ETHINYLOESTRADIOL+LEVONORGESTREL belongs to a group of medications called 'hormonal contraceptives' primarily used for contraception and in treating dysmenorrhea (irregular and painful periods). Contraception is a procedure that aims to prevent unwanted pregnancy for safe family planning. Dysmenorrhea is an irregular and painful menstrual period, that leads to abdominal pain, mood swings, digestion problems, fainting, vomiting, and nausea.
ETHINYLOESTRADIOL+LEVONORGESTREL is a combination of two medications: Ethinyloestradiol and Levonorgestrel. ETHINYLOESTRADIOL+LEVONORGESTREL prevents the release of an egg from the ovary (female reproductive cells) or prevents fertilization of an egg by sperm (male reproductive cells). ETHINYLOESTRADIOL+LEVONORGESTREL may also change the lining of the uterus to prevent the development of a pregnancy. Thus, ETHINYLOESTRADIOL+LEVONORGESTREL helps prevent pregnancy.
Take ETHINYLOESTRADIOL+LEVONORGESTREL as prescribed by your doctor. In some cases, ETHINYLOESTRADIOL+LEVONORGESTREL may cause stomach pain, headache, nausea, breast pain, weight gain, and mood swings. Most of these side effects of ETHINYLOESTRADIOL+LEVONORGESTREL do not require medical attention and gradually resolve over time. However, if the side effects persist, contact your doctor.
Inform your doctor before starting ETHINYLOESTRADIOL+LEVONORGESTREL if you are over 35 years or ever have a heart problem, cancer (breast, uterus, or vagina), uterine bleeding, liver, or kidney problems. Do not take ETHINYLOESTRADIOL+LEVONORGESTREL if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. ETHINYLOESTRADIOL+LEVONORGESTREL does not prevent the transmission of any sexually transmitted diseases (STD), so use other forms of contraception (condom) during sexual intercourse if you have any STD or AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome).
Contraception and Dysmenorrhea (irregular menstrual periods).
ETHINYLOESTRADIOL+LEVONORGESTREL is an oral hormonal combination drug primarily used for contraception. ETHINYLOESTRADIOL+LEVONORGESTREL contains two female sex hormones, progestin (levonorgestrel) and estrogen (ethinyloestradiol), which help prevent pregnancy in multiple ways. It prevents the release of an egg from the ovaries and makes the fluid present in the cervix thicker, making it difficult for sperm to enter the womb. In addition to this, it prevents the thickening of the uterus's inner wall, which is necessary for an egg to grow. Thereby, ETHINYLOESTRADIOL+LEVONORGESTREL helps prevent pregnancy.
Please inform your doctor if you have/had heart disease, hypertension, obesity, cancer (breast, cervix, or uterus), diabetes mellitus, liver or kidney disease, or abnormal uterine bleeding. Smoking may increase the risk of cardiovascular events in women over 35 years old when taking ETHINYLOESTRADIOL+LEVONORGESTREL. ETHINYLOESTRADIOL+LEVONORGESTREL does not protect against any sexually transmitted disease or HIV. If pregnancy occurs while you are taking ETHINYLOESTRADIOL+LEVONORGESTREL, please consult your doctor. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor. Sometimes, you may experience spotting or bleeding in between missed periods or menstrual periods. If the spotting persists, please consult your doctor. Do not use ETHINYLOESTRADIOL+LEVONORGESTREL if you are pregnant or have recently delivered a baby. If you have missed a dose or are late by 12 hours, use a condom for two days during sexual intercourse to avoid unwanted pregnancy. Do not take ETHINYLOESTRADIOL+LEVONORGESTREL if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. If you have migraines, please inform your doctor, as taking ETHINYLOESTRADIOL+LEVONORGESTREL may increase your headache.
Drug-Drug interactions: ETHINYLOESTRADIOL+LEVONORGESTREL may have an interaction with medicines used to treat anti-epilepsy (e.g. primidone, phenytoin, carbamazepine), medicines used to treat tuberculosis (e.g. rifampicin, rifabutin), medicines used to treat HIV (e.g. ritonavir, efavirenz), and medicines used to treat fungal infections (e.g. griseofulvin, ketoconazole, posaconazole).
Drug-Food Interactions: ETHINYLOESTRADIOL+LEVONORGESTREL interacts with St. John's wort (an antidepressant herbal supplement). Also, avoid consumption of alcohol and grapefruit juice along with ETHINYLOESTRADIOL+LEVONORGESTREL.
Drug-Disease Interactions: Inform your doctor if you smoke, have/had liver or kidney disease, heart disease, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, abnormal uterine bleeding, breast, cervix, or uterus cancer and anaemia.
You are recommended not to consume alcohol along with ETHINYLOESTRADIOL+LEVONORGESTREL to avoid unpleasant side effects.
Caution should be exercised. Hormonal medicines can affect the developing baby. It is advisable to consult a doctor before using ETHINYLOESTRADIOL+LEVONORGESTREL if you are pregnant or planning for pregnancy.
ETHINYLOESTRADIOL+LEVONORGESTREL may pass into breast milk. It may harm the baby and also may affect the production of milk. So, it is unsafe for breastfeeding mothers.
ETHINYLOESTRADIOL+LEVONORGESTREL has no or negligible influence on the ability to drive or use machines.
ETHINYLOESTRADIOL+LEVONORGESTREL should be taken with caution, especially if you have a history of liver diseases/conditions. The dose may have to be adjusted by your doctor. Avoid taking ETHINYLOESTRADIOL+LEVONORGESTREL if you have severe liver disease.
ETHINYLOESTRADIOL+LEVONORGESTREL should be taken with caution, especially if you have a history of kidney diseases/conditions. The dose may have to be adjusted by your doctor. Please consult your doctor.
ETHINYLOESTRADIOL+LEVONORGESTREL is not recommended for children. Safety and efficacy of ETHINYLOESTRADIOL+LEVONORGESTREL are established in women of reproductive age. However, sufficient studies have not been performed on women less than 16 years of age. So, take ETHINYLOESTRADIOL+LEVONORGESTREL only when prescribed by a doctor.
Contraception: It is a procedure that aims to prevent pregnancy. A woman can only get pregnant if sperm fertilizes her egg. Contraception aims to prevent this from happening by keeping egg and sperm apart, by stopping egg production or by not letting the uterus wall become thick. As a result, no fertilization takes place, so contraception is a safe method for family planning.
Dysmenorrhea: It is a condition in which irregular and painful periods lead to abdominal pain, digestion problems, fainting, vomiting, and nausea. Generally, a menstrual cycle is about 25-30 days. However, this cycle may be short or prolonged in dysmenorrhea, leading to excessive pain.