What is Introvale (extended-cycle)?
Introvale contains female hormones, which prevent ovulation. Introvale can also cause changes to your uterine and cervical mucus, which makes it more difficult for fertilized eggs to adhere to the uterus. Introvale can be used to avoid pregnancy. This medication guide does not list all possible uses for Introvale.
Side effects of Introvale (extended-cycle)
If you experience any of the following symptoms of an allergy: difficulty breathing, hives, swelling in your lips, face, throat, or tongue
Some birth control pills can cause severe side effects. Call your doctor immediately if:
- Signs of a Stroke: sudden numbness, weakness, or a severe headache; slurred words; problems with balance.
- Signs of blood clots: sudden vision loss, chest pain stabbed, shortness of breath, blood in the cough, swelling of an arm or leg.
- Heart attack symptoms: chest pain, pressure or pain in your shoulder or jaw, nausea, and sweating.
- If you have liver disease, look for symptoms such as fatigue, nausea, dark urine or stools with a clay color, fever, and jaundice.
- Increased blood pressure—severe head pain, blurred or distorted vision, and a pounding sensation in the neck, ears, or shoulders;
- You may experience swelling of your ankles or feet, hands, or even both.
- Changes in migraine headache symptoms or patterns;
- A breast lump,
- Symptoms of depression include sleep problems, fatigue, feeling weak, and changes in mood.
Some of the common side effects that Introvale can cause include:
- Mild nausea, especially when taking the medicine for the first time; vomiting; and stomach cramps.
- Breast tenderness, swelling, or discharge.
- Hair Loss or Uneven Growth;
- Changes in appetite or weight
- Contact lenses: problems with them
- Vaginal itching, or discharge
- Changes in menstrual cycles, reduced sexual drive
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
Norethindrone, Levonorgestrel, Medroxyprogesterone, Depo-Provera, Provera, and Nexplanon
Warnings
Avoid using birth control pills when you're pregnant or have just had a child.
Birth control pills should be avoided if: you are suffering from uncontrolled hypertension, heart problems, circulatory issues (especially in diabetes), liver diseases or liver cancers, migraine headaches that last for days, you're planning major surgery, you've had a previous heart attack or stroke, a blood clot or jaundice due to pregnancy, birth control pills, or cancers of the uterus, cervix, or breast.
Pill birth control can raise your chances of a stroke or heart attack.If you are older than 35 and smoke, intravaginal sex should be avoided.
Before you take this drug
This medicine increases your risk of blood clots and strokes. If you suffer from high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol, or are overweight, you're at even greater risk. Strokes and blood clots are most likely to occur during the first year you use birth control pills. You are at high risk if you start taking this medication again after a break of 4 weeks.
The older you get, the greater your risk. Your risk also increases with the amount of smoking you do. If you are older than 35 and smoke, it is not recommended that you take birth control pills.
Avoid using it if pregnant. Tell your doctor immediately if you are pregnant or have missed more than two periods. Wait at least four weeks after giving birth to take birth control pills.
If you are pregnant, or if:
- Untreated high blood pressure or hypertension
- Heart disease (chest discomfort, coronary artery diseases, history of stroke, or blood clots);
- An increased risk for blood clots as a result of a blood disorder or heart disease;
- Circulatory issues caused by diabetes.
- A history of cancers of the breast, uterus, or cervix, or of vaginal or ovarian origin;
- Unusual vaginal bleeding not checked by your doctor
- Liver disease, or cancer of the liver;
- Severe migraine headaches, especially in older people over 35.
- A history of jaundice due to pregnancy or birth-control pills
- If you take any hepatitis C medication containing ombitasvir, paritaprevir, or ritonavir (Technivie).
If you've ever:
- If you have heart disease, blood pressure problems, or are susceptible to blood clots, then this is the right product for you.
- If you have high cholesterol, triglycerides, or are overweight,
- Depression;
- Gallbladder disease, diabetes
- A seizure or migraine headache;
- Menstrual irregularities;
- Fibrocystic Breast Disease lumps, nodules, or abnormal mammograms
Introvale may slow down the production of breast milk. This medicine should not be taken while breastfeeding.
How to take Introvale (extended-cycle)?
Read all the instructions or guides that come with your medication and follow all the directions. Follow the directions on your prescription label. First, take your intravenous pill the day after you start your period. When you start Introvale, it may be necessary to have a backup birth control method, like a condom or spermicide. You should follow your doctor's advice.
One pill per day is recommended, but no more than one every 24 hours. Start a fresh pack of pills the next day when the old ones run out. If you don't take one daily pill, it is possible to become pregnant. Refill your prescription before the pills run out. While taking the extended-cycle pill, you will not experience a monthly period. Your period will occur once every 12 weeks.
Three trays of cards hold 84 pills "actives" and seven pills "reminders" in the 91-day pack. To maintain a regular period, you must take the pills according to a specific order. Each tray holds 28 pills. Tray 3 contains 35 pills, including 7 reminder pills. Use these reminders to start your period. You might experience bleeding during your first three months. If this bleeding is heavy or continues, tell your doctor. If you have severe nausea or diarrhea, use backup birth control.
You may have to temporarily stop taking this medication if you are going through major surgery or if you will need long-term rest. You should let any doctor who treats you know you're taking birth control pills. You will have to see your doctor frequently if you are taking birth-control pills. Keep this medicine at room temperature, away from heat and moisture.
What happens if I miss the dose?
Please read the instructions that come with your medication. You are more likely to become pregnant if you miss a pill. Take two active pills the next day if you forget. Take one pill a day until the remainder of the package is used. Take two pills a day for the next two days if you have missed two tablets in a line. Take one pill a day until the end of your pack. After missing a pill, use a backup birth control method for at least seven days.
Do not take any active pills if you have missed three pills consecutively. Keep taking one pill daily, according to your package. Leave the missing pills inside the packaging. If you have missed three pills, there may be some bleeding. You should use a backup birth control method for the next seven days.
You can throw away the missed pill and continue to take one pill per day until you run out of pills. If you forget to take a pill, there is no need for backup birth control. Call your doctor if your period doesn't start when you take the pill reminders. You could be pregnant.
What happens if I overdose?
Call the Poison Help Line at 1-800-222-1222 or seek emergency medical care. Overdose symptoms can include vomiting or bleeding.
What should be avoided?
Don't smoke when taking birth-control pills, especially if your age is over 35. The birth control pill will not shield you against sexually transmissible diseases, including HIV and AIDS. The only way to prevent these diseases is by using a condom.
Interaction with other drug
Other medications, such as prescription drugs, over-the-counter products, vitamins, and herbal remedies, may also interact with birth-control pills. Birth control pills can be less effective if you take certain drugs. This may lead to pregnancy. Inform your doctor of all the medications you are taking and those that you stop or start using.
