The
following information is a summary about Mircette.
It is not intended to replace a doctor's instructions.
Mircette USES
Mircette is one of the most effective methods for
birth control (99% effective when taken as directed).
Mircette contains natural hormones that stop the
ovary from releasing an egg and prevent a man's
sperm from entering the uterus. So with Mircette
you can put your mind at ease and enjoy intimate
moments with your partner.
Mircette DIRECTIONS
Take Mircette pills by mouth. Before you start
taking these pills decide what is a suitable time
of day and always take them at the same time of
day and in the order directed. Swallow the pills
with a drink of water. Take with food to reduce
stomach upset. Do not take more often than directed.
Most products (except Mircette) contain a 21-day
supply of pills containing the active ingredients.
Some products contain an additional 7 pills containing
iron or inactive ingredients to be taken during
the week of menstruation; this reduces the chance
of missing the first day of the next cycle. Most
products are to be started on the first Sunday
after you start your period or on the first day
of your period. You may need to ask your health
care provider which day you should start your packet.
If you are taking the Mircette product, most of
the 28 tablets contain active hormones. This product
should be started on the first Sunday after you
start your period or on the first day of your period.
Before starting Mircette, read the paper on your
prescription provided by your pharmacist. This
paper will tell you about the specific product
you are taking. Make certain you understand the
instructions. Keep an extra month's supply of your
pills available to ensure that you will not miss
the first day of the next cycle.
Mircette SIDE EFFECTS
Severe side effects are relatively rare in women
who are healthy and do not smoke while they are
taking oral contraceptives. On average, more women
have problems due to complications from getting
pregnant than have problems with oral contraceptives.
Many of the minor side effects may go away as your
body adjusts to the medicine. However, the potential
for severe side effects does exist and you may
want to discuss these with your health care provider.
The following symptoms or side effects may be related
to blood clots and require immediate medical or
emergency help: chest pain; coughing up blood;
dizziness or fainting spells; leg, arm or groin
pain; severe or sudden headaches; stomach pain
(severe); sudden shortness of breath; sudden loss
of coordination, especially on one side of the
body; swelling of the hands, feet or ankles, or
rapid weight gain; vision or speech problems; weakness
or numbness in the arms or legs, especially on
one side of the body. Other serious side effects
are rare. Contact your health care provider as
soon as you can if the following side effects occur:
breast tissue changes or discharge; changes in
vaginal bleeding during your period or between
your periods; headaches or migraines; increases
in blood sugar, especially if you have diabetes;
increases in blood pressure, especially if you
are known to have high blood pressure; symptoms
of vaginal infection (itching, irritation or unusual
discharge); tenderness in the upper abdomen; vomiting;
yellowing of the eyes or skin. Side effects that
usually do not require medical attention (report
to your health care provider if they continue or
are bothersome): breakthrough bleeding and spotting
that continues beyond the 3 initial cycles of pills;
breast tenderness; mild stomach upset; mood changes,
anxiety, depression, frustration, anger, or emotional
outbursts; increased or decreased appetite; increased
sensitivity to sun or ultraviolet light; nausea;
skin rash, acne, or brown spots on the skin; tiredness;
weight gain.
Mircette PRECAUTIONS
Visit your health care provider for regular checks
on your progress. You should have a complete check-up
every 6 to 12 months. If you have any unusual vaginal
bleeding contact your prescriber or health care
professional for advice. If you miss a period,
the possibility of pregnancy must be considered.
See your prescriber or health care provider as
soon as you can. Use an additional method of contraception
during the first cycle that you take these tablets.
If you stop taking these tablets and want to get
pregnant, a return to normal ovulation can take
some time. You may not return to normal ovulation
and fertility for 3 to 6 months. Discuss your pregnancy
plans with your health care provider. If you are
taking oral contraceptives for the treatment of
acne, hirsutism (male-like hair growth), endometriosis
or other hormone related problems, it may take
several months of continued treatment to notice
improvement in your symptoms or condition. Tobacco
smoking increases the risk of getting a blood clot
or having a stroke while you are taking mircette,
especially if you are more than 35 years old. You
are strongly advised not to smoke. Oral contraceptives
can increase your sensitivity to the sun and you
may burn more easily. Use sunscreen and protective
clothing during long periods outdoors. Tanning
booths should be used with caution. If you wear
contact lenses and notice visual changes, or if
the lenses begin to feel uncomfortable, consult
your eye care specialist. In some women, tenderness,
swelling, or minor bleeding of the gums may occur.
Notify your dentist if this happens. Brushing and
flossing your teeth regularly may help limit this.
See your dentist regularly and inform your dentist
of the medicines you are taking.
Mircette Interactions
Antibiotics or medicines for infections, especially
rifampin, rifabutin, rifapentine, and griseofulvin;
aprepitant, a medicine used for chemotherapy-induced
nausea and vomiting; barbiturate medicines for
producing sleep or treating seizures (convulsions);
bosentan; carbamazepine; caffeine; clofibrate;
cyclosporine; dantrolene; grapefruit juice; hydrocortisone;
medicines for anxiety or sleeping problems, such
as diazepam or temazepam; medicines for mental
depression; medicines for diabetes, including troglitazone
and pioglitazone; mineral oil; modafinil; mycophenolate;
nefazodone; oxcarbazepine; phenytoin; prednisolone;
ritonavir or other medicines for the treatment
of the HIV virus or AIDS; selegiline; soy isoflavones
supplements; St. John's wort; tamoxifen or raloxifene;
theophylline; topiramate; warfarin. Tell your prescriber
or health care professional about all other medicines
you are taking, including non-prescription medicines,
nutritional supplements, or herbal products. Also
tell your prescriber or health care professional
if you are a frequent user of drinks with caffeine
or alcohol, if you smoke, or if you use illegal
drugs. These may affect the way your medicine works.
Check before stopping or starting any of your medicines.
Mircette NOTES
Prescriber needs to know if you have or ever had
any of these conditions: blood clots; blood sugar
problems, like diabetes; cancer of the breast,
cervix, ovary, uterus, vagina, or unusual vaginal
bleeding that has not been evaluated by a health
care professional; depression; fibroids; gallbladder
disease; heart or circulation problems; high blood
pressure; jaundice; liver disease; menstrual problems;
migraine headaches; tobacco smoker; stroke; an
unusual or allergic reaction to estrogen/progestin,
other hormones, medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives;
pregnant or trying to get pregnant; breast-feeding.
MISSED DOSE
Try not to miss a dose. If you do, it may be necessary
to consult your health care professional, especially
if you are taking Mircette™. For all products (except
Mircette) 21-day schedule: If you miss one dose,
take it as soon as you remember and then take the
next pill at the regular time as usual. You may
take 2 tablets in one day. If you miss two doses
(days) in a row, take 2 tablets for the next 2
days, then, continue with your regular schedule.
Whenever 1 or 2 doses are missed, you should use
a second method of contraception for the next 7
days in addition to taking the pills. If you miss
three doses in a row, you should notify your physician
or other health care professional for instructions.
You will probably need to throw away the rest of
the tablets in that cycle pack and start over.
Another method of contraception should be used
until at least 7 doses have been taken in the new
cycle. Missing a pill can cause spotting or light
bleeding. Make sure that no more than 7 days pass
at the end of the 21 day cycle, before you start
your next pack of pills. 28-day schedule: Follow
the same directions as above for the first 21 days
of the schedule. If you miss 1 of the last 7 pills,
you can either double the dose or skip it, but
it is important to start the next month's cycle
on the scheduled day. For Mircette: You will need
to contact your health care provider for specific
instructions based on which tablets have been missed,
for how many days they have been missed, and based
on what week of your current cycle you are currently
taking tablets.
Mircette STORAGE
Keep out of the reach of children. Store Mircette
at room temperature between 15 and 30 degrees C
(59 and 86 degrees F). Keep container tightly closed.
Throw away any unused medicine after the expiration
date.