What is Aygestin?
Aygestin, also known as progesterone, is an important female hormone that regulates ovulation.Aygestin can be used to prevent pregnancy through contraception.Aygestin can also be used for endometriosis or to control abnormal vaginal bleeding due to a hormonal imbalance.Aygestin is not all the same. Some Aygestin brands can only be used for contraception. Some brands are used to treat endometriosis and vaginal bleeding disorders. Use only the form and strength prescribed by your doctor to avoid medication mistakes.This medication guide does not list all possible uses of Aygestin.
Side effects of Aygestin
If you experience any of the following symptoms of an allergy reaction, seek immediate medical attention: difficulty breathing, hives, swelling in your lips, face, throat, or tongue.
Aygestin can cause severe side effects. If you experience:
- Sudden vision loss, bulging eyes, or severe headache;
- Rapid weight gain and swelling
- Unusual vaginal bleeding
- Missed menstrual cycles
- Pelvic pain, especially on one side
- Breast lumps;
- A feeling of lightheadedness, as if you could pass out.
- Increased thirst leads to increased urination.
- If you have liver disease, it can cause nausea, dark urine (on the upper right side), fatigue, and jaundice.
- Signs of blood clots include sudden numbness, weakness or problems speking or seeing, pain in the chest, shortness of breath and swelling of an arm or limb.
Aygestin side effects may include:
- Unusually heavy vaginal bleeding
- Headache;
- Breast pain or swelling
- Stomach pain, bloating, nausea, vomiting;
- Hair loss;
- Having trouble falling asleep or feeling depressed;
- Weight gain or weight loss
- Vaginal itching or discharge
There may be other side effects. For medical advice on side effects, call your doctor. Report side effects by calling the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Similar/related drugs
Premarin, Progesterone, Norethindrone, Medroxyprogesterone, Megestrol, Provera, and Leuprolide
Warning
Aygestin should not be used if you suffer from vaginal bleeding that hasn't been diagnosed; cancer of the breast; or liver disease. Aygestin may not work for you if your medical history includes a stroke or blood clot.Avoid using if pregnant or trying for pregnancy.You should avoid taking Aygestin in some situations if you're nursing.
Before you take this drug
Aygestin should not be used if:
- Unusual vaginal bleeding not checked by your doctor
- A liver tumor or liver disease;
- Breast Cancer
- A history of blood clots on your legs, brain, eyes, or lungs
If you get pregnant, stop taking Aygestin and immediately tell your doctor.You should ask your doctor if you can use this medication while breastfeeding. You may not be able to take Aygestin while you're breastfeeding in some situations.
If you've ever:
- Hypertension and heart diseases.
- Liver disease
- Depression;
- Migraine headaches
- Diabetes;
- High cholesterol (or triglycerides);
- Fibroid tumors of the uterus;
- Epilepsy;
- Kidney disease
- Asthma
- If you smoke.
This medicine should not be given to children without consulting a doctor.
How to take Aygestin?
Read all the instructions or guides that come with your medication and follow all the directions. Follow the directions on your prescription label.Follow your doctor’s instructions on when to begin taking Aygestin as contraception if switching from combination birth control pills.You should take one Aygestin pill per day for contraception. The interval between pills must not exceed 24 hours. If you don't take one daily pill, it is possible to become pregnant.If you have diarrhea or vomiting, you may want to consider using a backup contraceptive (condoms with spermicide) or if you missed your dose by 3 hours or more.Aygestin is usually taken for 5–10 days for abnormal bleeding or menstrual problems. You will experience vaginal bleeding 3–7 days after the last dose.Aygestin is taken long-term, daily, for several months. You may need to change the dose from time to time.Regularly, your doctor should monitor the progress of your treatment. Monthly, self-examine breasts to look for lumps. Also have mammograms.Do not hesitate to report any abnormal bleeding in the vaginal area.Aygestin may affect certain medical tests. Inform any physician who treats you about your use of this medication.Keep this medicine at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and light.
What happens if I miss the dose?
Follow the instructions on your medication or call your doctor.If you miss a dose of birth control, your chances of getting pregnant increase. Take the medication as soon as possible if you forget to take it. Use a backup birth control method for 48 hours if you're more than three hours late. Continue to take your pills at your regularly scheduled times.Call your doctor if you have missed two periods in a row. You might be pregnant.
What happens if I overdose?
Call 1-800-222-1222 for poison help or seek immediate medical attention.An aygestin overdose is unlikely to cause harm.
Avoid this
Do not use estrogen medication unless your doctor tells you to.Avoid Smoking. This can increase the risk of blood clots and heart attacks while using aygestin contraception.Aygestin does not provide protection against sexually transmissible diseases, including HIV or AIDS. The only way to prevent these diseases is by using a condom.
Interaction with other drug
Aygestin can be less effective with certain drugs, which could lead to an unintended pregnancy when you are using Aygestin as contraception. Inform your doctor of all other medications, including:
- John's wort;
- Medicine to treat an infection.
- Medicine to treat tuberculosis
- Medicine to treat hiv/aids
- Seizure medication.
The list below is not exhaustive. Aygestin may be affected by other drugs, such as vitamins and herbs. This list does not include all of the possible interactions with other drugs.
