The
following information is a summary about Seasonale. It
is not intended to replace a doctor's instructions.
Seasonale USES
Seasonale (birth-control pills) are used to prevent pregnancy.
Estrogen and progestin are two female sex hormones. Combinations
of estrogen and progestin work by preventing the release
of eggs from the ovaries (ovulation) and changing the cervical
mucus and the lining of the uterus. Seasonale are a very
effective method of birth control, but they do not prevent
the spread of AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases.
Seasonale DIRECTIONS
Seasonale come in packets of 21 or 28 tablets to take by
mouth once a day. To avoid upset stomach, take Seasonale
with food or milk. Take the tablet routinely at the same
time every day (e.g., after dinner or at bedtime) to help
you remember to take the tablet regularly. Missing doses
increases your risk of becoming pregnant. When first starting
on Seasonale, use an additional method of birth control
until you have correctly taken 7 days' worth of medicine.
If you have a 21-tablet packet, take one tablet daily for
21 days and then none for seven days. Then start a new
packet. If you have a 28-tablet packet, take one tablet
daily for 28 days. The last seven tablets are a different
color. These tablets are not birth-control pills; they
contain iron (ferrous fumarate) or an inactive ingredient.
You should take one tablet daily continuously for 28 days
in the order specified in your packet, starting a new packet
the day after taking your 28th tablet. Follow the directions
on your prescription label carefully concerning when to
take your first tablet (on the first or fifth day of your
menstrual period or on the first Sunday after or on which
bleeding begins). Take the oral contraceptive exactly as
directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more
often than prescribed by your doctor. Do not stop taking
Seasonale without talking to your doctor. If you have recently
given birth, wait until 4 weeks after giving birth to begin
taking Seasonale.
Seasonale SIDE EFFECTS
Seasonale may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any
of these symptoms are severe or do not go away: * upset
stomach * vomiting * stomach cramps or bloating * diarrhea
* constipation * gingivitis (swelling of the gum tissue)
* weight gain or weight loss * brown or black skin patches
* acne * swelling of the hands, feet, or lower legs (fluid
retention) * hair growth in unusual places * bleeding or
spotting between menstrual periods * changes in menstrual
flow * painful or missed periods * breast tenderness, enlargement,
or discharge * difficulty wearing contact lenses Some side
effects can be seious. The following symptoms are uncommon,
but if you experience any of them, call your doctor immediately:
* severe headache * shortness of breath * severe vomiting
* partial or complete loss of vision * double vision *
speech problems * dizziness or faintness * weakness or
numbness of an arm or leg * crushing chest pain or chest
heaviness * coughing up blood * calf pain * severe stomach
pain * yellowing of the skin or eyes * severe depression
* unusual bleeding * loss of appetite * extreme tiredness,
weakness, or lack of energy * fever * dark-colored urine
* light-colored stool * rash Seasonale may increase the
risk of developing endometrial and breast cancer, gallbladder
disease, liver tumors, heart attack, stroke, and blood
clots. Talk to your doctor about the risks of taking this
medication. Seasonale may cause other side effects. Call
your doctor if you have any unusual problems while taking
this medication.
Seasonale PRECAUTIONS
Before taking Seasonale, * tell your doctor and pharmacist
if you are allergic to estrogen, progestin, or any other
medications. * tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription
and nonprescription medications, vitamins, and nutritional
supplements you are taking. Be sure to mention any of the
following: acetaminophen (APAP, Tylenol); antibiotics;
anticoagulants ('blood thinners') such as warfarin (Coumadin);
atorvastatin (Lipitor); clofibrate (Atromid-S); cyclosporine
(Neoral, Sandimmune); griseofulvin (Fulvicin, Grifulvin,
Grisactin); HIV protease inhibitors such as indinavir (Crixivan)
and ritonavir (Norvir); medications for seizures such as
carbamazepine (Tegretol), phenobarbital (Luminal, Solfoton),
phenytoin (Dilantin), and topiramate (Topamax); morphine
(Kadian, MS Contin, MSIR, others); oral steroids such as
dexamethasone (Decadron, Dexone), methylprednisolone (Medrol),
prednisone (Deltasone), and prednisolone (Prelone); phenylbutazone;
rifabutin (Mycobutin); rifampin (Rifadin, Rimactane); temazepam
(Restoril); theophylline (Theobid, Theo-Dur); and thyroid
medication such as levothyroxine (Levothroid, Levoxyl,
Synthroid). Before taking Yasmin, tell your doctor and
pharmacist if you are taking angiotensin-converting enzyme
(ACE) inhibitors such as benazepril (Lotensin), enalapril
(Vasotec), and lisinopril (Prinivil, Zestril); angiotensin
II antagonists such as irbesartan (Avapro), losartan (Cozaar),
and valsartan (Diovan); aspirin and other nonsteroidal
anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDS) such as ibuprofen
(Advil, Motrin) and naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn); diuretics
('water pills') such as amiloride (Midamor), spironolactone
(Aldactone), and triamterene (Dyrenium); or heparin. Your
doctor may need to change the doses of your medications
or monitor you carefully for side effects. * tell your
doctor what herbal products you are taking, especially
St. John's wort. * tell your doctor if you have or have
ever had breast lumps or cancer; endometrial cancer; high
blood pressure; high blood cholesterol and fats; diabetes
(high blood sugar); asthma; stroke; blood clots; toxemia
(high blood pressure during pregnancy); heart attack; epilepsy
(seizures); migraine headaches; depression; liver, heart,
gallbladder, or kidney disease; adrenal insufficiency (for
Yasmin); jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes); vaginal
bleeding between menstrual periods; and excessive weight
gain and fluid retention (bloating) during the menstrual
cycle. * do not take Seasonale if you are pregnant, plan
to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding. If you become
pregnant while taking Seasonale, call your doctor immediately.
* if you are having surgery, including dental surgery,
tell the doctor or dentist that you are taking Seasonale.
* tell your doctor and pharmacist if you wear contact lenses.
If you notice changes in vision or ability to wear your
lenses while taking hormone replacement therapy, see an
eye doctor.
Seasonale OVERDOSE
In case of overdose, call your local poison control center
at 1-800-222-1222. If the victim has collapsed or is not
breathing, call local emergency services at 911.
Seasonale NOTES
Keep all appointments with your doctor and the laboratory.
You should have a complete physical examination every year,
including blood pressure measurements, breast and pelvic
exams, and a Pap test. Follow your doctor's directions
for examining your breasts; report any lumps immediately.
Before you have any laboratory tests, tell the laboratory
personnel that you take Seasonale, as Seasonale may interfere
with some laboratory tests. If you miss one menstrual period
and have taken your tablets as directed, continue taking
them. However, if you miss one period and have not taken
your tablets as directed or if you miss two menstrual periods
and have taken the tablets as directed, call your doctor
and use another method of birth control until you have
a pregnancy test. If you wish to stop taking Seasonale
and become pregnant, use another method of birth control
for at least 3 months after you stop taking the tablets
to be sure that the medication will not harm the fetus.
It may take a long time for you to become pregnant after
you stop taking Seasonale, especially if you have never
had a baby or if you had irregular, infrequent, or complete
absence of menstrual periods before taking Seasonale. Questions
should be discussed with your doctor. Do not let anyone
else take your medication. Ask your pharmacist any questions
you have about refilling your prescription.
MISSED DOSE
If you miss doses of your oral contraceptive, you may be
at risk for becoming pregnant. Instructions about missed
doses are different for different products. Carefully read
the instructions in the manufacturer's information for
the patient. If you have any questions, call your doctor
or pharmacist. If you miss pills, you may need to use a
backup method of birth control for 7 days or until the
end of the cycle.
Seasonale STORAGE
Keep Seasonale in the packet it came in, tightly closed,
and out of reach of children. Store it at room temperature
and away from excess heat and moisture (not in the bathroom).
Throw away any medication that is outdated or no longer
needed. Talk to your pharmacist about the proper disposal
of your medication.
