high humidity, and bright light.
This advisory includes selected information only and may not include all side effects of this medicine or interactions with other medicines. Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist for more information or if you have any questions.
Ask your pharmacist for the best way to dispose of outdated medicine or medicine you have not used. Do not throw medicine in the trash.
Keep all medicines out of the reach of children.
Do not share medicines with other people.
