See also Warning section.
Before using Seasonique (levonorgestrel/ ethinyl estradiol) 0.15/0.03mg, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to ethinyl estradiol or levonorgestrel; or to other estrogens or progestins; or if you have any other allergies.
Seasonique (levonorgestrel/ ethinyl estradiol) 0.15/0.03mg should not be used if you have certain medical conditions. Before using this product, consult your doctor or pharmacist if you have: history of stroke or other blood clots (e.g., in the legs, eyes, lungs), severe high blood pressure, abnormal breast exam, cancer (especially endometrial and breast cancer), diabetes that has caused kidney/eye/nerve/blood vessel disease, severe headaches, history of heart disease (e.g., heart attack, chest pain), heart valve disease, liver problems (e.g., liver tumor, active liver disease), current or suspected pregnancy, recent major surgery, long periods of sitting or lying down (e.g., immobility such as being bedridden), history of yellowing eyes/skin (jaundice) during pregnancy or while using birth control pills, unexplained vaginal bleeding, heavy tobacco use (especially if 35 or over).
Before using this product, tell your doctor your medical history, especially of: high blood pressure, high cholesterol or triglyceride (blood fat) levels, depression, diabetes, swelling (edema), gallbladder problems, kidney disease, migraine, obesity, irregular/missed/very light periods, recent pregnancy, thyroid problems.
Do not smoke cigarettes or use tobacco. Hormonal birth control (e.g., pills, injections, devices) combined with smoking significantly increases your risk for stroke, blood clots, high blood pressure, and heart attacks, especially in women older than 35. For more details, ask your doctor or pharmacist, or consult the Patient Information Leaflet that comes with this product.
If you have diabetes, Seasonique (levonorgestrel/ ethinyl estradiol) 0.15/0.03mg may make it harder to control your blood sugar levels. Monitor your blood sugar regularly as directed by your doctor. Tell your doctor the results and of any symptoms such as increased thirst/urination. Your anti-diabetic medication or diet may need to be adjusted.
Notify your doctor beforehand if you will be having surgery or will be confined to a chair/bed for a long time (e.g., a long plane flight). You may need to stop the medication for a time or take special precautions.
Seasonique (levonorgestrel/ ethinyl estradiol) 0.15/0.03mg may cause blotchy, dark areas on your skin (melasma). Sunlight may worsen this effect. Avoid prolonged sun exposure, sunlamps, and tanning booths. Use a sunscreen, and wear protective clothing when outdoors.
If you are nearsighted or wear contact lenses, you may develop vision problems or trouble wearing your contact lenses. Contact your eye doctor if these problems occur.
It may take longer for you to have regular periods or become pregnant after you stop taking birth control pills. Consult your doctor.
Seasonique (levonorgestrel/ ethinyl estradiol) 0.15/0.03mg must not be used during pregnancy. If you become pregnant or think you may be pregnant, tell your doctor immediately. If you have just given birth or had a pregnancy loss/abortion after the first 3 months, talk with your doctor about reliable forms of birth control, and find out when it is safe to start using birth control that contains a form of estrogen, such as Seasonique (levonorgestrel/ ethinyl estradiol) 0.15/0.03mg.
Seasonique (levonorgestrel/ ethinyl estradiol) 0.15/0.03mg passes into breast milk. This may affect how much milk you make and may also have undesirable effects on the nursing infant. Breast-feeding is not recommended while using this product. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.
IMPORTANT NOTE: The preceding information is intended to heighten awareness of health information and does not suggest diagnosis or treatment. This information is not a substitute for individual medical attention and should not be construed to indicate that use of the drug is safe, appropriate, or effective for you. See your health care professional for medical advice and treatment.
Store the tablets in their blister package until ready to use. Store at room temperature between 68-77 degrees F (20-25 degrees C) away from light and moisture. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep all medicines away from children and pets.
Properly discard this product when it is expired or no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company for more details about how to safely discard your product.
IMPORTANT NOTE: The preceding information is intended to heighten awareness of health information and does not suggest diagnosis or treatment. This information is not a substitute for individual medical attention and should not be construed to indicate that use of the drug is safe, appropriate, or effective for you. See your health care professional for medical advice and treatment.
Read the Patient Information Leaflet provided by your pharmacist before you start using this product and each time you get a refill. The leaflet contains very important information about when to take your pills and what to do if you miss a dose. If you have any questions, consult your doctor or pharmacist.
Take Seasonique (levonorgestrel/ ethinyl estradiol) 0.15/0.03mg by mouth once daily or as directed by your doctor. Pick a time of day that is easy for you to remember, and take your pill at the same time each day.
Begin taking Seasonique (levonorgestrel/ ethinyl estradiol) 0.15/0.03mg on the first Sunday following the beginning of your period (menstruation). If your period begins on a Sunday, begin taking Seasonique (levonorgestrel/ ethinyl estradiol) 0.15/0.03mg on that day. The pill pack contains 84 estrogen/progestin pills and 7 estrogen-only pills. Take one estrogen/progestin pill daily for 84 days in a row. The day after you finish all the combination pills, start taking one estrogen-only pill daily for 7 days in a row. You should have your period during the week you are taking the estrogen-only pills. The day after you take the last estrogen-only pill, take the first estrogen/progestin combination pill in a new pack to start a new cycle.
It is very important to continue taking Seasonique (levonorgestrel/ ethinyl estradiol) 0.15/0.03mg exactly as prescribed by your doctor, even if you have spotting or irregular bleeding (see also Side Effects section). Take the pills in the correct order. Do not skip any doses. Pregnancy is more likely if you miss pills, start a new pack late, or take your pill at a different time of the day than usual.
If you have any stomach upset or nausea with Seasonique (levonorgestrel/ ethinyl estradiol) 0.15/0.03mg, it may help to take it after your evening meal or at bedtime. You may choose to take Seasonique (levonorgestrel/ ethinyl estradiol) 0.15/0.03mg at another time of day that is easier for you to remember. No matter what dosing schedule you use, it is very important that you take Seasonique (levonorgestrel/ ethinyl estradiol) 0.15/0.03mg at the same time each day, 24 hours apart. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions.
If this is the first time you are using Seasonique (levonorgestrel/ ethinyl estradiol) 0.15/0.03mg and you are not switching from another form of hormonal birth control (e.g., patch, other birth control pills), use an additional form of non-hormonal birth control (e.g., condoms, spermicide) for the first 7 days to prevent pregnancy until the medication has enough time to work. If you take all the pills correctly, you will only need to use a back-up method for the first week of the first cycle.
Ask your doctor or pharmacist for information about how to switch from other forms of hormonal birth control (e.g., patch, other birth control pills) to this product. If any of this information is unclear, consult the Patient Information Leaflet or your doctor or pharmacist.
IMPORTANT NOTE: The preceding information is intended to heighten awareness of health information and does not suggest diagnosis or treatment. This information is not a substitute for individual medical attention and should not be construed to indicate that use of the drug is safe, appropriate, or effective for you. See your health care professional for medical advice and treatment.
Nausea, vomiting, headache, stomach cramping/bloating, dizziness, vaginal discomfort/irritation, increased vaginal fluids, or breast tenderness/enlargement may occur. Acne may improve or get worse. Vaginal bleeding between periods (spotting) may occur, especially during the first few months of use. If any of these effects persist or worsen, tell your doctor promptly.
You should not have your period during the 3 months that you are taking the combination pills. Instead, you will have your period once every 3 months during the week that you are taking the estrogen-only pills. This effect is normal with this product. However, if you do not have your period while taking the estrogen-only pills, contact your doctor for a pregnancy test.
Remember that your doctor has prescribed Seasonique (levonorgestrel/ ethinyl estradiol) 0.15/0.03mg because he or she has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects. Many people using Seasonique (levonorgestrel/ ethinyl estradiol) 0.15/0.03mg do not have serious side effects.
Tell your doctor immediately if any of these unlikely but serious side effects occur: changes in vaginal bleeding (e.g., continuous spotting, sudden heavy bleeding, missed periods while taking the estrogen-only pills), problem wearing contact lenses, dark patches on the skin (melasma), unwanted facial/body hair, swelling of the ankles/feet/hands, weight changes (gain or loss).
Seasonique (levonorgestrel/ ethinyl estradiol) 0.15/0.03mg may rarely cause serious (sometimes fatal) problems from blood clots (e.g., pulmonary embolism, stroke, heart attack). Seek immediate medical attention if you experience: sudden shortness of breath, chest/jaw/left arm pain, confusion, coughing up blood, sudden dizziness/fainting, pain/swelling/warmth in the groin/calf, tingling/weakness/numbness in the arms/legs, headaches that are different from those you may have experienced in the past (e.g., headaches with other symptoms such as vision changes/lack of coordination, existing migraines becoming worse, sudden/very severe headaches), slurred speech, weakness on one side of the body, vision problems/changes.
Tell your doctor immediately if any of these rare but very serious side effects occur: lumps in the breast, severe stomach/abdominal/pelvic pain, mental/mood changes (e.g., depression, suicidal thoughts, persistent trouble sleeping), unusual tiredness, dark urine, yellowing eyes/skin.
A very serious allergic reaction to Seasonique (levonorgestrel/ ethinyl estradiol) 0.15/0.03mg is unlikely, but seek immediate medical attention if it occurs. Symptoms of a serious allergic reaction include: rash, itching, swelling, severe dizziness, trouble breathing.
This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.
Click HERE to learn more about Seasonique side effects.
IMPORTANT NOTE: The preceding information is intended to heighten awareness of health information and does not suggest diagnosis or treatment. This information is not a substitute for individual medical attention and should not be construed to indicate that use of the drug is safe, appropriate, or effective for you. See your health care professional for medical advice and treatment.
Read the package information for advice on missed doses. You may need to use back-up birth control (e.g., condoms or spermicide) to prevent pregnancy. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions.
If you often forget to take the pill as directed, contact your doctor to discuss switching to another form of birth control.
IMPORTANT NOTE: The preceding information is intended to heighten awareness of health information and does not suggest diagnosis or treatment. This information is not a substitute for individual medical attention and should not be construed to indicate that use of the drug is safe, appropriate, or effective for you. See your health care professional for medical advice and treatment.
Your healthcare professionals (e.g., doctor or pharmacist) may already be aware of any possible drug interactions and may be monitoring you for them. Do not start, stop or change the dosage of any medicine before checking with them first.
Seasonique (levonorgestrel/ ethinyl estradiol) 0.15/0.03mg should not be used with the following medications because very serious interactions may occur: aromatase inhibitors (e.g., anastrazole, exemestane), sodium tetradecyl sulfate, troleandomycin.
If you are currently using any of these medications listed above, tell your doctor or pharmacist before starting Seasonique (levonorgestrel/ ethinyl estradiol) 0.15/0.03mg.
Before taking Seasonique (levonorgestrel/ ethinyl estradiol) 0.15/0.03mg, tell your doctor of all prescription and nonprescription medications you may use, especially of: raloxifene, tamoxifen, medication for underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism), drugs that may increase blood levels of Seasonique (levonorgestrel/ ethinyl estradiol) 0.15/0.03mg (such as acetaminophen, vitamin C, atorvastatin, azole antifungals such as itraconazole/ketoconazole/vaginal miconazole).
Certain drugs can decrease the effectiveness of combination-type birth control by decreasing the amount of birth control hormones in your system. This can result in pregnancy. These drugs include: many antibiotics (e.g., cephalosporins, chloramphenicol, macrolides such as erythromycin, penicillins, sulfas), aprepitant, bexarotene, bosentan, dapsone, felbamate, griseofulvin, certain HIV protease inhibitors (e.g., amprenavir, nelfinavir, ritonavir), modafinil, nevirapine, phenylbutazone, rifamycins (e.g., rifampin), many seizure medications (e.g., barbiturates, carbamazepine, phenytoin, lamotrigine, topiramate), St. John's wort. Consult your doctor or pharmacist for details, and ask if you should use additional reliable birth control methods while taking any of the drugs listed above.
Seasonique (levonorgestrel/ ethinyl estradiol) 0.15/0.03mg can speed up or slow down the removal of other drugs from your body by affecting certain liver enzymes. These affected drugs include acetaminophen, aspirin, certain beta blockers (e.g., metoprolol), clofibrate, cyclosporine, morphine, corticosteroids such as prednisolone, certain benzodiazepines such as lorazepam/temazepam, and theophylline, among others. If you are currently using any of these medications listed above, tell your doctor or pharmacist before starting Seasonique (levonorgestrel/ ethinyl estradiol) 0.15/0.03mg.
Seasonique (levonorgestrel/ ethinyl estradiol) 0.15/0.03mg can affect the results of certain lab tests (e.g., blood tests for clotting factors, thyroid). Make sure laboratory personnel and all your doctors know you use Seasonique (levonorgestrel/ ethinyl estradiol) 0.15/0.03mg.
This document does not contain all possible interactions. Therefore, before using this product, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all the products you use. Keep a list of all your medications with you, and share the list with your doctor and pharmacist.
IMPORTANT NOTE: The preceding information is intended to heighten awareness of health information and does not suggest diagnosis or treatment. This information is not a substitute for individual medical attention and should not be construed to indicate that use of the drug is safe, appropriate, or effective for you. See your health care professional for medical advice and treatment.