Ethinyl Estradiol; Levonorgestrel (Triphasil) 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 ]
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