Ethinylestradiol & Drospirenone is indicated in oral contraception,?prevention of pregnancy

Oral Contraceptive preparations

Ethinylestradiol is a synthetic oestrogen while drospirenone is a progestogen with antimineralocorticoid and antiandrogenic activity. Combined oral contraceptives act by suppressing the gonadotropins. Oral contraceptives also produce changes in the cervical mucus, making it less favorable for sperm penetration even if ovulation occurs.

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How to Take Ethinylestradiol & Drospirenone

\nTo achieve maximum contraceptive effectiveness, Ethinylestradiol & Drospirenone must be taken in the order directed on the package and at intervals not exceeding 24 hours. Women should be instructed to take the tablets at about the same time every day, preferably after the evening meal or at bedtime. One tablet is to be taken daily for 28 consecutive days. Each subsequent pack is started on the day after the current pack is completed. \n

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• If you have decided to take Ethinylestradiol & Drospirenone for contraception, wait for your next menstruation begins.
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• From the first day of your menstruation, start taking the first light yellow tablet from the left corner of the top row (with arrow mark) of your Ethinylestradiol & Drospirenone tablet pack.
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• Continue taking one light yellow tablet each day along the arrow mark.
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• After taking 21 light yellow tablets for 21 days, then continue taking one white placebo tablet every day from the last row in the pack for next 7 days.
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• It is most likely that your menstruation will start while taking the white tablets. Do not discontinue taking the white tablets. Taking of the white tablets for 7 days will help you keep your tablet taking routine. If your menstruation does not start during this time, check with your doctor to make sure you are not pregnant.
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• After completing the seven white tablets, start taking light yellow tablets from another Ethinylestradiol & Drospirenone pack and continue taking the tablet as long as you don't want to be pregnant.
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Management of Missed Tablets

\nIf you forgot to take a tablet one day, take the missed tablet as soon as you remember. This may mean taking two tablets the very next day. Additionally you should use some other method of contraception while you are taking the tablets & until your next menstruation. \n \nIf you forget to take the tablets for two continuous days, then it is likely that you will no longer be protected against pregnancy. You should therefore discontinue taking the tablet and adopt some other temporary methods (condom/foam tablet) till your next menstruation. Discard the unfinished pack of tablets and start taking tablets from the very first white tablet of the top row from a fresh pack from the first day of next menstruation. \n

How to Delay a Period

\nTo delay a period you should continue with another new pack of Ethinylestradiol & Drospirenone just after finishing the light yellow active tablet of the present pack (that is no need to take white placebo tablet of present pack). The extension can be carried on for as long as wished until the end of the second pack. When you wish your period to begin, just stop tablet taking. While using the second pack woman may have some breakthrough bleeding or spotting. Start with your next pack after the usual 7 day white inactive tablet interval. \n

Advice in Case of Vomiting

\nIf vomiting occurs within 4 hours after white active tablet taking, absorption may not be complete. In such an event, the advice concerning Management of Missed Tablets is applicable. The woman must take the extra active tablet(s) needed from a back up pack after vomiting. \n \n

Interactions between ethinylestradiol and other drugs may lead to decreased or increased ethinylestradiol concentrations, respectively.Decreased ethinylestradiol serum concentrations may cause an increased incidence of breakthrough bleeding and menstrual irregularities and may possibly reduce efficacy of the oral contraceptive. Example of substances that may decrease serum ethinylestradiol concentrations include rifampicin, phenytoin, primidone, rifabutin, dexamethasone, griseofulvin, topiramate, some protease inhibitors, modafinil, ritonavir and barbiturates. Certain antibiotics including ampicillin, other penicillins and tetracyclines may reduce the efficacy of oral contraceptives. During concomitant use of Ethinylestradiol & Drospirenone?& other drugs that may lead to decreased ethinylestradiol serum concentrations, it is recommended that a non-hormonal back-up method of contraception to be used in addition to the regular intake of Ethinylestradiol & Drospirenone.

\n \nContraindicated in- \n

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• If you are pregnant
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• If you are over 45 years of age
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• If you are a heavy smoker (more than 20 cigarette/day)
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• If you have got heart disease, clotting of blood in the vein
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• If you suffer from liver disease or jaundice
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• If you are suffer from high blood pressure, migraine, feel something hard in your breast, diabetes with vascular involvement, experience excessive bleeding for which no reason has yet been ascertained
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• Hypersensitivity to any of the components of Drospirenone + Ethinylestradiol
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\n \nDifferent types of tablet suit different types of woman. At the initial stage some women may experience side-effects like dizziness, headache, nausea or inter-menstrual bleeding. If taken regularly, such types of side-effects normally go away after 2-3 months. If she continues to have the side effects beyond 2-3 months, she could consult with a doctor. \n \nAfter starting one brand of oral contraceptive tablets, if you feel any inconvenience such as migraine, changes in eyesight or speech, unusual pain or swelling in your legs, sharp chest pains or shortness of breath, yellow skin or a rise in blood pressure take advice from your doctor or contact the nearest family planning center. \n \n

\n \nPregnancy:?Category X: Studies in animals or human beings have demonstrated foetal abnormalities or there is evidence of foetal risk based on human experience or both, and the risk of the use of the drug in pregnant women clearly outweighs any possible benefit. The drug is contraindicated in women who are or may become pregnant. \n \nLactation:?Oestrogen-containing oral contraceptives given in the postpartum period may interfere with lactation. There may be a decrease in the quantity and a change in the composition of the breast milk. Furthermore, small amounts of contraceptive steroids and/or metabolites have been identified in the milk of mothers receiving them. A few adverse effects have been reported, including jaundice and breast enlargement. The use of oestrogen-containing oral contraceptives should be deferred until the infant has been completely weaned. \n \n

May increase risk of breast cancer, thromboembolism and glucose intolerance. May lead to hyperkalaemia in patients with adrenal insufficiency. May affect serum triglycerides and lipoprotein levels. May cause retinal vascular thrombosis; discontinue treatment if papilloedema or retinal vascular lesions occur. Caution when used in patients with depression, history of migraines or risk factors for coronary arterial diseases. Patients with diseases which may be worsened by fluid retention. May have dose-related risk of gall bladder disease. Increased risk of CV side effects when used in smokers, especially if they are >35 yr of age. Recommended to stop treatment 4 wk before and for 2 wk after elective surgery associated with high risk of thromboembolism or periods of immobilisation. Lactation.

\n \nPaediatric Use: Ethinylestradiol & Drospirenone?is only indicated after menarche. There is no data suggesting the need for a dosage adjustment. \n \nUse in the Elderly: Ethinylestradiol & Drospirenone?is not indicated after menopause. \n \n

Symptoms of oral contraceptive overdosage in adults and children may include nausea, vomiting, breast tenderness, dizziness, abdominal pain, drowsiness, fatigue; withdrawal bleeding may occur in females. There is no specific antidote and further treatment of overdose, if necessary, is directed to the symptoms.

Store in a cool and dry place. Keep away from light & out of reach of children.