What is this medication for?
Levonorgestrel - ethinyl estradiol is a combination birth control pill used to prevent pregnancy. It containts a progestin (levonorgestrel) and estrogen (ethinyl estradiol). It works by preventing ovulation (the release of an egg from an ovary) and causing changes in the mucus of the cervix that make it difficult for sperm to penetrate and for an egg to implant.
This medication may be available under multiple brand names and/or in several different forms. Any specific brand name of this medication may not be available in all of the forms or approved for all of the conditions discussed here. As well, some forms of this medication may not be used for all of the conditions discussed here.
Your doctor may have suggested this medication for conditions other than those listed in these drug information articles. If you have not discussed this with your doctor or are not sure why you are taking this medication, speak to your doctor. Do not stop taking this medication without consulting your doctor.
Do not give this medication to anyone else, even if they have the same symptoms as you do. It can be harmful for people to take this medication if their doctor has not prescribed it.
Some medications may have other generic brands available. Always ask your doctor or pharmacist about the safety of switching between brands of the same medication.
How should I use this medication?
The dose of this birth control pill is one tablet daily. The tablet should be taken at the same time each day.
Talk to your doctor about the best way to start taking this birth control pill. If you are not currently using any birth control or if you are changing from another type of combination birth control pill, start taking this birth control pill on the first day of your menstrual cycle (that is, within 24 hours of starting your period). If you are currently using another type of birth control (e.g., injections, implants, or progestin-only pills), your doctor or pharmacist will explain how to start this medication. You will not experience menstrual bleeding while taking this birth control pill.
It may be advisable to use a second method of birth control (e.g., latex condoms and spermicidal foam or gel) for the first 7 days of the first cycle of pill use. Most women have spotting or light bleeding and many women feel sick to their stomach during the first 3 months of taking this birth control pill. If you do feel sick, do not stop taking the pill. The problem will usually go away. If it does not go away, check with your doctor or clinic. If you experience vomiting or diarrhea, or if you take certain medications (such as antibiotics), your pills may not work as well. Use a backup method, such as latex condoms and spermicidal foam or gel, until you can check with your doctor or clinic.
It is very important that you take this medication exactly as prescribed by your doctor. If you miss a dose, you may become pregnant if you have sex during the 7 days after you restart your pills. You must use a nonhormonal birth control method (such as condoms or spermicide) as a backup for those 7 days.
If you miss one pill, take it as soon as you remember, and take the next pill at the usual time. This means that you might take 2 pills in one day. Use a nonhormonal birth control method (such as condoms or spermicide) for 7 days after you restart your pills.
If you miss 2 pills in a row (and remember on the day of the second missed pill), take 2 pills on the day you remember, then take one pill a day until you finish the pack. Use a nonhormonal birth control method (such as condoms or spermicide) for 7 days after you restart your pills.
If you miss 2 pills in a row (and remember on the day after the second pill is missed), take 2 pills on the day you remember and 2 pills the following day, then take one pill a day until you finish the pack. Use a nonhormonal birth control method (such as condoms or spermicide) for 7 days after you restart your pills.
If you miss 3 or more pills in a row, contact your doctor or pharmacist for advice. Keep taking one pill a day until you reach your doctor or pharmacist. Do not take the missed pills. Use a nonhormonal birth control method (such as condoms or spermicide) for 7 days after you restart your pills.
See the package insert for additional information on where to start and what to do should you forget to take a pill.
Many things can affect the dose of medication that a person needs, such as body weight, other medical conditions, and other medications. If your doctor has recommended a dose different from the ones listed here, do not change the way that you are taking the medication without consulting your doctor.
Store this medication at room temperature, protect it from light and moisture, and keep it out of the reach of children.
Who should NOT take this medication?
Do not take this medication if you:
- are allergic to levonorgestrel, ethinyl estradiol, or any ingredients of this medication
- are or may be pregnant
- have abnormal heart rhythms associated with an increased risk of blood clots
- have active liver disease
- have diabetes with blood vessel complications
- have had cholestatic jaundice of pregnancy or jaundice due to prior pill use
- have had major surgery with prolonged immobilization (e.g., bedrest)
- have headaches with neurological symptoms such as an aura
- have heart valve disease complicated by blood clots
- have or have had a cerebrovascular disorder (e.g., stroke)
- have or have had coronary artery disease
- have or have had noncancerous or cancerous liver tumors
- have or have had thrombophlebitis or thromboembolic (blood clotting) disorders (e.g., heart attack or stroke, blood clots in the legs, lungs, or eyes)
- have uncontrolled high blood pressure
- have undiagnosed abnormal vaginal bleeding
- have, have had, or may have breast cancer
- have, have had, or may have uterine cancer or an other estrogen-dependent tumor
- have thrombophila, a condition where the blood clots too easily