Seasonique

Generic name: Levonorgestrel and ethinyl estradiol

What is Seasonique?

Seasonique tablets are oral contraceptive pills used for the prevention of pregnancy in women.

What is the most important information I should know about Seasonique?

This product (like all oral contraceptives) is intended to prevent pregnancy. It does not protect against HIV infection (AIDS) and other sexually transmitted diseases such as chlamydia, genital herpes, genital warts, gonorrhea, hepatitis B, and syphilis.

If you miss your period when you are taking the yellow pills, call your healthcare provider because you may be pregnant.

Who should not take Seasonique?

You should not take the pill if you are pregnant. Although cardiovascular disease risks may be increased with oral contraceptive use after age 40 in healthy, nonsmoking women (even with the newer low-dose formulations), there are also greater potential health risks associated with pregnancy in older women. Also, do not take this medication if you have heart problems, have or had clotting disorders, have uncontrolled high blood pressure, are going to have a major surgery, or have a personal history of breast cancer.

What should I tell my doctor before I take the first dose of Seasonique?

Tell your doctor about all prescription, over-the-counter, and herbal medications you are taking before beginning treatment with Seasonique. Also, talk your doctor about your entire medical history, as well as issues you may be presently experiencing, including diabetes, high blood pressure, heart problems, high cholesterol, clotting disorders, undiagnosed genital bleeding, and if you have any known or suspected cancers.

What is the usual dosage?

The information below is based on the dosage guidelines your doctor uses. Depending on your condition and medical history, your doctor may prescribe a different regimen. Do not change the dosage or stop taking your medication without your doctor's approval.

The dosage of Seasonique is 1 light blue-green tablet for 84 consecutive days, followed by 7 days of yellow tablets.

How should I take Seasonique?

You should take 1 pill of Seasonique at the same time every day. If you miss pills you could get pregnant; this includes starting the pack late. The more pills you miss, the more likely you are to get pregnant. Do not skip pills even if you are spotting or have irregular bleeding. However, if this bleeding is persistent and prolonged, contact your healthcare provider.

What should I avoid while taking Seasonique?

Avoid smoking while taking Seasonique. Cigarette smoking increases the risk of serious heart problems and blood clots in the legs and lungs while on this medication. This risk increases with age and with the amount of smoking (15 or more cigarettes per day). Also, avoid using Seasonique before or during early pregnancy.

What are possible food and drug interactions associated with Seasonique?

If Seasonique is taken with certain other drugs, the effects of either could be increased, decreased, or altered. It is especially important to check with your doctor before combining Seasonique with the following: antibiotics, anticonvulsants, barbiturates, carbamazepine, felbamate, griseofulvin, oxcarbazepine, phenylbutazone, phenytoin, rifampin, St. John's wort, topiramate.

What are the possible side effects of Seasonique?

Side effects cannot be anticipated. If any develop or change in intensity, tell your doctor as soon as possible. Only your doctor can determine if it is safe for you to continue taking this drug.

Side effects may include: bleeding or spotting between menstrual periods, breast tenderness, difficulty wearing contact lenses, nausea, vomiting, weight gain

Can I receive Seasonique if I am pregnant or breastfeeding?

You should not take Seasonique if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breastfeeding.

What should I do if I miss a dose of Seasonique?

If you miss 1 dose of Seasonique (light blue-green tablet):

Take the pill as soon as you remember, and continue your normal schedule. This means that you may take 2 pills in 1 day. You do not need to use a backup method of birth control.

If you miss 2 doses of Seasonique (light blue-green tablet):

Take 2 pills on the day you remember and 2 pills the day after. Continue taking 1 pill a day after that, until you finish the pack. You could become pregnant in the 7 days after you restart your pills so use a backup method of birth control for the 7 days after you restart your pills.

If you miss 3+ doses of Seasonique (light blue-green tablet):

Do not remove the missed pills from the pack, you will not take them. Continue taking 1 pill per day until the pack is finished. You may experience bleeding the week after you missed your pills. You may also become pregnant within the first 7 days of restarting your pills; use alternate forms of contraception (condoms) during this time.

If you miss any of the7 yellow pills:

Throw away the missed pills. Keep taking the scheduled pills until the pack is finished. You do not need to use a backup method of birth control.

How should I store Seasonique?

Store Seasonique at room temperature.