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.
