Seasonique

The active ingredients in Seasonique are levonorgestrel (a progestin) and ethinyl estradiol (an estrogen). These two hormones work together to help prevent pregnancy by stopping ovulation (releasing an egg from the ovary), thickening cervical mucus (fluid from the cervix), which makes it difficult for sperm to move and fertilize an egg, and thinning the lining of the uterus (womb) to reduce the likelihood of implantation by a fertilized egg.

Follow all directions provided by your doctor and read all documents carefully, including the full Prescribing Information, FDA-approved Product Labeling, Instructions for Use, and Medication Guide, before using Seasonique. However, the following is a synopsis of the general guidelines for the use of Seasonique:

• You will take your first pill on the first day of your menstruation, or the first Sunday after it begins. When you first start taking this medicine, you may need to use additional birth control, such as condoms or a spermicide. Follow your doctor's directions.
• Take one pill daily, no more than 24 hours apart. When the pills have run out, start a new pack the next day. You may become pregnant if you do not take one pill every day. Get your prescription filled before you run out of medications entirely.
• You will not have a menstrual period every month while using an extended-cycle birth control pill. Instead, your period should be every 12 weeks.
• The 91-day birth control pack has three trays of cards containing 84 "active" pills and seven "reminder" tablets. You must take the pills in a specific order to maintain a regular menstrual cycle. Trays one and two each contain 28 pills. Tray 3 contains 35 pills, including the seven reminder pills. Your period should start while you're taking these reminder pills.
• You may experience breakthrough bleeding or withdrawal bleeding, particularly within the first three months. Inform your doctor if the bleeding persists or is severe.
• If you are experiencing severe vomiting or diarrhea, use a backup birth control method.

The most common side effects of Seasonique include:

• Breast tenderness.
• Weight gain.
• Bloating.
• Fluid retention.
• Irregular vaginal bleeding.
• Abdominal pain.
• Problems when wearing contact lenses.
• Muscle spasms.
• Mood changes.

Some individuals may experience serious side effects while using Seasonique. These side effects may require immediate medical attention. If you experience any of the following, contact your healthcare provider or seek emergency medical help:

• Increased risk of a heart attack. Symptoms include chest pain, abdominal discomfort, perspiration, nausea, and dizziness.
• Stroke symptoms include sudden numbness or weakness in the arm, leg, or face, confusion, vision problems, severe headaches, and difficulty walking.
• High risk of deep vein thrombosis (blood clot in the leg) causes leg cramping, swelling, pain, and muscle tightness.
• Cough, chest pain, shortness of breath, and a racing heart are symptoms of a pulmonary embolism (a blood clot in the lungs).
• Liver or gallbladder disorders include yellowing of the skin or whites of the eyes, fatigue, pain in the right upper stomach, and black urine.
• Allergic reaction to the medication, such as skin rash, hives, or swelling.

These are not all of the possible side effects of Seasonique. You should always seek medical advice from your healthcare provider for any questions or concerns about your medical condition or treatment. Read all patient information, medication guides, or drug information sheets that come with this medication. You can also report adverse effects to the Food and Drug Administration at www.fda.gov/medwatch or 1-800-FDA-1088.

Before starting Seasonique, it is crucial to discuss any existing health conditions with your healthcare provider. You should be sure that your healthcare provider is aware of all your medical conditions, including:

• Untreated or uncontrollable high blood pressure.
• Heart disease (coronary artery disease, uncontrolled heart valve condition, previous heart attack, or stroke).
• A blood-clotting condition or circulatory issues.
• Diabetes.
• A history of hormonal cancer, such as breast or uterine cancer.
• Unusual vaginal bleeding that has not been evaluated by a physician.
• Liver disease or cancer.
• Underactive thyroid.
• Severe migraine headaches (with aura, numbness, weakness, or vision abnormalities), particularly if you are over 35.
• A history of jaundice from pregnancy or other hormonal contraceptives.
• If you smoke and are older than 35.
• Hereditary angioedema.
• High triglyceride levels or cholesterol.
• Gallbladder disease.

Boxed Warning

The black box warning emphasizes that cigarette smoking considerably raises the risk of serious cardiovascular side effects in women using combination hormonal contraceptives, particularly those over the age of 35 or who smoke 15 or more cigarettes daily. Women who use these contraceptives should be strongly cautioned not to smoke. Furthermore, these contraceptives should not be used in conjunction with specific hepatitis C medicines such as ombitasvir, paritaprevir, and ritonavir (with or without dasabuvir), as this combination may result in increased liver enzyme (ALT).

• High chance of forming a blood clot.
• A history of blood clots, strokes, or heart attacks.
• Females over the age of 35 who smoke or experience migraine headaches.
• Migraines with aura.
• Certain medical disorders, such as uncontrolled hypertension, diabetes, obesity, coronary artery disease (CAD), and atrial fibrillation (AFib).
• Liver tumors or diseases.
• Currently pregnant.
• Currently have or have had breast cancer.
• Abnormal vaginal bleeding that your physician is unaware of or that you have not reported to them.
• Take certain hepatitis C drugs, such as Viekira Pak, which contains ombitasvir, paritaprevir, and ritonavir, with or without dasabuvir.

After 7 days of taking Seasonique birth control pills as advised, you can rely on them for contraception.

When Seasonique is taken with other prescription drugs, over-the-counter medications, vitamins, and supplements, it may change how they work or increase the frequency or severity of side effects. Make sure that you tell your healthcare professional about anything that you are taking to avoid any negative drug interactions, including:

• St. John’s Wort.
• Topiramate.
• Atorvastatin.
• Carbamazepine.
• Griseofulvin.
• Lamotrigine.
• Phenytoin.

Seasonique comes in a 91-day pack. Your medication may appear different based on the brand of generic prescribed by your provider. Please take the medication as prescribed by your clinician or as directed on the packaging.

There are 91 active pills, each containing a different dose of levonorgestrel and ethinyl estradiol. In general

Day 1–84: 0.15 mg of levonorgestrel and 30 mcg of ethinyl estradiol.

Day 85-91: 10 mg of ethinyl estradiol.

The normal dose is to take one tablet by mouth daily for 91 days, following the instructions on the package.

Store at room temperature and keep out of reach of children.

Teva Pharmaceuticals is the company that manufactures Seasonique.

There are several generic versions available of Seasonique.

Do not discontinue taking Seasonique without consulting your doctor. If you stop using Seasonique or do not take a tablet every day and do not use another method of contraception, you may become pregnant.

Do not use if you are pregnant. Stop using Seasonique and notify your doctor immediately if you become pregnant or skip two menstrual periods in a row. If you have just had a baby, you should wait at least 4 weeks before using Seasonique.

Seasonique's hormones can transfer into breast milk, potentially harming a nursing baby. This medicine may also potentially reduce breast milk production. Do not use if you are breastfeeding a baby.