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Woman's
Health
> Birth Control > Mircette
Mircette
Mircette™
DESOGESTREL
(des-oh-JES-trel)
ETHINYL ESTRADIOL (ETH-in-il ess-tra-DYE-ole)
Important
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 this drug.
Uses
This medicine is an estrogen/progestin combination used to prevent
pregnancy. It may also be used to regulate the menstrual cycle and for other
conditions as determined by your doctor.
Before Using
WARNING: Smoking cigarettes while using this medicine increases your chance
of having heart problems. Do not smoke while using this medicine. Women
greater than 35 years of age and women who smoke 15 or more cigarettes per
day are at a greater risk for heart problems. Some medicines or medical
conditions may interact with this medicine. INFORM YOUR DOCTOR OR PHARMACIST
of all prescription and over-the-counter medicine that you are taking. DO
NOT TAKE THIS MEDICINE if you are also taking azole antifungal medicines
such as ketoconazole or itraconazole, acitretin, aprepitant, bosetan,
barbiturates, griseofulvin, carbamazepine, topiramate, tetracycline
antibiotics, hydantoins such as phenytoin, St. John's wort, or rifampin
without talking with your doctor. An increased risk of pregnancy has been
identified when taking these medicines with birth-control pills. Check with
your doctor or pharmacist for more information. ADDITIONAL MONITORING OF
YOUR DOSE OR CONDITION may be needed if you are taking benzodiazepines,
corticosteroids, felbamate, HIV protease inhibitors, nevirapine, modafinil,
beta-blockers such as metoprolol or carvedilol, lamotrigine, pioglitazone,
penicillin antibiotics, theophylline, troglitazone, troleandomycin, or
medicine for seizures. DO NOT START OR STOP any medicine without doctor or
pharmacist approval. Inform your doctor of any other medical conditions
including cancer, diabetes, headaches or migraines, high triglyceride level
in the blood, high blood pressure, recent surgery, allergies, pregnancy, or
breast-feeding. USE OF THIS MEDICINE IS NOT RECOMMENDED if you have a
history of problems with the blood vessels in the brain or heart, heart
valve problems, heart attack, uncontrolled high blood pressure, abnormal or
undiagnosed vaginal bleeding, certain cancers including breast cancer,
serious liver problems, blood clots, certain blood disorders such as
porphyria, stroke, or smoking. Contact your doctor or pharmacist if you have
any questions or concerns about taking this medicine.
Directions
Follow the directions for using this medicine provided by your doctor. This
medicine comes with a patient information leaflet. Read it carefully. Ask
your doctor, nurse or pharmacist any questions that you may have before
using this medicine. THIS MEDICINE MAY BE TAKEN on an empty stomach or with
food. TRY TO TAKE THIS MEDICINE at the same time every day, not more than 24
hours apart. REMEMBER TO TAKE ALL of the pills in the pack. Do not skip any
doses. STORE THIS MEDICINE at room temperature, away from heat and light. IF
YOU MISS A DOSE OF THIS MEDICINE, take it as soon as you remember. Take your
next dose at the regular time. This means you may take 2 doses on the same
day. IF YOU MISS MORE THAN 1 DOSE OF THIS MEDICINE, refer to the patient
information that came with this medicine.
Cautions
DO NOT TAKE THIS MEDICINE if you have had an allergic reaction to it or are
allergic to any ingredient in this product. KEEP ALL DOCTOR AND LABORATORY
APPOINTMENTS while you are taking this medicine. 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. This medicine may affect certain lab test
results. Make sure laboratory personnel and your doctors know you use this
medicine. If you will be having surgery or will be confined to a chair or
bed for a long period of time (such as a long plane flight), notify your
doctor 3 to 4 weeks beforehand. Special precautions may need to be taken in
these circumstances while you are taking this medicine. IF YOU MISS YOUR
PERIOD during the week of inactive pills, call your doctor immediately. A
missed period may indicate that you are pregnant. BLEEDING OR SPOTTING may
occur while taking this medicine. DO NOT STOP taking this medicine if this
occurs. If bleeding or spotting continues for more than 7 days or is heavy,
contact your doctor. SMOKING CIGARETTES while using this medicine may
increase your risk of stroke, heart attack, blood clots, high blood
pressure, or other diseases of the heart and blood vessels. TAKING CERTAIN
ANTIBIOTICS or anticonvulsants while you are using this medicine may
decrease the effectiveness of this medicine. To prevent pregnancy, use an
additional form of birth control until your next period. If you have any
questions, contact your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist. IF YOU WEAR CONTACT
LENSES and you develop problems with them, contact your doctor. THIS
MEDICINE MAY CAUSE dark skin patches on your face. Exposure to the sun may
make these patches darker. If patches develop, use a sunscreen or protective
clothing when exposed to the sun, sunlamps, or tanning booths. USE OF THIS
MEDICINE WILL NOT PREVENT the spread of sexually transmitted diseases
(STDs). DO NOT USE THIS MEDICINE if you are pregnant. IF YOU SUSPECT THAT
YOU COULD BE PREGNANT, contact your doctor immediately. THIS MEDICINE IS
EXCRETED IN BREAST MILK. DO NOT BREAST-FEED while you are taking this
medicine.
Side
Effects
SIDE EFFECTS, that may go away during treatment, include nausea, vomiting,
bleeding between menstrual periods, breast tenderness, or weight change. If
they continue or are bothersome, check with your doctor. CHECK WITH YOUR
DOCTOR AS SOON AS POSSIBLE if you experience headache, swelling of your
fingers or ankles, or difficulty wearing contact lenses. CONTACT YOUR DOCTOR
IMMEDIATELY if you experience sharp or crushing chest pain; sudden shortness
of breath; sudden leg pain; sudden, severe headache or vomiting; dizziness
or fainting; changes in vision; numbness of an arm or leg; or severe stomach
pain. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor,
nurse, or pharmacist.
Drug Interactions
Drug interactions can result in unwanted side effects or prevent a medicine
from doing its job. Use our drug interaction checker to find out if your
medicines interact with each other. Check drug interactions
Overdoses
If overdose is suspected, contact your local poison control center or
emergency room immediately. Symptoms of overdose may include nausea,
vomiting, and vaginal bleeding.
Additional Information
DO NOT SHARE THIS MEDICINE with others for whom it was not prescribed. DO
NOT USE THIS MEDICINE for other health conditions. KEEP THIS MEDICINE out of
the reach of children. IF USING THIS MEDICINE FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF
TIME, obtain refills before your supply runs out. |

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