Common use
Levlen is a combination of hormones ethinyl estradiol and levonorgestrel. The medication is used to prevent ovulation as a contraception medication. The drug changes the condition of cervical mucus and uterine lining and hampers the movement of sperm cells to the uterus and attachment of a fertilized egg to the uterus.
Dosage and direction
Follow all recommendations of your health care advisor. Take the first pill on the first day of your menses or on the first Sunday after your period started. If you use Levlen for the first time, you may need additional birth control means. There are 28-day birth control packs with seven ‘reminder’ pills for the regular cycle. While you are using ‘reminder’ pills, the period usually begins. Breakthrough bleeding is possible. If it becomes heavy and continues, inform your doctor. Take each pill every day at about the same time. When your pill pack is over, start a new one. In case of needed medical tests or surgery, it is possible that you may need to stop using Levlen for a short period of time.
Precautions
Additional birth control methods (condoms or a spermicide) may be needed when you start to use Levlen. Intake of hormones may increase the risk of blood clotting, heart attack, stroke, especially in patients over 35 years old or smokers. Inform your doctor if you have problems with the heart, blood pressure, congestive heart failure, angina, high cholesterol, depression in history, seizures or epilepsy, diabetes, gallbladder disease, varicose veins, tuberculosis, uterine fibroid tumors, a history of fibrocystic breast disease, nodules.
Contraindications
This medication cannot be used in pregnant women or those just after delivery, in patients with a stroke or blood clot in history, circulation problems, vaginal bleeding, hormone-related cancer, liver disease or liver cancer, circulation problems, abnormal vaginal bleeding, migraine headaches, a heart valve disorder, severe high blood pressure, jaundice caused by birth control pills in history.
Side effects
Besides allergic symptoms (hives, skin rash, facial swelling, difficulty breathing), this medication may be a reason for sudden numbness or weakness, pain behind the eyes, problems with vision, headache, confusion, speech, or balance, a change in the pattern or severity of migraine headaches, chest pain or a heavy feeling, pain spreading to the arm or shoulder, nausea, sweating, general ill feeling, swelling of the extremities, depression, loss of appetite, nausea, stomach pain, dark urine, jaundice.
Drug interaction
There are drugs which can interact with Levlen. Inform your doctor about all prescribed and over-the-counter medications, herbal products, and food supplements you use, especially about theophylline (Respbid, Theo-Dur), acetaminophen (Tylenol), or ascorbic acid (vitamin C), prednisolone (Orapred), St. John’s wort, seizure medications, cyclosporine (Gengraf, Neoral, Sandimmune), barbiturate sedatives, HIV or AIDS medications, and antibiotics.
Missed dose
If you missed a pill, the risk of becoming pregnant increases. If you forgot to take one ‘active’ pill, take two pills as soon as you remember, then return to your schedule. If you miss two ‘active’ pills in a row in the first or second week of treatment, take two pills a day for two days in a row, then return to your schedule. Use a birth control test during seven days if such a ‘mistake’ occurred. If you miss two ‘active’ pills in a row during the third week, or if you miss three pills in a row during any of the first three weeks, you need to start a new pack of pills as if you are a First Day starter.
If you did not take three ‘active’ pills in a row during any of the first three weeks, start a new pack on the same day as if you are a First Day starter. If you skipped intake of two or more pills, you may not have a period during this month. If you miss a period for two months in a row, you might be pregnant. If you miss any reminder pills, throw the missed pills away and return to your schedule.
Overdose
The most expected overdose symptoms of this medication are vomiting, nausea, and vaginal bleeding.
Storage
Store at room temperature between 20-25°C (68-77°F). Store away from moisture, heat, and sunlight. It is not recommended to store in a bathroom and places available for children.
Disclaimer
We provide only general information about medications, which does not cover all directions, possible drug interactions, or precautions. Information on the site cannot be used for self-treatment and self-diagnosis. Any specific instructions for a particular patient should be agreed with your healthcare adviser or doctor in charge of the case. We disclaim reliability of this information and any mistakes it could contain. We are not responsible for any direct, indirect, special, or other indirect damage as a result of any use of the information on this site and also for consequences of self-treatment.