|
Oral contraceptives (birth-control pills) are used to prevent pregnancy. ethinyl estradiol and levonorgestrel are two female sex hormones. Combinations of ethinyl estradiol and levonorgestrel work by preventing ovulation (the release of eggs from the ovaries).They also change the lining of the uterus (womb) to prevent pregnancy from developing and change the mucus at the cervix (opening of the uterus) to prevent sperm (male reproductive cells) from entering.. Oral contraceptives are a very effective method of birth control, but they do not prevent the spread of human immunodeficiency virus [HIV, the virus that causes acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS)] and other sexually transmitted diseases. Some brands of oral contraceptives are also used to treat acne in certain patients. Oral contraceptives work to treat acne by decreasing the amounts of certain natural substances that can cause acne.
Oral contraceptives come in packets of 21, 28, or 91 tablets to take by mouth once a day, every day or almost every day of a regular cycle. To avoid upset stomach, take oral contraceptives with food or milk. To help you remember to take your oral contraceptive regularly, take it at the same time every day (e.g., after dinner or at bedtime)... Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take your oral contraceptive exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it, take it more often, or take it for a longer time than prescribed by your doctor. Oral contraceptives come in many different brands. Different brands of oral contraceptives contain slightly different medications or doses, are taken in slightly different ways, and have different risks and benefits. Be sure that you know which brand of oral contraceptives you are using and exactly how you should use it. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for a copy of the manufacturer's information for the patient and read it carefully. If you have a 21-tablet packet, take one tablet daily for 21 days and then none for seven days. Then start a new packet. If you have a 28-tablet packet, take one tablet daily for 28 days. The last seven tablets are a different color. These tablets are not birth-control pills; they contain iron (ferrous fumarate) or an inactive ingredient. You should take one tablet daily continuously for 28 days in the order specified in your packet, starting a new packet the day after taking your 28th tablet. If you have a 91-day tablet packet, take one tablet daily for 91days. Your packet will contain three trays of tablets. Start with the first tablet on the first tray and continue taking one tablet every day in the order specified on the packet until you have taken all of the tablets on all of the trays. The last seven tablets are a different color. These tablets are not birth-control pills; they contain an inactive ingredient. Start your new packet the day after you take your 91st tablet. Your doctor will tell you when you should start taking your oral contraceptive. Oral contraceptives are usually started on the first or fifth day of your menstrual period or on the first Sunday after or on which bleeding begins. Your doctor will also tell you whether you need to use another method of birth control during the first seven days that you take your oral contraceptive and will help you choose a method. Follow these directions carefully. Your menstrual period will probably begin while you are taking the inactive tablets or during the week that you do not take your oral contraceptive and may continue through that week. Be sure to start taking your new packet on schedule even if you are still bleeding. You may need to use a backup method of birth control if you vomit or have diarrhea while you are taking an oral contraceptive. Talk to your doctor about this before you begin to take your oral contraceptive so that you can prepare a backup method of birth control in case it is needed. If you vomit or have diarrhea while you are taking an oral contraceptive, call your doctor to find out how long you should use the backup method. If you have recently given birth, wait until 4 weeks after giving birth to begin taking oral contraceptives. Oral contraceptives will work to prevent pregnancy or treat acne only as long as they are taken regularly. Continue to take oral contraceptives every day even if you are spotting or bleeding, have an upset stomach, or do not think that you are likely to become pregnant. Do not stop taking oral contraceptives without talking to your doctor. |