What should I tell my care team before I take this medication?
They need to know if you have or ever had any of these conditions:
-Blood clotting disorder or history of blood clots
-Blood vessel disease
-Cancer, such as breast, cervical, endometrial, ovarian, liver, or uterine cancer
-Diabetes
-Gallbladder disease
-Heart disease or recent heart attack
-High blood pressure
-High cholesterol
-Kidney disease
-Liver disease
-Migraine headaches
-Stroke
-Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)
-Tobacco use
-Unusual vaginal bleeding
-An unusual or allergic reaction to estrogens, progestins, other medications, foods, dyes, or preservatives
-Pregnant or trying to get pregnant
-Breastfeeding
What may interact with this medication?
Do not take this medication with the following:
-Dasabuvir; ombitasvir; paritaprevir; ritonavir
-Ombitasvir; paritaprevir; ritonavir
-Tranexamic acid
This medication may also interact with the following:
-Acetaminophen
-Antibiotics, such as rifampin
-Aprepitant
-Ascorbic acid (vitamin C)
-Atorvastatin
-Bosentan
-Caffeine
-Certain medications for breast cancer, such as anastrozole, exemestane, letrozole
-Certain medications for seizures, such as carbamazepine, phenytoin, phenobarbital, topiramate
-Clofibrate
-Colesevelam
-Cyclosporine
-Dantrolene
-Doxercalciferol
-Felbamate
-Grapefruit juice
-Hydrocortisone
-Medications for anxiety or sleeping problems, such as diazepam or temazepam
-Medications for diabetes, including pioglitazone
-Mineral oil
-Modafinil
-Mycophenolate
-Nefazodone
-Oxcarbazepine
-Prednisolone
-Ritonavir or other medications for HIV infection or AIDS
-Rosuvastatin
-Selegiline
-Supplements, such as soy isoflavones or St. John's wort
-Steroid medications, such as prednisone or cortisone
-Tamoxifen or raloxifene
-Theophylline
-Thyroid hormones
-Warfarin
This medication may affect how other medications work, and other medications may affect the way this medication works. Talk with your care team about all of the medications you take. They may suggest changes to your treatment plan to lower the risk of side effects and to make sure your medications work as intended.
This list may not describe all possible interactions. Give your health care provider a list of all the medicines, herbs, non-prescription drugs, or dietary supplements you use. Also tell them if you smoke, drink alcohol, or use illegal drugs. Some items may interact with your medicine.
What should I watch for while using this medication?
Visit your care team for regular checks while on this medication. You will need a regular breast and pelvic exam and Pap smear while on this medication.
Use an additional method of contraception during the first cycle that you take these tablets.
If you have any reason to think you are pregnant, stop taking this medication right away and contact your care team.
If you are taking this medication for hormone related problems, it may take several cycles of use to see improvement in your condition.
Smoking tobacco increases the risk of getting a blood clot or having a stroke while you are taking this medication, especially if you are older than 35 years.
This medication can make your body retain fluid, making your fingers, hands, or ankles swell. Your blood pressure can go up. Contact your care team if you feel you are retaining fluid.
This medication can make you more sensitive to the sun. Keep out of the sun. If you cannot avoid being in the sun, wear protective clothing and sunscreen. Do not use sun lamps, tanning beds, or tanning booths.
If you wear contact lenses and notice visual changes, or if the lenses begin to feel uncomfortable, consult your eye care specialist.
Tenderness, swelling, or minor bleeding of the gums may occur. Talk to your dentist if this happens. Brushing and flossing your teeth regularly may reduce the risk of side effects. Visit your dentist on a regular basis. Tell your dentist about any medications you are taking.
If you are going to need surgery or other procedure, tell your care team that you are using this medication.
Using this medication does not protect you or your partner against HIV or other sexually transmitted infections (STIs).
What are the most serious risks of this medication?
This medication can increase the risk of serious blood clots, which can cause a heart attack or stroke. This risk increases if you are older than 35 years of age or use tobacco. You are strongly advised not to use tobacco.