Ethinylestradiol and levonorgestrel contain a combination of female hormones that inhibit ovulation (egg production from the ovary). This drug causes changes in your cervical mucus and uterus lining, making it harder for the sperm to reach the uterus and harder for the fertilized ovum to attach to the uterus. Ethinyl estradiol and levonorgestrel are used as contraceptives to prevent pregnancy. Do not use ethinyl estradiol and levonorgestrel if you are pregnant or have a child recently. Do not use this drug if you have a history of stroke or blood clot, a circulation problem (especially if caused by diabetes), such as breast cancer, hormone or uterine cancer, abnormal vaginal bleeding, liver disease or liver cancer, severe, migraine, heart valve failure or jaundice history caused by birth control pills. Taking hormones can increase your risk of blood clots, stroke or heart attack, especially if you smoke and are over 35. This drug can lead to congenital defects. Do not use if you are pregnant. Tell your doctor right away if you are pregnant or if you miss two consecutive menstrual periods.
To take this drug exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not take larger amounts, or take it longer than the one recommended by your doctor. You will take your first pill on the first day of the period or on the first Sunday after your period begins (follow your doctor's instructions). You may need to use reserve birth rates, such as condoms or spermicides, when you first start using this medicine. Follow your doctor's instructions. Some 28-day birth control packages contain seven pills to remind you to keep you on your regular cycle. Your period usually starts while you are using these pills as a reminder. Breakthrough bleeding can occur, especially during the first 3 months. Tell your doctor if this bleeding continues or is very severe. Take one pill, every day, from each other for no more than 24 hours. When the pills run out, run a new package the next day. You can get pregnant if you use this medicine regularly. If you need to have any type of medical test or surgery, or if you are on bed rest, you may need to stop using this medicine for a short time. Any doctor or surgeon who applies you should know that you are using birth control pills.
Do not smoke when using birth control pills, especially if you are over 35. Smoking can increase the risk of blood clots, stroke and heart attack caused by the birth control pills. The birth control pills will not protect you from sexually transmitted diseases-including HIV and AIDS. A condom is the only way to protect yourself from these diseases. Some drugs can make birth control pills less effective, which can lead to pregnancy. Follow the patient's instructions included with your medicine. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you do not understand these instructions. Lack of a pill increases the risk of getting pregnant. If you miss one active pill, take two pills a day that you remember. Then take one pill a day for the rest of the package. If you missed two active pills in a row on week 1 or 2, take two pills a day for two consecutive days. Then take one pill a day for the rest of the package. Use backup birth control at least 7 days after the missed pills. If you missed two active pills in a row on week 3, discard the remaining pills and start a new one on the same day if you start day 1. If you're new on Sunday, keep taking the pills every day until Sunday. Throw out the rest of the bag on Sunday and start a new bag on that day. If you missed three active pills in a row on week 1, 2 or 3, discard the remaining packs and start a new one on the same day if you start day 1. If you are new on Sunday, keep taking the pills every day until Sunday. Throw out the rest of the bag on Sunday and start a new bag on that day. If you miss two or more pills, you may not have a period of one month. If you miss a period of two consecutive months, call your doctor because you may be pregnant. If you miss the reminder pill, throw it away and continue to take one reminder pill a day until the package is empty. You do not need a backup birth control if you miss the reminder pill.