Levonorgestrel + ethinylestradiol - oral

Levonorgestrel and Ethinylestradiol are combined together in this medicine.

Levonorgestrel+Ethinylestradiol is an oral contraceptive (birth control pill). This medicine is used to prevent pregnancy.

This medicine may be used to treat other conditions as decided by your doctor.

Take Levonorgestrel+Ethinylestradiol exactly as directed by your doctor or according to the instructions on the label. Do not take more or less than instructed by your doctor.

Try to take it at the same time each day.

If it is less than 12 hours late from your scheduled dose, you may take the missed dose.

Do not double a dose under any circumstances.

If you often forget to take your medicine, let your doctor and pharmacist know.

Alert your doctor if you have the following conditions:

• currently have or at high risk of having a blood clot disorder e.g. family history, very high blood pressure, abnormal levels of cholesterol and fats in the blood, smoking, diabetes, migraine, increased age (>35 years old)
• heart disease e.g. stroke, heart attack, chest pain
• liver disease e.g. liver tumours, hepatitis (liver infection)
• breast cancer or history of breast cancer
• undiagnosed vaginal bleeding
• have surgery which may cause a limited ability to move around

as this medicine may not be suitable for you.

Do not take Levonorgestrel+Ethinylestradiol if you are pregnant or planning to have a baby soon. If you become pregnant while being treated with this medicine, alert your doctor immediately. This medicine may cause harm to your unborn child.

Inform your doctor if you have the following conditions:

• systemic lupus erythematosus (autoimmune disease that causes inflammation)
• history of depression
• gallbladder disease
• history of chloasma (facial skin discolouration)
• hereditary angioedema (swelling of the limbs, face)

Let your doctor know if you are breastfeeding.

If you are going for laboratory test, inform your doctor that you are taking Levonorgestrel+Ethnylestradiol as this medicine may interfere with certain tests.

Keep your appointments with your doctor. Your doctor needs to monitor your condition and check your response to the medication regularly.

Levonorgestrel+Ethinylestradiol may make you drowsy or dizzy. If affected, do not drive or take part in any activity in which you need to be alert.

This medicine may cause any of the following side effects: headache, nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, acne, changes in weight, changes in mood, decreased sex drive, and breast pain and tenderness.

Inform your doctor if any of these side effects do not go away or are severe, or if you experience other side effects.

Inform your doctor and pharmacist if you are taking any of these medicines:

- medicines for epilepsy (fits or seizures) e.g. phenytoin, carbamazepine, phenobarbital
- medicines to treat tuberculosis or TB e.g. rifampicin, rifabutin
- cholesterol-lowering medicines e.g. atorvastatin, rosuvastatin
- medicines for HIV infection e.g. ritonavir, nelfinavir
- medicines for hepatitis C infection e.g. boceprevir, telaprevir
- medicines to treat fungal infection e.g. ketoconazole, itraconazole, fluconazole
- certain antibiotics e.g. clarithromycin, erythromycin
- herbal medicine e.g. St. John’s Wort

This list does not include all medicines that may interact with Levonorgestrel+Ethinylestradiol.

Always notify your doctor and pharmacist if you are taking any other medicines, including herbal tonics such as traditional Chinese medicines, supplements and medicines that you buy without a prescription.

Avoid alcohol and grapefruit juice.

Store in a cool, dry place away from the reach of children.

Medicines must not be used past the expiry date.