Nordette 28
ABOUT
Nordette 28 is an oral
contraceptive. Oral contraceptives are commonly known as 'the Pill'. Nordette
pills contain two active ingredients (levonorgestrel and ethinyloestradiol)
that can stop you from beginning pregnant if taken correctly. They are similar
to hormones your body normally produces.
USES:
This medication is used
to prevent pregnancy or to regulate your menstrual cycle. Certain brands
of birth control pills may be used for treating acne or as a "morning
after" pill for emergency contraception. Consult
your doctor or pharmacist. Use of this medication does not protect you
or your partner against sexually transmitted diseases (e.g., HIV, gonorrhea).
HOW TO USE:
Take this medication
with food or immediately after a meal to prevent stomach upset. Try
to take this medication at the same time each day. This may help you to
remember to take it. Learn proper use of your particular brand of medication.
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 this medication since it takes a while to
be effective. Follow your doctor's directions exactly if this drug is being
used as a "morning
after" pill.
WARNING:
Smoking cigarettes
while using this medication increases your chance of having heart problems.
Do not smoke while using this medication. 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).
SIDE EFFECTS:
This medication
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.
PRECAUTIONS:
Before you take
this medication, 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, this drug may cause a patchy,
darkening of the skin on the face (melasma). Higher strengths 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. This drug must not be
used during pregnancy. If you become pregnant or think you may be pregnant,
inform your doctor immediately. This medication passes into breast milk.
This may affect milk production and may have harmful effects on a nursing
infant. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.
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.
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
this drug. Birth control pills may significantly intensify the effects
of alcohol. Consult your doctor or pharmacist about this. Do not start
or stop any medicine without doctor or pharmacist approval.
OVERDOSE:
If overdose is suspected,
contact your local poison control center or emergency room immediately.
Symptoms of overdose may include nausea and vomiting. Females may experience
vaginal bleeding.
NOTES:
Do not allow anyone
else to take this medication. 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 this drug should be dispensed with each prescription. Read
the information carefully. Ask your doctor or pharmacist any questions you
may have.
MISSED DOSE:
Missed dose advice
differs and depends on the brand used, and the number of doses missed. Refer
to the product package information for advice on missed doses. Ask your
doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions.
STORAGE:
Store at room temperature between 59 and 86 degrees F (between 15 and 30 degrees
C) away from moisture and sunlight. Do not store in the bathroom.
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