What is this medicine?
ETHINYL ESTRADIOL; LEVONORGESTREL (ETH in il es tra DYE ole; LEE voh nor jes trel) is an oral contraceptive. It combines two types of female hormones, an estrogen and a progestin. They are used to prevent ovulation and pregnancy.
This medicine may be used for other purposes; ask your health care provider or pharmacist if you have questions.
What is the price of this medication and similar alternatives?This pricing information is subject to change at the sole discretion of DS Pharmacy. This pricing information was updated 09/2009. For the most current and up-to-date pricing information, please visit www.drugstore.com. Actual costs to patients will vary depending on the use of specific retail or mail-order locations and health insurance copays.
| Femhrt 1/5 1-5MG-MCG Tablets | WARNER CHILCOTT PROF PROD DIV | 30/$70.65 or 90/$186.9 |
| Femhrt Low Dose 0.5-2.5MG-MCG Tablets | WARNER CHILCOTT PROF PROD DIV | 30/$72.02 or 90/$193.46 |
| Ortho Evra 150-20MCG/24HR Patches | ORTHO-MCNEIL PHARMACEUTICAL | 3/$69.22 or 9/$179.82 |
What side effects may I notice from receiving this medicine?Side effects that you should report to your doctor or health care professional as soon as possible:
- breast tissue changes or discharge
- changes in vaginal bleeding during your period or between your periods
- chest pain
- coughing up blood
- dizziness or fainting spells
- headaches or migraines
- leg, arm or groin pain
- severe or sudden headaches
- stomach pain (severe)
- sudden shortness of breath
- sudden loss of coordination, especially on one side of the body
- speech problems
- symptoms of vaginal infection like itching, irritation or unusual discharge
- tenderness in the upper abdomen
- vomiting
- weakness or numbness in the arms or legs, especially on one side of the body
- yellowing of the eyes or skin
Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your doctor or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):
- breakthrough bleeding and spotting that continues beyond the 3 initial cycles of pills
- breast tenderness
- mood changes, anxiety, depression, frustration, anger, or emotional outbursts
- increased sensitivity to sun or ultraviolet light
- nausea
- skin rash, acne, or brown spots on the skin
- weight gain (slight)
This list may not describe all possible side effects. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
How should I use this medicine?
Take this medicine by mouth. To reduce nausea, this medicine may be taken with food. Follow the directions on the prescription label. Take this medicine at the same time each day and in the order directed on the package. Do not take your medicine more often than directed.
Contact your pediatrician regarding the use of this medicine in children. Special care may be needed. This medicine has been used in female children who have started having menstrual periods.
A patient information sheet will be given with each prescription and refill. Read this sheet carefully each time. The sheet may change frequently.
Overdosage: If you think you have taken too much of this medicine contact a poison control center or emergency room at once.
NOTE: This medicine is only for you. Do not share this medicine with others.
What if I miss a dose?
If you miss a dose, refer to the patient information sheet you received with your medicine for direction. If you miss more than one pill, this medicine may not be as effective and you may need to use another form of birth control.
What may interact with this medicine?- acetaminophen
- antibiotics or medicines for infections, especially rifampin, rifabutin, rifapentine, and griseofulvin, and possibly penicillins or tetracyclines
- aprepitant
- ascorbic acid (vitamin C)
- atorvastatin
- barbiturate medicines, such as phenobarbital
- bosentan
- carbamazepine
- caffeine
- clofibrate
- cyclosporine
- dantrolene
- doxercalciferol
- felbamate
- grapefruit juice
- hydrocortisone
- medicines for anxiety or sleeping problems, such as diazepam or temazepam
- medicines for diabetes, including pioglitazone
- mineral oil
- modafinil
- mycophenolate
- nefazodone
- oxcarbazepine
- phenytoin
- prednisolone
- ritonavir or other medicines for HIV infection or AIDS
- rosuvastatin
- selegiline
- soy isoflavones supplements
- St. John's wort
- tamoxifen or raloxifene
- theophylline
- thyroid hormones
- topiramate
- warfarin
This list may not describe all possible interactions. Give your health care provider a list of all the medicines, herbs, non-prescription drugs, or dietary supplements you use. Also tell them if you smoke, drink alcohol, or use illegal drugs. Some items may interact with your medicine.
Who should NOT use this medication?
- Hypersensitivity to the drug or any ingredient in the formulation.
- Known or suspected pregnancy.
- Undiagnosed abnormal genital bleeding.
- Diplopia or any ocular lesion arising from ophthalmic vascular disease.
- Classical migraine.
- Active liver disease or history of cholestatic jaundice with pregnancy or with prior use of oral contraceptives.
- Breast-feeding.
- Thrombophlebitis or thromboembolic disorders.
- Cerebrovascular disease or CAD (including MI).
- Severe hypertension.
- Diabetes with vascular involvement.
- Known or suspected carcinoma of the breast.
- Known or suspected estrogen-dependent neoplasia (e.g., carcinoma of the endometrium).
- Benign or malignant liver tumor that developed during oral contraceptive or other estrogen use.
- Oral contraceptives containing the progestin drospirenone are contraindicated in women with renal or hepatic impairment and in those with adrenal insufficiency.
- Most experts state that there currently is no real contraindication to postcoital (emergency) contraception with the recommended regimens and that the benefits generally outweigh any theoretical or proven risk.
What should I watch for while using this medicine?
Visit your doctor or health care professional for regular checks on your progress. You will need a regular breast and pelvic exam and Pap smear while on this medicine.
Use an additional method of contraception during the first cycle that you take these tablets.
If you have any reason to think you are pregnant, stop taking this medicine right away and contact your doctor or health care professional.
If you are taking this medicine for hormone related problems, it may take several cycles of use to see improvement in your condition.
Smoking increases the risk of getting a blood clot or having a stroke while you are taking birth control pills, especially if you are more than 35 years old. You are strongly advised not to smoke.
This medicine can make your body retain fluid, making your fingers, hands, or ankles swell. Your blood pressure can go up. Contact your doctor or health care professional if you feel you are retaining fluid.
This medicine can make you more sensitive to the sun. Keep out of the sun. If you cannot avoid being in the sun, wear protective clothing and use sunscreen. Do not use sun lamps or tanning beds/booths.
If you wear contact lenses and notice visual changes, or if the lenses begin to feel uncomfortable, consult your eye care specialist.
In some women, tenderness, swelling, or minor bleeding of the gums may occur. Notify your dentist if this happens. Brushing and flossing your teeth regularly may help limit this. See your dentist regularly and inform your dentist of the medicines you are taking.
If you are going to have elective surgery, you may need to stop taking this medicine before the surgery. Consult your health care professional for advice.
This medicine does not protect you against HIV infection (AIDS) or any other sexually transmitted diseases.
What should I tell my health care provider before I take this medicine?They need to know if you have or ever had any of these conditions:
- abnormal vaginal bleeding
- blood vessel disease or blood clots
- breast, cervical, endometrial, ovarian, liver, or uterine cancer
- diabetes
- gallbladder disease
- heart disease or recent heart attack
- high blood pressure
- high cholesterol
- kidney disease
- liver disease
- migraine headaches
- stroke
- systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)
- tobacco smoker
- an unusual or allergic reaction to estrogens, progestins, other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives
- pregnant or trying to get pregnant
- breast-feeding
Can I stop taking the medication if I feel better?
As a general rule, you should always take your medications exactly as prescribed and do not change the dosage or stop taking the medication without first discussing it with your healthcare provider.
I am on so many medications; do I have to take them all?
This is called polypharmacy—many different medications being used at the same time by one person. Sometimes, being on multiple medications is acceptable and appropriate but at other times it may be problematic. If you are receiving your medications from multiple physicians you need to ensure that they all know what medications you are taking. The best way to do this is to make a list of all the medications you are currently using, including all nutritional supplements, homeopathic remedies, vitamins and over-the-counter drugs (if possible, also include all the diseases you have been diagnosed with). Give a copy to every doctor who takes care of you so they have it on file, this way they can avoid duplicating medications and perhaps even try to consolidate some. After every doctor's visit remember to update the list accordingly. Also, as much as you possibly can, try to use the same pharmacy to fill all your prescriptions, this way any potential drug interactions can be caught and averted.
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