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Seasonale
ethinyl estradiol and levonorgestrel (extended-cycle oral contraceptive)
What is the most important information I should know about Seasonale?
Seasonale does not provide protection from sexually transmitted diseases--including HIV and AIDS. Using a condom is the only way to protect yourself from these diseases.
Take one pill every day at the same time, no more than 24 hours after the last dose. Try to take the pills at a time that you will remember every day--for example just before bed, with a meal, or first thing in the morning.
Avoid smoking cigarettes while taking ethinyl estradiol and levonorgestrel. Smoking greatly increases the risk of heart attack, stroke, and blood clot formation.
Follow your doctor's instructions about using a second form of birth control when you first start taking ethinyl estradiol and levonorgestrel, when you are taking antibiotics or other medications, or if you miss a pill. If you are unsure what to do in any of these cases, talk to your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor about how to ensure that you will not become pregnant.
What is ethinyl estradiol and levonorgestrel?
Ethinyl estradiol and levonorgestrel are hormones that affect the ovulatory and menstrual cycle of women. Ethinyl estradiol and levonorgestrel prevent ovulation (the release of an egg from an ovary), therefore preventing the possibility of pregnancy. Seasonale may also inhibit pregnancy by causing the cervical mucous to thicken, which makes it harder for sperm to move toward the uterus, and reducing the likelihood of attachment of a fertilized egg to the uterus.
The extended-cycle formulation of Seasonale has a 91-day treatment cycle, resulting in 4 menstrual periods per year.
Seasonale is used to prevent pregnancy.
Seasonale may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking ethinyl estradiol and levonorgestrel?
Do not take Seasonale without first talking to your doctor if you:
smoke;
have a bleeding or blood-clotting disorder or a history of blood clots;
have current or past heart or blood vessel disease, heart attack or stroke, uncontrolled high blood pressure, angina (chest pain), problems with heart valves, or irregular heart beats;
have diabetes;
current or past liver problems;
have breast, uterine, or another hormone-related cancer;
have undiagnosed, abnormal vaginal bleeding; or
need to have surgery that will require extended bed-rest or immobilization.
Other medical conditions may also affect treatment with ethinyl estradiol and levonorgestrel. Talk to your doctor before taking this medication if you
have seizures, migraines, or depression;
have a history of very light or irregular menstrual periods
have breast nodules, fibrocystic disease of the breast, abnormal breast x-ray or mammogram;
are obese;
have high cholesterol, triglycerides, or blood pressure; or
have gallbladder disease or kidney disease.
You may not be able to take ethinyl estradiol and levonorgestrel, or you may require special monitoring during treatment if you have any of the conditions listed above.
Seasonale is in the FDA pregnancy category X. This means that Seasonale is known to cause birth defects in an unborn baby. Hormonal changes during pregnancy can have very serious negative effects on a developing baby. Do not take Seasonale if you are pregnant or if you think you might be pregnant.
The hormones in Seasonale pass into breast milk and may decrease milk production or affect a nursing baby. Do not take Seasonale without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.
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