What is this medication for?
Desogestrel - ethinyl estradiol is an estrogen and progestin combination birth control pill used to prevent pregnancy. It works by preventing ovulation (the release of an egg from an ovary) and causing changes in the mucus of the cervix which make it difficult for sperm to penetrate and for an egg to implant. If taken exactly as directed, this medication will prevent pregnancy in 99% of cases. If not taken exactly as directed all the time, this medication will prevent pregnancy in 95% of cases.
Your doctor may have suggested this medication for conditions other than those listed here. As well, some forms of this medication may not be used for all of the conditions discussed here. If you 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.
What form(s) does this medication come in?
Ortho-Cept® is available as:
- tablets
- 0.150 mg of desogestrel and 0.030 mg of ethinyl estradiol (21 tablets)
- 7 inactive tablets
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?
21-day pack: Take one tablet daily for
21 days, then take no pills for 7 days, and then begin the next pack.
28-day pack: Take
one tablet daily for 21 days, then take one "reminder" pill daily for
7 days, and then begin the next pack.
Talk with your doctor about the best time to start your pills. The first day of your menstrual period (bleeding) is known as "Day One." Your doctor may have you start your pills on the first Sunday after your period starts or on Day One of your period. The pills should be taken approximately the same time every day.
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.
Many women have spotting or light bleeding or may feel sick
to their stomach during the first 3 months taking the 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 have vomiting or diarrhea, or if you take some
medications such as antibiotics, your pills may not work as well. If you start
a new medication while you are taking birth control pills, check with your
doctor or pharmacist to make sure that it will not reduce the effectiveness of
the pills. Use a back-up method of birth control, 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 pills at any time the risk of becoming pregnant increases. This includes starting the pack late.
If you miss one active 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. You do not need to use a back-up birth control method if you have sex.
If you miss 2 pills in a row during the first 2 weeks of your cycle, take 2 pills the day you remember and 2 pills the next day, then take one pill a day until you finish the pack. You could become pregnant if you have sex in the 7 days after you miss pills. You must use a second method of birth control if you have sex in the 7 days after you miss the pills.
If you start your pills on Sunday, and you miss 2 pills in a
row during the third week of your cycle or 3 or more pills in a row anytime in
your cycle, keep taking one pill a day until Sunday. On Sunday, safely discard
the rest of the pack and start a new pack that day. If you start your pills on
Day One, and you miss 2 pills in a row during the third week of your cycle, or
3 or more pills at any time during your cycle, safely dispose of the rest of the
pill pack and start a new pack that same day. Use another method of birth
control if you have sex in the 7 days after you miss the pills. You may not
have a period this month. If you miss 2 periods in a row, call your doctor or
clinic.
If you miss any inactive "reminder" pills, throw
away the pills you missed and keep taking one reminder pill per day until the
pack is empty.
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 reach of children.
Who should NOT take this medication?
Do not take this medication if you:
- are allergic to desogestrel, ethinyl estradiol, or any ingredients of the medication
- are or may be pregnant
- have active liver disease
- have diabetes with vascular (blood vessel) involvement
- have heart valve problems with complications
- have severe high blood pressure
- have undiagnosed abnormal vaginal bleeding
- have or have had cerebrovascular disorders (e.g., stroke)
- have or have had headaches accompanied by certain nerve function problems (problems affecting a particular body area or function)
- have or have had noncancerous or cancerous liver tumors
- have or have had thrombophlebitis or thromboembolic (blood clotting) disorders
- have, have had, or may have a tumor that needs estrogen to grow
- have, have had, or may have breast cancer
- have, have had, or may have cancer in the lining of the uterus (endometrial cancer)
- have had a heart attack or heart disease
- have had major surgery with long periods of bed rest or immobility
- have had yellowing of the skin or the whites of the eyes (jaundice) during pregnancy or while on birth control pills