What is Norgestimate-Ethinyl Estradiol? Uses, warnings & side effects

How to take Norgestimate-Ethinyl Estradiol

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

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

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

• Follow the instructions in the patient leaflet or call your doctor if you vomit or have diarrhea within 3 to 4 hours of taking this medicine.

• Each brand of birth control pills has specific directions. Read and follow the patient instructions for your prescribed brand. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions.

• Ask your doctor if you should use a second form of birth control for the first 7 days of your first cycle of pills.

• Missed dose: Read and carefully follow the patient instructions if you miss a dose. You may need to use a second form of birth control for 1 week. 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.

• Ask your doctor if you should use a second form of birth control for the first 7 days of your first cycle of pills.

• Missed dose: Read and carefully follow the patient instructions if you miss a dose. You may need to use a second form of birth control for 1 week. 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.

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

• Follow the instructions in the patient leaflet or call your doctor if you vomit or have diarrhea within 3 to 4 hours of taking this medicine.

• Each brand of birth control pills has specific directions. Read and follow the patient instructions for your prescribed brand. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions.

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

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

What to do if you miss a dose of Norgestimate-Ethinyl Estradiol

Norgestimate-Ethinyl Estradiol contraindications - Who shouldn't take Norgestimate-Ethinyl Estradiol?

• This medicine is not right for everyone. Do not use it if you had an allergic reaction to ethinyl estradiol or norgestimate, or if you are pregnant or have unusual vaginal bleeding that has not been checked by your doctor. Do not use it if you have liver disease or liver cancer, breast cancer, or blood clotting problems. Do not use it if you have high blood pressure, certain heart problems, or diabetes with kidney, eye, nerve, or blood vessel damage.

Norgestimate-Ethinyl Estradiol warnings

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

• 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 cervical cancer, diabetes, epilepsy, gallbladder disease, migraine headaches, heart or blood vessel disease, high cholesterol, a history of chloasma gravidarum (skin discoloration of the face during pregnancy), or depression, or a family history of breast cancer. Tell your doctor if you smoke or if you are having a surgery that requires inactivity for a long time.

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

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

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

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

• 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.

• Tell your doctor right away if you think you have become pregnant. If you miss 2 monthly periods in a row, call your doctor for a pregnancy test before you take any more pills.

• You might have spotting or irregular bleeding when you first start using this medicine. You might have unplanned bleeding if you miss a dose or are late taking it. However, if you have heavy bleeding, call your doctor.

Norgestimate-Ethinyl Estradiol interactions & what to avoid when taking Norgestimate-Ethinyl Estradiol

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

• Some foods and medicines can affect how birth control pills work. Tell your doctor if you are also using the following: Acetaminophen, aprepitant, ascorbic acid, aspirin, atorvastatin, bosentan, clofibrate, colesevelam, cyclosporine, morphine, prednisolone, rosuvastatin, St John's wort, temazepam, theophylline, tizanidineMedicine to treat an infection (including griseofulvin, fluconazole, itraconazole, ketoconazole, rifabutin, rifampicin, voriconazoleMedicine to treat HIV/AIDS (including amprenavir/ritonavir, atazanavir/ritonavir, boceprevir, darunavir/ritonavir, etravirine, fosamprenavir/ritonavir, indinavir, lopinavir/ritonavir, nelfinavir, nevirapine, ritonavir, telaprevir, tipranavir/ritonavir)Medicine to treat seizures (including carbamazepine, felbamate, lamotrigine, oxcarbazepine, phenytoin, rufinamide, topiramate)Thyroid replacement medicine

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