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Directions:
Follow the directions for using this medicine provided by your doctor. AN ADDITIONAL PATIENT INFORMATION LEAFLET is available with this medicine. Read it carefully. Ask your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist any questions that you may have about this medicine. TALK WITH YOUR DOCTOR about how you should start to take your first pack of this medicine. If you begin to take this medicine during the first 24 hours of your period, you do not need to use an extra form of birth control. If you begin to take this medicine on the Sunday after your period starts, you will need to use an extra form of birth control for 7 days after you start taking this medicine. IF YOU ARE SWITCHING FROM ANOTHER BIRTH CONTROL PILL to this medicine, start this medicine on the same day that you would have started a new pack of your previous birth control pills. Talk with your doctor if you have any questions about how to switch from another form of hormonal birth control to this medicine. THIS MEDICINE MAY BE TAKEN ON AN EMPTY STOMACH OR WITH FOOD. STORE THIS MEDICINE at 77 degrees F (25 degrees C), away from heat and light. Brief storage between 59 and 86 degrees F (15 and 30 degrees C) is permitted. TAKE THIS MEDICINE AT THE SAME TIME EVERY DAY, not more than 24 hours apart. After taking the last pill in the pack, start taking the first pill from a new pack the very next day. FOR THIS MEDICINE TO BE EFFECTIVE it must be taken every day. Do not skip doses even if you do not have sex very often. Do not skip pills if you are spotting, bleeding, or nauseous. If you have these side effects and they do not go away, check with your doctor. IF YOU MISS ONE DOSE OF THIS MEDICINE, take it as soon as you remember. Take your next dose at the regular time. This means you may take 2 doses on the same day. You do not need to use a backup form of birth control if you only miss 1 pill. If you miss more than 1 dose, read the extra patient leaflet that comes with this medicine or contact your doctor for instructions. YOU MUST USE A BACKUP FORM of birth control if you miss more than 1 dose. If you are not sure how to handle missed doses, use an extra form of birth control (eg, condoms) until you talk with your doctor. If you have any questions, contact your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist.
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Cautions:
WARNING: Smoking cigarettes while using this medicine increases your chance of having heart problems. Do not smoke while using this medicine. Women greater than 35 years of age and women who smoke 15 or more cigarettes per day are at a greater risk for heart problems. Some medicines or medical conditions may interact with this medicine. INFORM YOUR DOCTOR OR PHARMACIST of all prescription and over-the-counter medicine that you are taking. DO NOT TAKE THIS MEDICINE if you are also taking azole antifungal medicines such as ketoconazole or itraconazole, acitretin, aprepitant, bosetan, barbiturates, griseofulvin, carbamazepine, topiramate, tetracycline antibiotics, hydantoins such as phenytoin, St. John's wort, or rifampin without talking with your doctor. An increased risk of pregnancy has been identified when taking these medicines with birth-control pills. Check with your doctor or pharmacist for more information. ADDITIONAL MONITORING OF YOUR DOSE OR CONDITION may be needed if you are taking benzodiazepines, corticosteroids, felbamate, HIV protease inhibitors, nevirapine, modafinil, beta-blockers such as metoprolol or carvedilol, lamotrigine, pioglitazone, penicillin antibiotics, theophylline, troglitazone, troleandomycin, or medicine for seizures. DO NOT START OR STOP any medicine without doctor or pharmacist approval. Inform your doctor of any other medical conditions including cancer, diabetes, headaches or migraines, high triglyceride level in the blood, high blood pressure, recent surgery, allergies, pregnancy, or breast-feeding. USE OF THIS MEDICINE IS NOT RECOMMENDED if you have a history of problems with the blood vessels in the brain or heart, heart valve problems, heart attack, uncontrolled high blood pressure, abnormal or undiagnosed vaginal bleeding, certain cancers including breast cancer, serious liver problems, blood clots, certain blood disorders such as porphyria, stroke, or smoking. Contact your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions or concerns about taking this medicine.
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