What should I tell my care team before I take this medication?
They need to know if you have or ever had any of these conditions:
-Abnormal vaginal bleeding
-Adrenal gland disease
-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
-High potassium level
-Kidney disease
-Liver disease
-Migraine headaches
-Stroke
-Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)
-Tobacco use
-An unusual or allergic reaction to estrogens, progestins, or other medications, foods, dyes, or preservatives
-Pregnant or trying to get pregnant
-Breast-feeding
What may interact with this medication?
Do not take this medication with any of the following:
-Aminoglutethimide
-Amprenavir, fosamprenavir
-Atazanavir; cobicistat
-Anastrozole
-Bosentan
-Exemestane
-Letrozole
-Metyrapone
-Testolactone
This medication may also interact with the following:
-Acetaminophen
-Antiviral medications for HIV or AIDS
-Aprepitant
-Barbiturates
-Certain antibiotics like rifampin, rifabutin, rifapentine, and possibly penicillins or tetracyclines
-Certain diuretics like amiloride, spironolactone, triamterene
-Certain medications for fungal infections like griseofulvin, ketoconazole, itraconazole
-Certain medications for high blood pressure or heart conditions like ACE-inhibitors, Angiotensin-II receptor blockers, eplerenone
-Certain medications for seizures like carbamazepine, oxcarbazepine, phenobarbital, phenytoin
-Cholestyramine
-Cobicistat
-Corticosteroid like hydrocortisone and prednisolone
-Cyclosporine
-Dantrolene
-Felbamate
-Grapefruit juice
-Heparin
-Lamotrigine
-Medications for diabetes, including pioglitazone
-Modafinil
-NSAIDs
-Potassium supplements
-Pyrimethamine
-Raloxifene
-St. John's wort
-Sulfasalazine
-Tamoxifen
-Topiramate
-Thyroid hormones
-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.
What should I watch for while using this medication?
Visit your care team for regular checks on your progress. You will need a regular breast and pelvic exam and Pap smear while on this medication.
You may need to use another form of contraception, such as a condom, during the first cycle of this medication.
If you may be pregnant, stop taking this medication right away and contact your care team.
If you are taking this medication for hormone related problems, it may take several cycles to see improvement in your condition.
Talk to your care team if you use tobacco products. Changes in your treatment plan may be needed. Tobacco increases the risk of getting a blood clot or having a stroke while you are taking this medication. This risk is higher if you are 35 years or older.
This medication can make your body retain fluid, making your fingers, hands, or ankles swell. Your blood pressure can go up. Contact your care team if you feel you are retaining fluid.
This medication 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 sunscreen. Do not use sun lamps, tanning beds, or tanning booths.
If you wear contact lenses and notice visual changes, or if the lenses begin to feel uncomfortable, consult your eye care specialist.
This medication can cause tooth and gum problems. Tenderness, swelling, or minor bleeding of the gums may occur. Brushing and flossing your teeth regularly may reduce the risk of side effects. Visit your dentist on a regular basis. Tell your dentist about any medications you are taking.
If you are going to have elective surgery, tell your care team you are taking this medication. You may need to stop taking this medication before the surgery.
Using this medication does not protect you or your partner against HIV or other sexually transmitted infections (STIs).
What are the most serious risks of this medication?
This medication can increase the risk of serious blood clots, which can cause a heart attack or stroke. This risk increases if you are older than 35 years of age or use tobacco. You are strongly advised not to use tobacco.