Manufacturer:
Janssen-Ortho
Description:
Chemical Name: NORGESTIMATE (nor-JES-ti-mate) and ETHINYL ESTRADIOL (ETH-in-il ess-tra-DYE-ole)
This medicine is progesterone and estrogen combination contraceptive pill used to prevent pregnancy. It may also be used to treat other conditions as determined by your doctor.
Directions:
Follow the directions for using this medicine provided by your doctor. AN ADDITIONAL PATIENT INFORMATION LEAFLET is available with this medicine. Read it carefully. Ask your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist any questions that you may have about this medicine. TALK WITH YOUR DOCTOR about how you should start to take your first pack of this medicine. If you begin to take this medicine during the first 24 hours of your period, you do not need to use an extra form of birth control. If you begin to take this medicine on the Sunday after your period starts, you will need to use an extra form of birth control for 7 days after you start taking this medicine. IF YOU ARE SWITCHING FROM ANOTHER BIRTH CONTROL PILL to this medicine, start this medicine on the same day that you would have started a new pack of your previous birth control pills. Talk with your doctor if you have any questions about how to switch from another form of hormonal birth control to this medicine. THIS MEDICINE MAY BE TAKEN ON AN EMPTY STOMACH OR WITH FOOD. STORE THIS MEDICINE at 77 degrees F (25 degrees C), away from heat and light. Brief storage between 59 and 86 degrees F (15 and 30 degrees C) is permitted. TAKE THIS MEDICINE AT THE SAME TIME EVERY DAY, not more than 24 hours apart. After taking the last pill in the pack, start taking the first pill from a new pack the very next day. FOR THIS MEDICINE TO BE EFFECTIVE it must be taken every day. Do not skip doses even if you do not have sex very often. Do not skip pills if you are spotting, bleeding, or nauseous. If you have these side effects and they do not go away, check with your doctor. IF YOU MISS ONE DOSE OF THIS MEDICINE, take it as soon as you remember. Take your next dose at the regular time. This means you may take 2 doses on the same day. You do not need to use a backup form of birth control if you only miss 1 pill. If you miss more than 1 dose, read the extra patient leaflet that comes with this medicine or contact your doctor for instructions. YOU MUST USE A BACKUP FORM of birth control if you miss more than 1 dose. If you are not sure how to handle missed doses, use an extra form of birth control (eg, condoms) until you talk with your doctor. If you have any questions, contact your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist.
Cautions:
SMOKING CIGARETTES while using this medicine may increase your risk of stroke, heart attack, blood clots, high blood pressure, or other diseases of the heart and blood vessels. IF YOU HAVE VOMITING OR DIARRHEA for any reason, your medicine may not work as well. TAKING CERTAIN ANTIBIOTICS or anticonvulsants while you are using this medicine may decrease the effectiveness of this medicine. To prevent pregnancy, use an additional form of birth control until your next period. If you have any questions, contact your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist. BEFORE YOU HAVE ANY MEDICAL OR DENTAL TREATMENTS, EMERGENCY CARE, OR SURGERY, tell the doctor or dentist that you are using this medicine. IF YOU WEAR CONTACT LENSES and you develop problems with them, contact your doctor. BEFORE YOU BEGIN TAKING ANY NEW MEDICINE, either prescription or over-the-counter, check with your doctor or pharmacist. THIS MEDICINE MAY CAUSE dark skin patches on your face. Exposure to the sun may make these patches darker. If patches develop, use a sunscreen or protective clothing when exposed to the sun, sunlamps, or tanning booths. USE OF THIS MEDICINE WILL NOT PREVENT the spread of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). DO NOT USE THIS MEDICINE if you are pregnant. IF YOU SUSPECT THAT YOU COULD BE PREGNANT, contact your doctor immediately. THIS MEDICINE IS EXCRETED IN BREAST MILK. IF YOU ARE OR WILL BE BREAST-FEEDING while you are using this medicine, check with your doctor or pharmacist to discuss the risks to your baby.
