What should I tell my care team before I take this medication?
They need to know if you have any of these conditions:
- Abnormal vaginal bleeding
- Blood vessel disease or blood clots
- Breast, cervical, endometrial, ovarian, liver, or uterine cancer
- Diabetes (high blood sugar)
- Gallbladder disease
- Heart disease or recent heart attack
- High blood pressure
- High cholesterol
- Kidney disease
- Liver disease or liver cancer
- Mental illness
- Migraine headaches
- Stroke
- Swelling of the face or tongue
- Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)
- Tobacco smoker
- 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?
- Antibiotics or medications for infections, especially rifampin, rifabutin, rifapentine, griseofulvin, and possibly penicillins, tetracyclines, or macrolides like erythromycin
- Barbiturate medications, such as phenobarbital
- Bosentan
- Carbamazepine
- Certain antidepressants
- Certain medications for blood pressure like diltiazem, verapamil
- Certain medications for fungal infections like ketoconazole and itraconazole
- Cimetidine
- Felbamate
- Grapefruit juice
- Ketoconazole
- Lamotrigine
- Oxcarbazepine
- Phenytoin
- Ritonavir or other medications for HIV infection or AIDS
- Soy isoflavones supplements
- St. John's wort
- 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.
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.
If you have any reason to think you are 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 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 contraceptives, especially if you are more than 35 years old. You are strongly advised not to smoke.
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 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 care team.
Tenderness, swelling, or minor bleeding of the gums may occur. Talk to your dentist if this happens. 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, you may need to stop taking this medication before the surgery. Consult your care team for advice.
This medication does not protect you against HIV infection (AIDS) or any other sexually transmitted diseases.
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.