The Web Health

Aviane

Generic name: ethinyl estradiol and levonorgestrel [ETH-in-ill-ess-tra-DYE-ol-and-LEE-vo-nor-JESS-trel]
Drug class: contraceptives

What is Aviane?

Aviane is a birth control pill containing female hormones to prevent ovulation (the release of an egg from an ovary). Aviane also causes changes in your cervical mucus and uterine lining, making it harder for sperm to reach the uterus and harder for a fertilised egg to attach to the uterus.Aviane is used as a contraceptive to prevent pregnancy.Aviane does not protect against the transmission of HIV (AIDS) and other sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) such as chlamydia, genital herpes, genital warts, gonorrhoea, hepatitis B, and syphilis.

Warnings

Do not take Aviane during pregnancy or shortly after giving birth.Aviane should not be taken if you suffer from uncontrolled high blood pressure, heart disease, coronary artery disease, circulation problems (especially related to diabetes), undiagnosed vaginal bleeding or liver cancer. severe migraine headaches, if you also take certain hepatitis C medication, if you will have major surgery, if you smoke and are over 35, or if you have ever had a heart attack, a stroke, a blood clot, jaundice caused by pregnancy or birth control pills, or cancer of the breast, uterus/cervix, or vagina.Birth control pills increase your risk of blood clots, stroke, or heart attacks.Smoking significantly increases your risk for blood clots, stroke, or heart attack - this medicine should not be taken by those aged over 35 who smoke tobacco products.

Before you take this drug

Taken over time, taking this medication could increase your risk of blood clots, stroke, or heart attacks. You are even more at risk if you have high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol, or are overweight. Your risk of stroke or blood clots is highest during your first year of taking Aviane. Risk increases significantly if you begin taking this medicine after missing four or more weeks without doing so.Smoking increases your risk for blood clots, stroke, or heart attacks exponentially as time and smoking habits change with age and with each successive puff you take. Aviane should not be taken by smokers aged over 35.Do not use it if you are pregnant. Stop taking this medicine immediately if you become pregnant, miss two menstrual periods consecutively or recently had a baby and begin using birth control pills again within four weeks after giving birth.

Aviane should not be taken if you suffer from:

  • Untreated or uncontrolled high blood pressure;
  • Heart disease includes symptoms like chest pain, coronary artery disease and history of heart attack, stroke or blood clot;
  • Heart or blood disorders increase your risk for blood clots;
  • Circulation problems (especially if caused by diabetes);
  • Are you at risk of hormone-related cancer or any kind? Breast, uterine/cervix and/or vagina cancer;
  • Be alert for vaginal bleeding that does not seem normal and has not been evaluated by a healthcare provider;
  • Liver disease or liver cancer;
  • Migraines that cause auras, numbness, weakness or vision changes tend to increase significantly as you get older than 35; for those experiencing these types of headaches;
  • Have a history of jaundice caused by pregnancy or birth control pills;
  • If you take any hepatitis c medication containing ombitasvir, paritaprevir, or ritonavir (technivie).

As part of your safety precautions when taking aviane, be sure to inform your physician of any:

  • Heart disease, high blood pressure or susceptibility to blood clots;
  • If you have high cholesterol or triglycerides levels or are overweight; or are experiencing health conditions;
  • Depression;
  • A seizure or migraine headache;
  • Diabetes, gallbladder disease,
  • Liver or kidney disease;
  • Irregular menstrual cycles;
  • Are you suffering from fibcystic breast disease, lump or nodule formation or an abnormal mammogram

Aviane can slow breast milk production. You should not breastfeed while using this medicine.

How to take Aviane?

Take Aviane exactly as prescribed by your doctor.Carefully follow all instructions listed on your prescription label and read any medication guides or instruction sheets provided with it.Take your first pill on or near the first Sunday following your period starting, either the same day as or immediately prior.You may need to use backup birth control, such as condoms or spermicide, when you first start using this medicine. Follow your doctor's instructions.Take one pill per day no more than 24 hours apart until all pills have run out; when these run out, start on new packs the following day. Failing to do this could increase the chances of pregnancy; get your prescription filled ASAP before your supply runs dry completely!Some birth control packs contain reminder pills designed to put you back on your regular cycle and start your period on time. Most periods will start within days of starting these reminder pills.As with other medications, take your chewable tablet (pill) either with water, or, for maximum effect, completely swallowing the pill as is.Take it on an empty stomach.Use a backup birth control plan if you are sick with severe vomiting or diarrhoea.At first, breakthrough bleeding may occur during your pregnancy's initial three months. If this bleed persists or becomes heavy, please notify your healthcare provider as soon as possible.If you require major surgery or are going on long-term bed rest, Aviane may need to be discontinued temporarily for your safety and for those treating you to know. Any doctor or surgeon that treats you should also know you use Aviane.While taking Aviane, you will need to visit your doctor regularly.Store at room temperature, away from moisture, heat, and light.

Details on dosage

Usual Adult Dose for Contraception:

Oral tablets: Take one (1) oral tablet daily at approximately the same time of day in accordance with what's indicated on your blister pack.

What happens if I miss the dose?

Follow the patient instructions provided with your medicine.Dropping one or more pills increases your chance of pregnancy.If you miss one active pill, take two pills on the day that you remember. Then take one pill per day for the rest of the pack.If you miss two active pills consecutively during Weeks 1-2, take two pills every other day until two consecutive active pills have been taken and one pill daily thereafter for the rest of the pack. Use backup birth control for at least 7 days following the missed pills.If you miss two active pills consecutively during Week 3, discard all remaining medication from that pack immediately and begin another pack on that same day if possible. a Day 1 starter. If you tend to start your week on Sunday, continue taking one pill each day until then. On Sunday, it is best to get rid of everything remaining from your old pack and begin fresh with new materials on that same day.If an active pill is missed three consecutive weeks in Weeks 1-3, discard all remaining pills from that pack and start another on that same date.day if you are a Day 1 starter. If you prefer starting on Sundays, take one pill each day prior to Sunday and dispose of any left in your pack before beginning a fresh pack that day.Missed two or more active pills could make it impossible to have your period. If this persists over two months, be sure to contact a healthcare provider as you could possibly be pregnant.If you miss one, dispose of it and continue taking one reminder pill per day until all are used up.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help Line at 1-800-222-1222. Overdose symptoms may include nausea, vomiting and drowsiness.

Aviod this

Do not smoke while taking Aviane, especially if you are older than 35 years of age.Birth control pills cannot protect against sexually transmitted diseases like HIV and AIDS; using a condom is the only reliable means of protecting oneself against these risks.

Side effect of Aviane

Be wary if you experience symptoms associated with Aviane allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; facial, lips, tongue or throat swelling and redness. Seek emergency medical assistance immediately in such an instance.

Stop taking Aviane immediately and contact a medical provider as soon as you suspect any adverse reaction:

  • Signs of Stroke include sudden numbness or weakness (especially on one side of the body), severe headache, slurred speech and balance problems;
  • Signs of blood clot include sudden vision loss, stabbing chest pain, feeling short of breath, coughing up blood and reddening or swelling in an arm or leg;
  • Heart attack symptoms: chest discomfort or pressure, spread to jaw or shoulder pain and sweating;
  • Liver problems: loss of appetite, upper stomach pain, tiredness, fever, dark urine, clay-coloured stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes);
  • Increased blood pressure--headache, blurry vision and pounding noises in neck or ears;
  • Gallbladder problem: chalky-coloured stools, stomach pain after eating, nausea, heartburn, bloating, and severe upper stomach pain that may spread to your back;
  • Swelling in your hands, ankles, or feet;
  • Changes in the pattern or severity of migraine headaches;
  • A breast lump;
  • Symptoms of depression: sleep problems, weakness, tiredness, and mood changes.

Common Aviane side effects may include:

  • Nausea and vomiting (especially when you first start taking this medicine);
  • Breast tenderness;
  • Breakthrough bleeding;
  • Acne, darkening of facial skin;
  • Weight gain;
  • Problems with contact lenses.

This is not a complete list of side effects, and others may occur. Reach out to your physician if experiencing side effects and submit reports directly to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Interaction with other drug

Other drugs may interact with ethinyl estradiol and levonorgestrel, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Some drugs can make Aviane less effective, which may result in pregnancy. Tell your doctor about all your current medicines and any medicine you start or stop using.