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In this Article

• What is ethinyl estradiol and levonorgestrel extended-cycle (Seasonale)?
• What are the possible side effects of ethinyl estradiol and levonorgestrel extended-cycle (Seasonale)?
• What is the most important information I should know about ethinyl estradiol and levonorgestrel extended-cycle (Seasonale)?
• What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking ethinyl estradiol and levonorgestrel extended-cycle (Seasonale)?
• How should I take ethinyl estradiol and levonorgestrel extended-cycle (Seasonale)?
• What happens if I miss a dose (Seasonale)?
• What happens if I overdose (Seasonale)?
• What should I avoid while taking ethinyl estradiol and levonorgestrel extended-cycle (Seasonale)?
• What other drugs will affect ethinyl estradiol and levonorgestrel extended-cycle (Seasonale)?
• Where can I get more information?

What happens if I miss a dose (Seasonale)?

Missing a pill increases your risk of becoming pregnant.

If you miss one "active" pill, take two pills on the day that you remember. Then take one pill per day for the rest of the pack.

If you miss two "active" pills in a row, take two pills per day for two days in a row. Then take one pill per day for the rest of the pack. Use back-up birth control for at least 7 days following the missed pills.

If you miss three "active" pills in a row, do not take the missed pills. Continue taking 1 pill per day on schedule according to the pill package and leave the missed pills in the package. You may have some bleeding or spotting if you miss three pills in a row. Use back-up birth control for at least the next 7 days.

If you miss any reminder pills, throw them away and keep taking one pill per day until the pack is empty. You do not need back-up birth control if you miss a reminder pill. If your period does not start while you are taking the reminder pills, call your doctor because you might be pregnant.

What happens if I overdose (Seasonale)?

Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this medicine. Overdose symptoms may include nausea, vomiting, and vaginal bleeding.

What should I avoid while taking ethinyl estradiol and levonorgestrel extended-cycle (Seasonale)?

Do not smoke while using birth control pills, especially if you are older than 35. Smoking can increase your risk of blood clots, stroke, or heart attack caused by birth control pills.

Birth control pills will not protect you from sexually transmitted diseases--including HIV and AIDS. Using a condom is the only way to protect yourself from these diseases.

What other drugs will affect ethinyl estradiol and levonorgestrel extended-cycle (Seasonale)?

The following drugs can make birth control pills less effective, which may result in pregnancy:

• acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ascorbic acid (vitamin C);
• phenylbutazone (Azolid, Butazolidin);
• prednisolone (Orapred);
• theophylline (Respbid, Theo-Dur);
• cyclosporine (Neoral, Sandimmune, Gengraf);
• St. John's wort;
• antibiotics such as amoxicillin (Augmentin), ampicillin (Omnipen), doxycycline (Doryx, Vibramycin), griseofulvin (Grisactin, Grifulvin, Fulvicin), minocycline (Minocin), penicillin (Veetids, Pen Vee K, Bicillin), rifampin (Rifadin), rifabutin (Mycobutin), tetracycline, and others;
• seizure medicines such as phenytoin (Dilantin), carbamazepine (Tegretol), felbamate (Felbatol), oxcarbazepine (Trileptal), topiramate (Topamax), or primidone (Mysoline);
• a barbiturate such as butabarbital (Butisol), mephobarbital (Mebaral), secobarbital (Seconal), or phenobarbital (Luminal, Solfoton); or
• HIV medicines such as indinavir (Crixivan), saquinavir (Invirase), lopinavir/ritonavir (Kaletra), fosamprenavir (Lexiva), ritonavir (Norvir), or nelfinavir (Viracept), and others.

This list is not complete and there may be other drugs that can interact with birth control pills. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor.

Where can I get more information?

Your pharmacist can provide more information about ethinyl estradiol and levonorgestrel.

Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.

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