What is Min-Ovral/Levonorgestrel/ethinyl estradiol used for?

This medicine is for the prevention of pregnancy (contraception) in women.

If you have any questions about your medicine, please talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or health care provider. This medicine is to be used by the patient for whom it is prescribed. Do not give it to others. This information is advisory only. It does not contain all information about this medicine. If you have any questions about your medicine, ask your doctor, pharmacist, or health care provider.

How should Min-Ovral/Levonorgestrel/ethinyl estradiol be stored?

Store Tablet between 68 to 77 degrees F.

General drug information:

When should Min-Ovral/Levonorgestrel/ethinyl estradiol not be taken?

Do not take this medicine if you are allergic to any ingredient in this medicine you have a heart attack or stroke you have blood clots in the legs, lungs, or eyes you have blood clots in the deep veins of the legs you have known or suspected breast cancer or cancer of the lining of the uterus, cervix, or vagina you have a liver tumor you have chest pain you have unexplained vaginal bleeding you have yellowing of the skin or eyes during pregnancy or with prior use of this type of medicine if you know or suspect that you are pregnant

What precautions should I follow when taking Min-Ovral/Levonorgestrel/ethinyl estradiol?

Before using this medicine, tell your health care provider about any of the following: if you are planning to become pregnant or breastfeeding if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine if you have any other medical condition, such as breast nodules, fibrocystic breast disease, previous abnormal breast x-ray or mammogram, diabetes, high-fat content in diet, high blood pressure, migraine, epilepsy, depression, gallbladder, heart or kidney disease, history of irregular or scant periods.

What special warning(s) should I be aware of when taking Min-Ovral/Levonorgestrel/ethinyl estradiol?

Cigarette smoking increases the risk of serious side effects on the heart and blood vessels from the use of this medicine. The risk increases with age and with heavy smoking (15 or more cigarettes a day). Do not smoke if you use this medicine.

What are the side effects of Min-Ovral/Levonorgestrel/ethinyl estradiol?

Most severe: Breakthrough bleeding; spotting; change in menstrual flow; amenorrhea; temporary infertility after discontinuance of treatment; edema; melasma which may persist; breast changes: tenderness, enlargement, and secretion; change in weight, chang

Most common:  Nausea; vomiting; bleeding between menstrual periods; weight gain; breast tenderness; difficulty wearing contact lenses; swelling of the fingers or ankles; spotty darkening of the skin; change in appetite; headache; nervousness; depression; dizziness; loss of scalp hair; rash; vaginal infection.

Other: Abdominal cramps, bloating

How should I take Min-Ovral/Levonorgestrel/ethinyl estradiol?

How much medicine you take and how often you take it depend on many factors, including the condition being treated, your age, and weight. If you have any questions about the amount andperor frequency of the medicine you are taking, talk with your health care provider. Please follow the patient information given with this medicine very carefully to avoid unwanted pregnancies. This medicine is intended to stop pregnancy. It does not protect against any sexually transmitted diseases, including HIV infection (AIDS). Do not take this medicine if you are pregnant, think that your pregnant, or have unexplained vaginal bleeding. Talk with your doctor if you have and have had diabetes, high blood pressure, high fat content in your diet, blood clotting disorders, heart attack, stroke, cancer of the breast or sex organs, yellowing of the skin or eyes, cancerous or noncancerous liver tumors. Take this medicine once a day at the same time each day. It is important the tablet is taken at the same time each day, because any change can lead to spotting or an unwanted pregnancy, A good way to remember to take it would be to take a tablet doing an activity that you do at the same time each day (eg, eating, bedtime, brushing teeth). Pregnancy or spotting is not likely to occur if one tablet is missed, but it can happen. The more Tablet you miss in one month, the more likely you are to become pregnant. Any time a tablet is missed, additional birth control should be used for at least 7 to 14 days, but is recommended until you finish the pack, because pregnancy is still possible 14 days after 1 missed tablet. Tell your health care provider when certain side effects occur. The pack come with either 21 or 28 Tablet. With the 21 Tablet, you will take 1 tablet at the same time each day for 21 days then not take any for 7 days. Quite often women will forget to start taking the medicine again after the 7 "off" days. With the 28 Tablet, you take 1 tablet at the same time each day for 28 days, then start a new pack without skipping any days between. If you miss the first tablet of the new pack, it is recommended that you use the additional birth control for the whole month. Because of this, the 28 tablet packs are prescribed. Ask your doctor about the 28 tablet packs if you have problems remembering to start the new pack after 7 "off" days. The most common way to start is to take the first tablet on the first Sunday after your menstrual period begins. If your menstrual period begins on Sunday, take the first tablet on that day. You can start taking the Tablet on another day besides Sunday if it is more convenient. Talk to your doctor if you prefer another day. After starting the first pack, use additional birth control for at least the first week, but it is recommended to use additional birth control for the whole month. By doing this, it decreases the chances of an unwanted pregnancy. Birth control pills can increase the risk of breast cancer. However, it can provide some protection against cancer of the ovaries and endometrium. If you experience diarrhea or vomiting for any reason or are taking other medications, your birth control Tablet may not work as well. Use a back-up method of birth control until you check with your doctor or clinic. When using the 21-day pack, if you finish a pack or switch your brand of medicine, wait 7 days to start the new pack. You will probably have your menstrual cycle during those 7 days. Be sure that no more than 7 days pass between 21-day packs. When using the 28-day pack, if you finish a pack or switch your brand of medicine, start the new medicine pack of the day after your last "reminder" tablet. Do not wait any days between packs. If you forget to take any of the 7 "reminder" Tablet in week 4, throw away the Tablet that you missed. Keep taking 1 tablet each day until the pack is empty. You don't need a back-up method of birth control to avoid becoming pregnant. If you are not sure about the Tablet you have missed,