Lo Ovral 21 - 1 & 3 Month Supplies

Drug Name: OVRAL 21

IMPORTANT OVRAL 21 NOTE:
THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION IS INTENDED TO SUPPLEMENT, NOT SUBSTITUTE FOR, THE EXPERTISE AND JUDGMENT OF YOUR PHYSICIAN, PHARMACIST OR OTHER HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONAL. IT SHOULD NOT BE CONSTRUED TO INDICATE THAT USE OF THE DRUG IS SAFE, APPROPRIATE, OR EFFECTIVE FOR YOU. CONSULT YOUR HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONAL BEFORE USING OVRAL 21.

ETHINYL ESTRADIOL/NORELGESTROMIN PATCH - TOPICAL (ETH-in-il ess-tra-DYE-ole/nor-el-JESS-troh-min)

COMMON OVRAL 21 BRAND NAME(S):
Ortho Evra, Brevicon, Demulen, Lo/Ovral, Loestrin, Modicon, Nordette, Norinyl, Ortho-Novum, Ovcon, Ovral, Tri-Phasil

OVRAL 21 WARNING:
Smoking cigarettes while using Ovral 21 increases your chance of having heart problems. Do not smoke while using Ovral 21. The risk of heart problems increases with age (in women greater than 35 years of age) and with frequent smoking (15 cigarettes per day or greater).

OVRAL 21 USES:
Ovral 21 is used to prevent pregnancy or to regulate your menstrual cycle. Certain brands of birth control pills like Ovral 21 may be used for treating acne or as a "morning after" pill for emergency contraception. Consult your doctor or pharmacist. Use of Ovral 21 does not protect you or your partner against sexually transmitted diseases (e.g., HIV, gonorrhea).

HOW TO TAKE OVRAL 21:
Take Ovral 21 with food or immediately after a meal to prevent stomach upset. Try to take Ovral 21 at the same time each day. This may help you to remember to take it. Learn proper use of Ovral 21. Follow your dosing schedule carefully. Be sure to ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions. Use a supplemental form of birth control during the first week of taking Ovral 21 since it takes a while to be effective. Follow your doctor's directions exactly if Ovral 21 is being used as a "morning after" pill.

OVRAL 21 SIDE EFFECTS:
Ovral 21 may cause dizziness, headache, lightheadedness, stomach upset, bloating, or nausea. If these effects persist or worsen, contact your doctor. Notify your doctor if you experience: severe depression, groin or calf pain, sudden severe headache, chest pain, shortness of breath, lumps in the breast, weakness or tingling in the arms or legs, yellowing of the eyes or skin. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.

OVRAL 21 PRECAUTIONS:
Before you take Ovral 21, tell your doctor your entire medical history, including family medical history, especially: asthma, high blood pressure, kidney disease, liver heart disease, stroke, history of jaundice (yellowing skin/eyes) or high blood pressure during pregnancy, excessive weight gain or fluid retention during menstrual cycle, blood clots, heart attack, seizures, migraine headaches, breast cancer, high blood level of cholesterol or lipids (fats), diabetes, depression. Depending on strength, Ovral 21 may cause a patchy, darkening of the skin on the face (melasma). Higher strengths of Ovral 21 are more likely to cause melasma. Sunlight may intensify this darkening and you may need to avoid prolonged sun exposure and sunlamps. Consult your doctor regarding use of sunscreens and protective clothing. It may take a long time for you to become pregnant after you stop taking birth control pills. Consult your doctor. Do not smoke cigarettes. Birth-control pills slightly increase your risk of strokes, blood clots, high blood pressure, heart attacks, gallbladder disease, vision problems, and liver tumors. Cigarette smoking (especially 15 or more cigarettes daily) and age (women older than 35/smokers or 40/nonsmokers years of age) further increase the risk of stroke, blood clots, high blood pressure and heart attacks. Ask your pharmacist or doctor for a copy of the patient labeling which explains these risks in more detail. Consult your doctor for any questions, including possible use in nonsmokers over 40 years of age. If you are near-sighted or wear contact lenses, you may develop vision problems. Also, your tolerance of the lenses may decrease. Contact your eye doctor if these problems occur. Before having surgery, including dental surgery, tell the doctor that you take birth control pills. Ovral 21 must not be used during pregnancy. If you become pregnant or think you may be pregnant, inform your doctor immediately. Ovral 21 passes into breast milk. This may affect milk production and may have harmful effects on a nursing infant. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding if you are thinking of taking Ovral 21.

OVRAL 21 DRUG INTERACTIONS:
Tell your doctor what prescription and nonprescription drugs you are taking. Drugs that may decrease the effectiveness of the pill include: griseofulvin, many antibiotics (e.g., penicillins, macrolides, tetracyclines, sulfas, cephalosporins), chloramphenicol, many seizure medications (e.g., phenytoin, barbiturates, primidone, carbamazepine), dapsone, rifamycins (e.g., rifampin), modafinil, nevirapine, nelfinavir, ritonavir, St John's wort, troglitazone. Ask your doctor if you should use additional birth control methods while taking any of the drugs mentioned above while taking birth control pills like Ovral 21. Also tell your doctor if you use: thyroid hormone drugs, certain benzodiazepines (e.g., diazepam, chlordiazepoxide), prednisone-like drugs, certain antidepressants (e.g., tricyclics), beta-blockers (e.g., metoprolol), "blood thinners" (anticoagulants such as warfarin), insulin. This product can affect the results of certain lab tests (e.g., thyroid). Inform all laboratory personnel that you use Ovral 21. Birth control pills may significantly intensify the effects of alcohol. Consult your doctor or pharmacist about this. Do not start or stop Ovral 21 or any medicine without doctor or pharmacist approval.

OVRAL 21 OVERDOSE:
If Ovral 21 overdose is suspected, contact your local poison control center or emergency room immediately. Symptoms of Ovral 21 overdose may include nausea and vomiting. Females may experience vaginal bleeding.

OVRAL 21 NOTES:
Do not allow anyone else to take Ovral 21. Keep all appointments with your doctor and the laboratory. You should have a complete physical examination, including blood pressure measurements, breast and pelvic examinations, and a PAP test (for vaginal cancer), at least once a year. Follow your doctor's instructions for examining your own breasts, and report any lumps immediately. A manufacturer's fact sheet about Ovral 21 should be dispensed with each prescription. Read the information carefully. Ask your doctor or pharmacist any questions you may have about Ovral 21.

MISSED OVRAL 21 DOSE:
Missed Ovral 21 dose advice differs and depends on the brand used, and the number of doses missed. Refer to the Ovral 21 product package information for advice on missed Ovral 21 doses. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions.

OVRAL 21 STORAGE:
Store Ovral 21 at room temperature between 59 and 86 degrees F (between 15 and 30 degrees C) away from moisture and sunlight. Do not store Ovral 21 in the bathroom.