Seasonale

SEASONALE® is the only FDA-approved birth control pill that lets you have just 4 periods a year. You take active pills every day for three months instead of every day for three weeks. And, leading women's healthcare experts agree you don't need a monthly period when you're on the Pill because you're not ovulating. Prescription SEASONALE® is the same kind of trusted hormones as many other birth control pills. SEASONALE® has the same reliable effectiveness (99%) as other birth control pills, when taken as directed. Plus, you get just 4 periods a year.

Seasonale Directions

Follow the directions for using Seasonale provided by your doctor. Seasonale COMES with a patient information leaflet. Read it carefully. Ask your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist any questions that you may have before using Seasonale.

Begin taking Seasonale on the first Sunday following the start of your period, unless otherwise directed by your doctor.  If your period begins on a Sunday, begin taking Seasonale on that day. TRY TO TAKE Seasonale 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. STORE Seasonale at room temperature between 68 and 77 degrees F (20 and 25 degrees C), away from heat and light.

For Seasonale to be effective it must be taken every day. Do not skip doses. IF YOU MISS A DOSE OF Seasonale, 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. IF YOU MISS 2 active pills in a row, take 2 pills on the day you remember, and 2 pills the next day. Then return to your regular dosing schedule. You must use another form of birth control as a back-up (such as condoms or spermicide) for 7 days if you miss 2 pills in a row. If you miss 3 or more active pills in a row, leave the missed pills in the pack. Keep taking 1 pill every day until you have completed the pack. You must use another form of birth control as a back-up for 7 days. If you miss taking any of the inactive pills, throw them away. Finish the rest of the pills in the pack on schedule. You do not need a back-up method of birth control if you miss any of the inactive pills. If you have any questions, contact your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist.

Seasonale Side Effects

SIDE EFFECTS, that may go away during treatment, include:

• nausea,

• vomiting,

• bleeding between menstrual periods,

• vaginal discomfort or irritation,

• increased vaginal discharge,

• breast tenderness,

• or weight change.

If they continue or are bothersome, check with your doctor. CHECK WITH YOUR DOCTOR AS SOON AS POSSIBLE if you experience persistent or recurrent abnormal vaginal bleeding, dark patches on the skin or face, swelling of fingers or ankles, mental or mood changes such as depression, headache, or difficulty wearing contact lenses.

CONTACT YOUR DOCTOR IMMEDIATELY if you experience calf/leg pain or swelling, trouble breathing or shortness of breath, chest pain, one-sided weakness, slurred speech, confusion, lumps in the breast, sudden severe headache, dizziness or fainting, sharp or crushing chest pain, sudden shortness of breath, coughing up blood, dark urine, yellowing skin or eyes, changes in vision, numbness of an arm or leg, or severe stomach pain.

Seasonale Precautions

SIDE EFFECTS, that may go away during treatment, include nausea, vomiting, bleeding between menstrual periods, vaginal discomfort or irritation, increased vaginal discharge, breast tenderness, or weight change. If they continue or are bothersome, check with your doctor. CHECK WITH YOUR DOCTOR AS SOON AS POSSIBLE if you experience persistent or recurrent abnormal vaginal bleeding, dark patches on the skin or face, swelling of fingers or ankles, mental or mood changes such as depression, headache, or difficulty wearing contact lenses.

AN ALLERGIC REACTION to Seasonale is unlikely, but seek immediate medical attention if it occurs. Symptoms of an allergic reaction include rash, itching, swelling, dizziness, or trouble breathing. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist.

Drug Interactions with Seasonale

Tell your doctor of all prescription and nonprescription medication you may use, especially: anti-seizure medicine (e.g., carbamazepine, felbamate, Phenobarbital, phenytoin, topiramate), certain antibiotics (e.g., ampicillin, erythromycin), HIV protease inhibitors (e.g., indinavir, ritonavir), phenylbutazone, griseofulvin, atorvastatin, azole antifungal (e.g., itraconazole, ketoconazole), rifampin, St John's wart, cyclosporine, temazepam, prednisolone, morphine, theophylline, ascorbic acid (vitamin C), acetaminophen, aspirin, clofibric acid, modafinil, troglitazone. This product can affect the results of certain lab tests (e.g., blood tests such as glucose, clotting factors, or thyroid). Make sure laboratory personnel and your doctors know you use Seasonale. Do not start or stop any medicine without doctor or pharmacist approval.

Seasonale Notes

Seasonale DOES NOT protect you against sexually transmittable diseases. If in doubt, use a condom. Do not share Seasonale with others. Keep all appointments with your doctor and when having laboratory tests performed. You should have a complete physical exam including blood pressure, breast exams, pelvic exams, and PAP smears at least once a year.