Lo Loestrin Fe

Read the Patient Information Leaflet provided by your pharmacist before you start taking Lo Loestrin Fe and each time you get a refill. The leaflet contains very important information on when to take your pills and what to do If you miss a dose of Lo Loestrin Fe. If you have any questions, ask your doctor or pharmacist. Take Lo Loestrin Fe by mouth with or without food as directed by your doctor, usually once daily. Pick a time of day that is easy for you to remember, and take your pill at the same time each day. It is very important to continue taking Lo Loestrin Fe exactly as prescribed by your doctor. With certain brands of birth control pills, the amount of estrogen and progestin in each active tablet will vary at different times in the cycle. Follow the package instructions to find the first tablet, start with the first tablet in the pack, and take them 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 vomiting or diarrhea within 3 to 4 hours after taking your tablet, read the Patient Information Leaflet section titled "What to Do if You Miss Tablets." Follow the instructions as if you had missed your dose because vomiting/diarrhea can stop the tablet from working. Taking Lo Loestrin Fe after your evening meal or at bedtime may help if you have stomach upset or nausea with the medication. You may choose to take Lo Loestrin Fe 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 Lo Loestrin Fe at the same time each day, 24 hours apart. Your pill pack contains 26 pills with active medication (24 pills with norethindrone and ethinyl estradiol, 2 pills with only ethinyl estradiol). It also contains 2 reminder pills with iron. Take one active pill (with hormones) once daily for 26 days in a row. After you have taken the last active pill, take one reminder pill (with iron) once daily for 2 days in a row unless otherwise directed by your doctor. You should have your period during the fourth week of the cycle. After you have taken the last reminder tablet in the pack, start a new pack the next day even if your period is continuing or if you do not have your period. If you do not get your period, consult your doctor. If you are taking certain medications (such as cefdinir, levodopa, penicillamine, quinolones such as ciprofloxacin, tetracyclines) that can interact with iron, ask your doctor whether you should throw away the reminder pills (iron tablets) each day rather than taking them. Iron can decrease the effect of these medications. If this is the first time you are using Lo Loestrin Fe and you are not switching from another form of hormonal birth control (such as patch, other birth control pills), take the first tablet in the pack on the first Sunday following the beginning of your menstrual period or on the first day of your period. If your period begins on a Sunday, begin taking Lo Loestrin Fe on that day. For the first cycle of use only, use an additional form of non-hormonal birth control (such as condoms, spermicide) for the first 7 days to prevent pregnancy until the medication has enough time to work. If you start on the first day of your period, you do not need to use back-up birth control the first week. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for information about how to switch from other forms of hormonal birth control (such as patch, other birth control pills) to Lo Loestrin Fe. If any information is unclear, consult the Patient Information Leaflet or your doctor or pharmacist.