home > drugs a-z list > aviane (levonorgestrel and ethinyl estradiol tablets) drug center > aviane (levonorgestrel and ethinyl estradiol tablets) drug - overdosage and contraindications

Recommended Topic Related To:

Aviane

Information on Birth Control Pills »

What are birth control pills and how do they work?

Birth control pills are also known as oral contraceptives (OCs) or, simply, “the pill.” They offer protection against pregnancy by blocking the union of sperm and egg, thereby preventing conception.

Oral contraceptives or birth control pills contain synthetic female hormones. They work largely by preventing the release of an egg from an ovary, or ovulation. If no egg is released, there can be no pregnancy.

Stopping ovulation is not the only way birth control pills can work. The progestin or synthetic progesterone in birth control pills also changes the physical and chemical environment of the female reproductive tract, making it hostile for sperm.

What are the different types of birth control pills?

The active ingredients in birth control pills are synthetic versions of the female hormones estrogen and progesterone. Combination oral contraceptives are birth control...

Read the Information on Birth Control Pills article »

Aviane

font size

OVERDOSE

Serious ill effects have not been reported following acute ingestion of large doses of oral contraceptives by young children. Overdosage may cause nausea, and withdrawal bleeding may occur in females.

Noncontraceptive Health Benefits

The following noncontraceptive health benefits related to the use of oral contraceptives are supported by epidemiological studies which largely utilized oral-contraceptive formulations containing doses exceeding 0.035 mg of ethinyl estradiol or 0.05 mg of mestranol.

Effects on menses:

  • Increased menstrual cycle regularity
  • Decreased blood loss and decreased incidence of iron-deficiency anemia
  • Decreased incidence of dysmenorrhea
  • Effects related to inhibition of ovulation:
  • Decreased incidence of functional ovarian cysts
  • Decreased incidence of ectopic pregnancies

Effects from long-term use:

CONTRAINDICATIONS

Oral contraceptives should not be used in women with any of the following conditions:

Thrombophlebitis or thromboembolic disorders

A past history of deep-vein thrombophlebitis or thromboembolic disorders

Cerebrovascular or coronary artery disease

Known or suspected carcinoma of the breast

Carcinoma of the endometrium or other known or suspected estrogen-dependent neoplasia

Undiagnosed abnormal genital bleeding

Cholestatic jaundice of pregnancy or jaundice with prior pill use

Hepatic adenomas or carcinomas

Known or suspected pregnancy

Last reviewed on RxList: 12/12/2008
This monograph has been modified to include the generic and brand name in many instances.

Additional Aviane Information

Report Problems to the Food and Drug Administration

 

You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit the FDA MedWatch website or call 1-800-FDA-1088.


Privacy Policy

Women's Health

Find out what women really need.


From WebMD

Women's Health Resources
Featured Centers
Health Solutions From Our Sponsors