Leena (birth control)

What is Leena (birth control)?

Leena contains a combination of birth-control pills and female hormonal agents to prevent ovulation. This medication can also cause changes to your cervical mucus or uterine lining. These changes make it more difficult for sperm and fertilised eggs to reach the uterus.Leena can be used to prevent pregnancy. Leena can also be used to treat moderate acne among women over 15 who have begun menstruating and wish to take birth-control pills. There are several brands of ethinylestradiol and norethindrone. This leaflet does not list all brands.Leena can be used in other ways not mentioned in this guide.

Side effects of Leena (birth control)

If you experience any of the following symptoms of an allergic reaction, seek immediate medical attention: difficulty breathing, hives, swelling of your lips, face, or throat.

This medicine can cause serious side effects. If you experience:

• Signs of a Stroke: sudden numbness, weakness, severe headache, slurred or shaky speech, or problems with vision, balance, or coordination;
• Signs of a blood clot in the lungs: chest pain, sudden cough, or shortness of breath; dizziness and coughing blood
• Signs of a deep blood clot—pain, swelling, or warmth in a leg;
• Heart attack symptoms: chest pain or pressure, spreading pain to your jaw and shoulders, nausea, or sweating.
• Liver problems: swelling around the midsection of your body; upper right stomach pain; lack of appetite; dark coloured urine; clay-coloured stool; jaundice (yellowing skin or eyes);
• Increased blood pressure—severe head pain, blurred vision, or a pounding sensation in the neck or ears
• Depression: mood changes, low self-esteem, lack of interest in activities you used to enjoy, sleep disturbances, thoughts of harming yourself
• A breast lump or swelling of the hands, feet, ankles, or legs
• A change in the frequency or intensity of migraine headaches

Leena side effects may include:

• Nausea, vomiting;
• Breast tenderness or bleeding.
• Headache or contact lens problems

There may be other side effects. For medical advice on side effects, call your doctor. Contact the FDA by dialing 1-800-FDA-1088 in order to report side effects.

Warnings

Avoid using birth control pills while pregnant or after having a recent baby.Birth control pills should not be used if: you have uncontrolled high blood pressure, heart problems, coronary artery diseases, circulation issues (especially in diabetes), undiagnosed bleeding vaginal, liver disease or cancer, severe headaches or migraines, if your surgery will require major surgery, if you are smoking and older than 35, if a blood clot has occurred, if jaundice was caused by pregnancy, birth control pills, or cancer of the breast, uterus, cervix, or vaginaSmoking or taking birth control pills, especially if over 35 years old, can increase the risk of blood clots or stroke.

Before you take this drug

Birth control pills may increase your risk for blood clots or stroke. If you suffer from high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol, or obesity, you're at an even greater risk. The risk of stroke and blood clots is greatest during the first year you take birth control pills. You are at high risk when you start taking birth control pills again after a break of 4 weeks or more.Smoking increases your risk of stroke, heart attack, and blood clots caused by birth-control pills, particularly if you're older than 35.Do not use it if you are pregnant. Stop using Leena immediately, and inform your doctor if you are Menstrual two menstrual periods in a row or if you are pregnant. Wait at least four weeks after giving birth if you've just had a child.

If you are pregnant, or if:

• Untreated or uncontrolled hypertension or heart disease
• An increased risk of blood clots as a result of a heart condition or hereditary blood disorder
• Circulatory problems (especially when caused by diabetes);
• A history of cancers of the breast, uterus, cervix, or vagina
• Unusual vaginal bleeding not checked by a physician;
• Liver disease or liver cancer
• Severe migraine headaches, especially if older than 35.
• A history of jaundice due to pregnancy or birth control pills
• If you are older than 35 and smoke,
• If you take any hepatitis C medication containing ombitasvir, paritaprevir, or ritonavir with or without dasabuvir.

Tell your doctor about any of the following:

• If you have heart problems, high blood pressure, or are susceptible to blood clots, then this is the product for you.
• If you have high cholesterol, triglycerides, or are overweight,
• Depression;
• A seizure or migraine headache;
• Gallbladder disease and an underactive thyroid are both examples of diabetes.
• Liver or kidney disease
• Uneven menstrual cycles, fibrocystic breast disease, lumps, nodules, or abnormal mammograms

Ask your doctor if you can safely breastfeed if you are taking this medication.

How to take Leena (birth control)?

Read all instructions or guides that come with your medication and follow all directions. Follow the directions on the label.When you first begin using this medication, it may be necessary to use a backup birth control method, such as condoms containing spermicide. You should follow your doctor's advice.One pill per day is recommended, but no more than one every 24 hours. Start a new package the next day when the pills are finished. If you don't take a pill every day, you may become pregnant.Some birth control packages contain "reminder pills" to help you maintain your regular cycle. Usually, your period will begin when you start taking these reminder pills.If you have severe nausea or diarrhoea, use backup birth control.You could have been bleeding through the skin. If it persists or becomes very heavy, tell your doctor.You may have to temporarily stop taking this medication if you are going to be undergoing major surgery or if you will need long-term bedrest. You should let any doctor or surgeon that treats you know you're using Leena.You will need to see your doctor regularly if you are taking birth control pills.Store in an environment free from heat and moisture at room temperature.

What happens if I miss the dose?

Read all instructions or guides that come with your medication carefully. You are more likely to become pregnant if you miss a pill.Take two pills the next day if you forget to take one. Keep taking one pill daily until the pack has run its course.If you missed 2 active pills consecutively in Weeks 1 or 2, then take 2 pills a day for two days. Take one pill a day for the remainder of the package. After missing a pill, use a backup birth control method for at least seven days.If you missed two active pills consecutively in Week 3, you can throw the remaining pack out and start another pack on the same day if you started Day 1. If you started on Sunday, continue taking one pill each day until Sunday. On Sunday, discard the remainder of the package and begin a new one.If you missed 3 active pills consecutively in Weeks 1, 2, and 3, you can throw the rest out and start over with a new package on the same date if you started Day 1. If you started on Sunday, continue taking one pill each day until Sunday. On Sunday, discard the remainder of the package and begin a new one.You may not get a period if you miss two or more active pills. Call your doctor if you have missed a period in two consecutive months. You might be pregnant.If you forget to take a pill reminder, just throw it out and continue taking one reminder pill a day until your pack is empty.

What happens if I overdose?

Call the Poison Help Line at 1-800-222-1222 or seek emergency medical care. An overdose can cause nausea or bleeding.

What should be avoided?

Do not smoke while taking birth control pills, especially if you're older than 35.Birth control pills do not protect against sexually transmissible diseases, including HIV and AIDS. The only way to prevent these diseases is by using a condom.

Interaction with other drug

Inform your healthcare provider if you take other medications such as:

• Rifampin;
• Troglitazone;
• Atorvastatin;
• Glecaprevir/pibrentasvir;
• Anticonvulsants such as carbamazepine, phenytoin, and phenobarbital

This list is incomplete. Leena may be affected by other drugs, such as vitamins and herbs. This list does not include all possible interactions with other drugs.