Ethinyl Estradiol; Levonorgestrel emergency contraceptive kit
What is ethinyl estradiol; levonorgestrel emergency contraceptive kit?
ETHINYL ESTRADIOL/LEVONORGESTREL (Preven®) products are effective as oral contraceptives (birth control pills or ‘the pill’). These products combine natural or synthetic estrogens and progestins, similar to the natural sex hormones (estrogen and progesterone) produced in a woman’s body. Ethinyl estradiol is an estrogen and levonorgestrel is a progestin. These products can prevent ovulation and pregnancy. After consultation with a health care professional, this kit can be used under specific circumstances for emergency contraception within the 72 hours after unprotected sex. A generic emergency contraceptive kit is not yet available.
What should my health care professional know before I use ethinyl estradiol; levonorgestrel?
They need to know if you have or ever had any of these conditions:
- blood clots
- blood sugar problems, like diabetes
- cancer of the breast, cervix, ovary, uterus, vagina, or unusual vaginal bleeding that has not been evaluated by a health care professional
- depression
- fibroids
- gallbladder disease
- heart or circulation problems
- high blood pressure
- jaundice
- liver disease
- menstrual problems
- migraine headaches
- tobacco smoker
- stroke
- an unusual or allergic reaction to estrogen/progestin, other hormones, medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives
- pregnant or trying to get pregnant
- breast-feeding
How should I use this medicine?
- For emergency prevention of pregnancy:
Take ethinyl estradiol/levonorgestrel pills by mouth. You will need to follow the instructions provided by your health care provider exactly. You will be told what product and how many pills of that product you should take for each dose. Take the first dose as soon as you can after having unprotected sex, preferably in the first 24 hours, but no later than 72 hours (3 days) after the event. You MUST take the second dose 12 hours after you take the first dose. Do not take any extra pills. Extra pills will not decrease your risk of pregnancy, but may increase your risk of side effects.
If you have been prescribed the Preven™ contraceptive kit, there will be a booklet provided with your prescription that explains how to use the kit properly. You will need to read this booklet. The Preven™ kit will contain a pregnancy test as well as the emergency birth control pills.
Emergency birth control prescriptions are not to be used as a regular means of preventing pregnancy. You should discuss birth control options with your health care provider to prevent future risk of pregnancy. Get started as soon as you can with a method of birth control you will be able to use every time you have sex. You should make a follow-up appointment to see your health care provider in 3 - 4 weeks after taking your emergency birth control prescription.
- For all uses of this medicine:
Before starting this medication, read the paper on your prescription provided by your pharmacist. This paper will tell you about the specific product you are taking. Make certain you understand the instructions.
Contact your pediatrician or health care professional regarding the use of this medicine in children. Special care may be needed.
What if I miss a dose?
If you miss a dose of an emergency contraceptive prescription, or vomit the dose within an hour of taking it, you MUST contact your health care professional for instructions.
What drug(s) may interact with ethinyl estradiol; levonorgestrel in this emergency contraceptive kit?
The following medications could potentially make the Preven® kit less effective at preventing pregnancy:
- antibiotics or medicines for infections
- aprepitant
- barbiturate medicines for producing sleep or treating seizures (convulsions), like phenobarbital
- bosentan
- carbamazepine
- mineral oil
- modafinil
- oxcarbazepine
- phenytoin
- St. John’s wort
- topiramate
- troglitazone or pioglitazone
- ritonavir or other medicines for the treatment of the HIV virus or AIDS
Tell your prescriber or health care professional about all other medicines you are taking, including non-prescription medicines, nutritional supplements, or herbal products. Also tell your prescriber or health care professional if you are a frequent user of drinks with caffeine or alcohol, if you smoke, or if you use illegal drugs. These may affect the way your medicine works. Check before stopping or starting any of your medicines.
What side effects may I notice from taking ethinyl estradiol; levonorgestrel in the emergency contraceptive kit?
Severe side effects are relatively rare in women who are healthy and do not smoke while they are taking emergency contraceptives. On average, more women have problems due to complications from getting pregnant than have problems with oral contraceptives. However, the potential for severe side effects does exist and you may want to discuss these with your health care provider.
The following symptoms or side effects may be related to blood clots and require immediate medical or emergency help; these are rare with the use of the emergency contraceptive kit:
- chest pain
- coughing up blood
- dizziness or fainting spells
- 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
- swelling of the hands, feet or ankles, or rapid weight gain
- vision or speech problems
- weakness or numbness in the arms or legs, especially on one side of the body
The following are common side effects with the emergency contraceptive kit:
If you are taking this medicine for emergency prevention of pregnancy, it is common to have nausea, headache, abdominal pain or cramping, breast tenderness and dizziness. You may vomit. If you throw-up within 1 hour of taking your dose, you will need to contact your health care professional for instructions. If any of the other side effects are severe or continue, contact your health care professional. After you finish your prescription, it is common for you to have changes in your next period, or to have spotting. If you do not get a period within 21 days of taking your prescription, you should see your health care professional and get a pregnancy test.
What should I watch for while taking ethinyl estradiol; levonorgestrel emergency contraceptive kit?
Visit your prescriber or health care provider for regular checks on your progress. You should have a complete check-up every 6 to 12 months. If you have any unusual vaginal bleeding contact your doctor or health care provider for advice. If you miss a period, the possibility of pregnancy must be considered. See your prescriber or health care professional as soon as you can.
Tobacco smoking increases the risk of getting a blood clot or having a stroke while you are taking oral contraceptives, especially if you are more than 35 years old. You are advised not to smoke.
Taking contraceptive pills does not protect you against HIV infection (AIDS) or any other sexually transmitted diseases.
Where can I keep my medicine?
Keep out of the reach of children.
Store at room temperature between 15 and 30 degrees C (59 and 86 degrees F). Keep container tightly closed. Throw away any unused medicine after the expiration date.
[ Last Revised: 5/7/2003 10:40:00 AM ]
NOTE: This information is not intended to cover all possible uses, precautions, interactions, or adverse effects for this drug. If you have questions about the drug(s) you are taking, check with your health care professional.
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