WHAT IS Mircette/Desogestrel-ethinyl estradiol?

ETHINYL/Lynoral ESTRADIOL/Estrace; DESOGESTREL is an oral contraceptive. The products combine two types of female hormones, an estrogen and a progestin. They are used to prevent ovulation and pregnancy. This medicine may be used for other purposes; ask your health care provider or pharmacist if you have questions.

WHERE SHOULD I KEEP Mircette/Desogestrel-ethinyl estradiol?

Keep out of the reach of children.

HOW SHOULD I USE Mircette/Desogestrel-ethinyl estradiol?

Take this medicine by mouth. To reduce nausea, this medicine may be taken with food. Follow the directions on the prescription label. Take this medicine at the same time each day and in the order directed on the package. Do not take your medicine more often than directed.

Contact your pediatrician regarding the use of this medicine in children. Special care may be needed. This medicine has been used in female children who have started having menstrual periods.

A patient information sheet will be given with each prescription and refill. Read this sheet carefully each time. The sheet may change frequently.

Overdosage: If you think you have taken too much of this medicine contact a poison control center or emergency room at once.

Note: This medicine is only for you. Do not share this medicine with others.

WHAT IF I MISS A DOSE?

If you miss a dose, refer to the patient information sheet you received with your medicine for direction. If you miss more than one pill, this medicine may not be as effective and you may need to use another form of birth control.

WHAT SHOULD I WATCH FOR WHILE USING Mircette/Desogestrel-ethinyl estradiol?

Visit your doctor or health care professional for regular checks on your progress. You will need a regular breast and pelvic exam and Pap smear while on this medicine.

Use an additional method of contraception during the first cycle that you take these tablets.

If you have any reason to think you are pregnant, stop taking this medicine right away and contact your doctor or health care professional.

If you are taking this medicine for hormone related problems, it may take several cycles of use to see improvement in your condition.

Smoking increases the risk of getting a blood clot or having a stroke while you are taking birth control pills, especially if you are more than 35 years old. You are strongly advised not to smoke.

This medicine can make your body retain fluid, making your fingers, hands, or ankles swell. Your blood pressure can go up. Contact your doctor or health care professional if you feel you are retaining fluid.

This medicine can make you more sensitive to the sun. Keep out of the sun. If you cannot avoid being in the sun, wear protective clothing and use sunscreen. Do not use sun lamps or tanning beds/booths.

If you wear contact lenses and notice visual changes, or if the lenses begin to feel uncomfortable, consult your eye care specialist.

In some women, tenderness, swelling, or minor bleeding of the gums may occur. Notify your dentist if this happens. Brushing and flossing your teeth regularly may help limit this. See your dentist regularly and inform your dentist of the medicines you are taking.

If you are going to have elective surgery, you may need to stop taking this medicine before the surgery. Consult your health care professional for advice.

This medicine does not protect you against HIV infection (AIDS) or any other sexually transmitted diseases.

WHAT MAY INTERACT WITH Mircette/Desogestrel-ethinyl estradiol?

• medicines for anxiety or sleeping problems, such as diazepam or temazepam
• cyclosporine/Gengraf
• felbamate
• acetaminophen
• caffeine
• topiramate/Topamax
• warfarin/Coumadin
• rosuvastatin
• tamoxifen/Nolvadex or raloxifene/Evista
• ritonavir/Norvir or other medicines for HIV infection or AIDS
• hydrocortisone
• mineral oil
• carbamazepine/Carbatrol
• prednisolone
• doxercalciferol
• clofibrate
• mycophenolate/Cellcept
• nefazodone
• bosentan
• dantrolene
• ascorbic acid (vitamin C)
• aprepitant
• oxcarbazepine/Trileptal
• barbiturate medicines, such as phenobarbital
• modafinil
• antibiotics or medicines for infections, especially rifampin, rifabutin, rifapentine, and griseofulvin/Grifulvin, and possibly penicillins or tetracyclines
• selegiline/Eldepryl
• thyroid hormones
• phenytoin/Dilantin er
• soy isoflavones supplements
• St. John's wort
• grapefruit juice
• medicines for diabetes, including pioglitazone/Actos
• atorvastatin/Lipitor
• theophylline/Uniphyl cr

This list may not describe all possible interactions. Give your health care providers a list of all the medicines, herbs, non-prescription drugs, or dietary supplements you use. Also tell them if you smoke, drink alcohol, or use illegal drugs. Some items may interact with your medicine.

WHAT SIDE EFFECTS MAY I NOTICE FROM Mircette/Desogestrel-ethinyl estradiol?

Side effects that you should report to your doctor or health care professional as soon as possible:

• confusion, trouble speaking or understanding
• general ill feeling or flu-like symptoms
• shortness of breath
• pain, swelling, warmth in the leg
• severe headaches
• trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination
• unusual vaginal bleeding
• dark urine
• allergic reactions like skin rash, itching or hives, swelling of the face, lips, or tongue
• light-colored stools
• sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm or leg
• chest pain
• nausea, vomiting
• yellowing of the eyes or skin
• changes in vision
• breast tissue changes or discharge
• right upper belly pain

Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your doctor or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):

• breast tenderness
• depressed mood or mood swings
• hair loss
• symptoms of vaginal infection like itching, irritation or unusual discharge
• increased hunger or thirst
• fluid retention and swelling
• increased urination
• back pain
• unusually weak or tired
• stomach cramps or bloating

This list may not describe all possible side effects.

WHAT SHOULD I TELL MY HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS BEFORE I TAKE Mircette/Desogestrel-ethinyl estradiol?

They need to know if you have or ever had any of these conditions:

• an unusual or allergic reaction to estrogens, progestins, other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives
• diabetes
• pregnant or trying to get pregnant
• migraine headaches
• liver disease
• blood vessel disease or blood clots
• systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)
• breast, cervical, endometrial, ovarian, liver, or uterine cancer
• abnormal vaginal bleeding
• heart disease or recent heart attack
• kidney disease
• high blood pressure
• tobacco smoker
• stroke
• gallbladder disease
• breast-feeding
• high cholesterol

What is the shelf life of the pills?

• The expiry date is mentioned on each blister. It is different for different batches. The shelf life is 2 years from the date of manufacture and would differ from batch to batch depending on when they were manufactured.