What is Balcoltra: Uses, Warnings & Interactions

Your doctor will tell you how much medicine to use. Do not use more than directed.

Read and follow the patient instructions that come with this medicine. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions.

Carefully follow your doctor's instructions about when to start taking your medicine. You may begin taking the pills on the first day of your menstrual period, or on the Sunday after your period begins.

You should also use a second form of birth control (including condoms, diaphragms, or contraceptive foams and jellies) when you first start using this medicine.

Take this medicine at the same time every day. Birth control pills work best when there is no more than 24 hours between doses.

Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light.

Missed dose: This medicine has specific patient instructions on what to do if you miss a dose. Read and follow these instructions carefully, and call your doctor if you have any questions.If you miss one active pill, take it as soon as you can. Then take your next pill at the regular time. This means you may take two pills in one day.If you miss two active pills in week 1 or 2, take two pills as soon as you can and two more pills the next day. Continue taking one pill a day until you finish the pack. Use another kind of birth control for seven days after you miss a dose.If you miss two active pills in week 3 or three or more active pills in a row in weeks 1, 2, or 3:Day 1 start€”Throw out the rest of your pills and start a new pack on the same day.Sunday start€”Continue taking one pill a day until Sunday, then throw out the rest of the pack and start a new pack that same day.Use a second form of birth control (including condom, spermicide) for 7 days after you miss a dose, to prevent pregnancy.You could have light bleeding or spotting any time you do not take a pill on schedule. The more pills you miss, the more likely you are to have bleeding.If you miss two periods in a row, call your doctor for a pregnancy test before you take any more pills.

Your doctor will tell you how much medicine to use. Do not use more than directed.

Read and follow the patient instructions that come with this medicine. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions.

Carefully follow your doctor's instructions about when to start taking your medicine. You may begin taking the pills on the first day of your menstrual period, or on the Sunday after your period begins.

You should also use a second form of birth control (including condoms, diaphragms, or contraceptive foams and jellies) when you first start using this medicine.

Take this medicine at the same time every day. Birth control pills work best when there is no more than 24 hours between doses.

Missed dose: This medicine has specific patient instructions on what to do if you miss a dose. Read and follow these instructions carefully, and call your doctor if you have any questions.If you miss one active pill, take it as soon as you can. Then take your next pill at the regular time. This means you may take two pills in one day.If you miss two active pills in week 1 or 2, take two pills as soon as you can and two more pills the next day. Continue taking one pill a day until you finish the pack. Use another kind of birth control for seven days after you miss a dose.If you miss two active pills in week 3 or three or more active pills in a row in weeks 1, 2, or 3:Day 1 start€”Throw out the rest of your pills and start a new pack on the same day.Sunday start€”Continue taking one pill a day until Sunday, then throw out the rest of the pack and start a new pack that same day.Use a second form of birth control (including condom, spermicide) for 7 days after you miss a dose, to prevent pregnancy.You could have light bleeding or spotting any time you do not take a pill on schedule. The more pills you miss, the more likely you are to have bleeding.If you miss two periods in a row, call your doctor for a pregnancy test before you take any more pills.

Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light.

You could have light bleeding or spotting any time you do not take a pill on time. The more pills you miss, the more likely you are to have bleeding.

To prevent a pregnancy, you should use a second form of birth control for the next seven days after you miss a dose. Some other forms of birth control include condoms, diaphragms, or contraceptive foams or jellies.

Your doctor will tell you how much medicine to use. Do not use more than directed.

Read and follow the patient instructions that come with this medicine. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions.

Follow your doctor's instructions carefully about when to start taking your medicine. You may begin taking the pills on the first day of your menstrual period or on the Sunday after your period begins.

Take your pills at the same time every day in the order they appear in the container. Birth control pills work best when there is no more than 24 hours between doses.

If you vomit or have diarrhea within 3 to 4 hours of taking this medicine, treat this a missed dose and follow the patient instructions or call your doctor.

Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light.

Missed dose: This medicine has specific patient instructions on what to do if you miss a dose. Read and follow these instructions carefully, and call your doctor if you have any questions.If you miss one active pill, take it as soon as you can. Then take your next pill at the regular time. This means you may take two pills in one day.If you miss two active pills in week 1 or 2, take two pills as soon as you can and two more pills the next day. Continue taking one pill a day until you finish the pack. Use another kind of birth control for seven days after you miss 2 doses.If you miss two active pills in week 3 or three or more active pills in a row in weeks 1, 2, or 3:Day 1 start€”Throw out the rest of your pills and start a new pack on the same day.Sunday start€”Continue taking one pill a day until Sunday, then throw out the rest of the pack and start a new pack that same day.Use a second form of birth control (including condom, spermicide) for 7 days after you miss a dose, to prevent pregnancy.You could have light bleeding or spotting any time you do not take a pill on schedule. The more pills you miss, the more likely you are to have bleeding.If you miss two periods in a row, call your doctor for a pregnancy test before you take any more pills.

You should also use a second form of birth control (including condoms, diaphragms, or contraceptive foams and jellies) when you first start using this medicine.

Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light.

If you vomit or have diarrhea within 3 to 4 hours of taking this medicine, treat this a missed dose and follow the patient instructions or call your doctor.

Take your pills at the same time every day in the order they appear in the container. Birth control pills work best when there is no more than 24 hours between doses.

Your doctor will tell you how much medicine to use. Do not use more than directed.

You should also use a second form of birth control (including condoms, diaphragms, or contraceptive foams and jellies) when you first start using this medicine.

Missed dose: This medicine has specific patient instructions on what to do if you miss a dose. Read and follow these instructions carefully, and call your doctor if you have any questions.If you miss one active pill, take it as soon as you can. Then take your next pill at the regular time. This means you may take two pills in one day.If you miss two active pills in week 1 or 2, take two pills as soon as you can and two more pills the next day. Continue taking one pill a day until you finish the pack. Use another kind of birth control for seven days after you miss 2 doses.If you miss two active pills in week 3 or three or more active pills in a row in weeks 1, 2, or 3:Day 1 start€”Throw out the rest of your pills and start a new pack on the same day.Sunday start€”Continue taking one pill a day until Sunday, then throw out the rest of the pack and start a new pack that same day.Use a second form of birth control (including condom, spermicide) for 7 days after you miss a dose, to prevent pregnancy.You could have light bleeding or spotting any time you do not take a pill on schedule. The more pills you miss, the more likely you are to have bleeding.If you miss two periods in a row, call your doctor for a pregnancy test before you take any more pills.

Read and follow the patient instructions that come with this medicine. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions.

Follow your doctor's instructions carefully about when to start taking your medicine. You may begin taking the pills on the first day of your menstrual period or on the Sunday after your period begins.

Your doctor will tell you how much of this medicine to take and how often. Do not take more medicine or take it more often than your doctor tells you to. Carefully follow your doctor's instructions about any special diet.

It is best to take this medicine on an empty stomach, 1 hour before or 2 hours after a meal. Take the medicine with a full glass or water or fruit juice. If the medicine upsets your stomach, you may take it with food.

The chewable tablet must be chewed or crushed before you swallow it.

Measure the oral liquid medicine with a marked measuring spoon or medicine cup.

The oral liquid may stain your teeth. These stains can be prevented by mixing the medicine with water or other liquids (such as fruit juice, tomato juice), and drinking the medicine with a straw. To remove any iron stains, brush your teeth with baking soda or peroxide.

Measure the oral liquid medicine with a marked measuring spoon or medicine cup.

The oral liquid may stain your teeth. These stains can be prevented by mixing the medicine with water or other liquids (such as fruit juice, tomato juice), and drinking the medicine with a straw. To remove any iron stains, brush your teeth with baking soda or peroxide.

The chewable tablet must be chewed or crushed before you swallow it.

Your doctor will tell you how much of this medicine to take and how often. Do not take more medicine or take it more often than your doctor tells you to. Carefully follow your doctor's instructions about any special diet.

It is best to take this medicine on an empty stomach, 1 hour before or 2 hours after a meal. Take the medicine with a full glass or water or fruit juice. If the medicine upsets your stomach, you may take it with food.

If you miss a dose or forget to take your medicine, take it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then to take the medicine and skip the missed dose.

Do not use extra medicine to make up for a missed dose.

If you started this medicine on the Sunday after your period started and you miss three or more pink pills in a row during any week, keep taking one pill every day until the next Sunday. Then throw away the rest of your pills and start a new pack on that same Sunday.

To prevent a pregnancy, you should use a second form of birth control for the next seven days after you miss a dose. Some other forms of birth control include condoms, diaphragms, or contraceptive foams or jellies.

This medicine has specific patient instructions on what to do if you miss a dose. Read and follow these instructions carefully, and call your doctor if you have any questions

If you miss one pink pill, take it as soon as you can. Then take your next pill at the regular time. This means you may take two pills in one day.

If you miss two pink pills in a row during Week 1 or 2, take two pills as soon as you can. Take two more pills on the next day. Then go back to your regular schedule of taking one pill every day. Use a second form of birth control until you have been taking pink pills for seven days in a row.

If you miss your pills and change your schedule, you may not have a period for that month. Make sure your doctor knows if you miss your period two months in a row, because you may be pregnant.

If you started this medicine on Day 1 of your period and you miss two pink pills in a row during Week 3, throw out the rest of your pills and start a new pack the same day. If you miss three or more pink pills in a row during any week, throw out the rest of your pills and start a new pack the same day.

You could have light bleeding or spotting any time you do not take a pill on time. The more pills you miss, the more likely you are to have bleeding.

If you started this medicine on the Sunday after your period started and you miss two pink pills in a row during Week 3, keep taking one pill every day until the next Sunday. Then throw away the rest of your pills and start a new pack on that same Sunday.

This medicine is not right for everyone. Do not use this medicine if you had an allergic reaction to levonorgestrel or ethinyl estradiol, or if you are pregnant. Do not use this medicine if you have active liver disease or liver cancer, breast cancer, uterine cancer, a blood vessel disorder, heart disease, high blood pressure that is not controlled, or a history of blood clots, heart attack, or stroke. Do not use this medicine if you have unusual vaginal bleeding that has not been checked by a doctor or if you ever had jaundice (yellow skin or eyes) caused by pregnancy or birth control pills.

This medicine is not right for everyone. Do not use it if you had an allergic reaction to levonorgestrel, ethinyl estradiol, or ferrous bisglycinate, or if you are pregnant. Do not use it if you have unusual vaginal bleeding, liver disease (including liver cancer), breast cancer, blood clotting problems, certain heart problems, or headaches.

You should not use this medicine if you have had an allergic reaction to iron supplements, or if you have a condition called hemachromatosis (iron overload disease) or hemosiderosis (iron in the lungs), or any type of anemia that is not caused by iron deficiency.

Keep all medicine out of the reach of children. Never share your medicine with anyone.

This medicine contains a food, drug, and cosmetic dye, called tartrazine, which may cause unwanted effects in some people. Tell your doctor if you have asthma or an allergy to aspirin.

Your doctor will do lab tests at regular visits to check on the effects of this medicine. Keep all appointments.

This medicine may cause the following problems:Increased risk of heart attack, stroke, or blood clotsLiver problems (including liver tumor or cancer)High blood pressureGallbladder diseaseHigh cholesterol in the bloodPossible increased risk of breast or cervical cancer

This medicine may cause skin discoloration. Use a sunscreen when you are outdoors. Avoid sunlamps and tanning beds.

Tell your doctor if you are breastfeeding, or if you had given birth within 4 weeks before you start using this medicine. Tell your doctor if you have kidney disease, diabetes, gallbladder disease, hereditary angioedema, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, migraines, or a history of breast cancer, cervical cancer, depression, or chloasma gravidarum or jaundice during pregnancy. Tell your doctor if you smoke or if you are having a surgery that requires inactivity for a long time.

Tell any doctor or dentist who treats you that you are using this medicine. This medicine may affect certain medical test results.

It is not safe to take this medicine during pregnancy. It could harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant.

This medicine will not protect you from getting HIV/AIDS or other sexually transmitted infections.

Tell any doctor or dentist who treats you that you are using this medicine. You may need to stop using this medicine several days before you have surgery or medical tests.

Keep all medicine out of the reach of children. Never share your medicine with anyone.

This medicine will not protect you from getting HIV/AIDS or other sexually transmitted diseases.

You might have some light bleeding or spotting when you first start using this medicine. This is usually normal and should not last long. However, if you have heavy bleeding or the bleeding lasts more than seven days in a row, call your doctor€™s office.

If you miss two periods in a row, call your doctor for a pregnancy test before you take any more pills.

Tell any doctor or dentist who treats you that you are using this medicine. You may need to stop using this medicine several days before you have surgery or medical tests.

Tell any doctor or dentist who treats you that you are using this medicine. This medicine may affect certain medical test results.

Your doctor will do lab tests at regular visits to check on the effects of this medicine. Keep all appointments.

Sweating, nausea or vomiting, pain in your chest, jaw, and left arm.

Swelling in your hands, ankles, or feet.

Unusual bleeding or bruising.

Yellowing of your skin or the whites of your eyes.

It is not safe to take this medicine during pregnancy. It could harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant.

Tell your doctor if you are breastfeeding, or if you have recently been pregnant. Tell your doctor if you have high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, breast lumps, migraine headache, hereditary angioedema, or a history of depression, epilepsy, gallbladder disease, heart disease, kidney disease, or irregular monthly periods. Tell your doctor if you smoke, wear contact lenses, or if you are having surgery that requires inactivity for a long time.

This medicine may cause the following problems:Increased risk of heart attack, stroke, or blood clotsIncreased risk of cancer (including cancer of the breast, endometrium, ovaries, and cervix)Liver problems (including liver tumor or cancer)Eye or vision problemsGallbladder diseaseHigh cholesterol in the bloodHigh blood pressure

Make sure your doctor knows if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or if you have stomach or intestinal problems, an active infection, diabetes, porphyria, or other medical problems.

Make sure any doctor or dentist who treats you knows that you are using this medicine. Iron may affect the results of certain medical tests.

Iron can cause your stools to be darker in color. This is normal and is not a cause for concern.

Fever

Pale or clammy skin

Severe or continuing stomach cramps, vomiting (with or without blood)

Shallow breathing, weakness, weak but fast heartbeat

Avoid the following foods, or eat them in small amounts at least 1 hour before or 2 hours after taking your iron: eggs, milk, cheese, yogurt, tea or coffee, whole-grain cereals, and breads.

Do not take iron supplements by mouth if you are also receiving iron injections.

Make sure your doctor knows if you are also using phenytoin (Dilantin®), acetohydroxamic acid (Lithostat®), or antibiotics such as demeclocycline, doxycycline (Vibramycin®), Cipro®, Levaquin®, minocycline, moxifloxacin (Avelox®), Tequin®, or tetracycline.

Tell your doctor if you are using antacids (such as Maalox® or Mylanta®).

Do not use this medicine together with medicine to treat hepatitis C virus infection, including ombitasvir/paritaprevir/ritonavir, with or without dasabuvir.

Some medicines can affect how levonorgestrel/ethinyl estradiol works. Tell your doctor if you are using any of the following:Acetaminophen, ascorbic acid (vitamin C), atorvastatin, bosentan, cyclosporine, phenylbutazone, rifampin, St John's wort, theophyllineMedicine to treat an infection (including ampicillin, fluconazole, griseofulvin, tetracycline, troleandomycin)Medicine to treat HIV/AIDS (including indinavir, modafinil, ritonavir)Medicine to treat seizures (including carbamazepine, felbamate, lamotrigine, oxcarbazepine, phenobarbital, phenytoin, primidone, topiramate)

Your risk of heart disease or stroke from this medicine is higher if you smoke. Your risk is also increased if you have diabetes or high cholesterol, or if you are overweight. Talk with your doctor about ways to stop smoking. Keep your diabetes under control. Ask your doctor about diet and exercise to control your weight and blood cholesterol level.

This medicine may also increase your risk of certain types of cancer. Talk to your doctor if you have concerns about this risk.

You might have some light bleeding or spotting when you first start using this medicine. This is usually normal and should not last long. However, if you have heavy bleeding or the bleeding lasts more than seven days in a row, call your doctor€™s office. You should not have a "normal" menstrual period until you start taking the white pills. The white pills are the last seven pills in your package and do not contain hormones.

Call your doctor for a pregnancy test if your menstrual period does not start when you take the last seven white pills.

Tell any doctor or dentist who treats you that you are using this medicine. This medicine may affect certain medical test results.

Your doctor will check your progress and the effects of this medicine at regular visits. Keep all appointments.

This medicine will not protect you from getting HIV, AIDS, or other sexually transmitted diseases. If this is a concern for you, talk with your doctor.

Some medicines can affect how levonorgestrel/ethinyl estradiol/ferrous bisglycinate works. Tell your doctor if you are using any of the following:Acetaminophen, aprepitant, ascorbic acid, bosentan, carbamazepine, clofibric acid, cyclosporine, felbamate, fluconazole, griseofulvin, itraconazole, ketoconazole, lamotrigine, morphine, oxcarbazepine, phenobarbital, phenytoin, prednisolone, rifabutin, rifampicin, rufinamide, salicylic acid, St John€™s wort, temazepam, theophylline, tizanidine, topiramate, voriconazoleMedicine to treat HIV/AIDS (including amprenavir/ritonavir, atazanavir/ritonavir, boceprevir, darunavir/ritonavir, efavirenz, etravirine, fosamprenavir/ritonavir, indinavir, lopinavir/ritonavir, nelfinavir, nevirapine, ritonavir, telaprevir, tipranavir/ritonavir)Thyroid medicines

Do not use this medicine together with medicine to treat hepatitis C virus infection, including ombitasvir/paritaprevir/ritonavir, with or without dasabuvir.

Do not drink grapefruit juice while you are using this medicine.

If you are also taking colesevelam, take it 4 hours before or after you use this medicine.