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Levlen

Generic name: ethinyl estradiol and levonorgestrel [ETH-in-ill-ess-tra-DYE-ol-and-LEE-vo-nor-JESS-trel]
Brand names: Afirmelle, Altavera, Amethyst, Aubra, Aubra EQ,… show all 28 brands
Drug class: contraceptives

What is Levlen?

Levlen can be used to prevent pregnancy. Levlen is available in many different brands and forms. This leaflet does not list all brands.Levlen can be used in other ways not mentioned in this guide.

Side effects of Levlen

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

Birth control pills can cause serious 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 a blood clot include sudden vision loss, chest pain that stabs, shortness of breath, blood in the cough, and swelling of an arm or leg.
  • Heart attack symptoms: chest pain or pressure, spreading pain to your jaw and shoulders, sweating
  • If you have liver disease, you may experience fatigue, nausea, upper stomach pains, fever, dark urine or clay-coloured stool, and jaundice.
  • Increased blood pressure: severe headache, blurred or distorted vision, pounding of the neck, ears, or head;
  • Gallbladder problem:chalky-coloured stools, stomach pain after eating, nausea, heartburn, bloating, and severe upper stomach pain that may spread to your back;
  • You may experience swelling of your ankles, feet, or hands.
  • Changes in the pattern of migraine headaches or their severity;
  • A breast lump,
  • Symptoms of depression include sleep problems, fatigue, and mood changes.

Levlen side effects may include:

  • You may experience nausea or vomiting, especially when you start taking the medicine.
  • Breast tenderness
  • Bleeding
  • Acne is a darkening of the facial skin.
  • Weight gain or weight gain.
  • Contact lenses are causing problems.

There may be other side effects. Call your doctor immediately if experiencing side effects; to report side effects contact the FDA directly on 1-800-FDA-1088.

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 cancer or disease, if your migraines are severe, if a major surgery is planned, if you're smoking and over 35 years old, if a blood clot has occurred, if jaundice was caused by pregnancy, birth control pills, or cancer of the breast, uterus, or cervixBirth-control pills may increase your risk of blood clots or strokes.Smoking increases your risk of blood clots and strokes. Do not take Levlen if you are older than 35 years.

Before you take this drug

This medicine increases your risk of a stroke or heart attack. If you suffer from high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol, or obesity, you're at an even greater risk. The risk of a stroke or blood clot increases during the first year you take birth control pills. You are at high risk if you start taking this medication again after a break of 4 weeks or more.Smoking increases your risk of blood clots and strokes. The more you smoke, the greater the risk. If you are older than 35 and smoke, it is not recommended that you take combination birth-control pills.Do not use it if you are pregnant. Stop using this medicine and tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant or miss two menstrual periods in a row. Wait at least four weeks after giving birth to take birth control pills.

If you are pregnant, or if:

  • Untreated or uncontrolled hypertension;
  • Heart disease (chest discomfort, coronary artery diseases, history of stroke, blood clots, or heart attacks);
  • An increased risk of blood clots as a result of a heart condition or hereditary blood disorder
  • Circulatory problems (especially when caused by diabetes);
  • Cancer of the breast, uterus, cervix or vagina is an increasing public concern and an increasingly significant source of mortality worldwide.
  • Unusual vaginal bleeding not checked by a physician;
  • Liver disease or liver cancer
  • Severe migraine headaches, especially if older than 35.
  • Are You Pregnant or on Birth Control Pills and Experience Jaundice
  • If you take any hepatitis C medication containing ombitasvir, paritaprevir, or ritonavir (Technivie).

Inform your physician of any of the following issues:

  • If you have heart disease, high blood pressure, or are susceptible to blood clots, then this is the right product for you.
  • If you have high cholesterol, triglycerides, or are overweight, this may be a sign.
  • Depression;
  • A seizure or migraine headache;
  • Gallbladder Disease
  • Liver or kidney disease
  • Menstrual irregularities;
  • Fibrocystic breast disease, lumps or nodules on mammograms

Levlen may slow down the production of breast milk. While taking this medication, breastfeeding should not be undertaken.

How to take Levlen?

Read all instructions or guides that come with your medication and follow all directions. Follow the directions on the label.First, take your first pill the day after you start your period. When you start taking Levlen, you may need to use a backup birth control method, such as 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 new package the next day when the pills are finished. If you don't take one pill every day, you may become pregnant. Refill your prescription before you run out.Some birth control packages contain seven "reminder pills" to help you maintain your regular cycle. Usually, your period will begin when you start taking these reminder pills.The chewable pill (tablet) should be chewed and then swallowed with water. If desired, tablets may also be taken orally and completely swallowed.. Take it with an empty stomach.If you have severe nausea or diarrhoea, use backup birth control.During the first three months, you may experience bleeding. If the bleeding 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 confined for long periods of time. You should let any doctor or surgeon that treats you know that you use birth control pills.You will need to see your doctor regularly if you are taking birth control pills.Store at room temperature away from moisture, heat and light to prolong shelf life.

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 pills the next day if you forget to take one. Take one pill a day for the remainder of the pack.If you missed two active pills consecutively in Week 1 or 2, take two pills a day for two consecutive 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 away the remaining pack of pills and begin a new one the next day, if you started on 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 three 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 more than two active pills. Call your doctor immediately if you have missed two periods in succession. You might be pregnant.If you forget to take a pill reminder, just throw it out and continue taking one pill reminder per 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. Overdose symptoms include nausea, vomiting, and drowsiness.

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

Other drugs, such as prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products, 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.