Ethinyl Estradiol+gestodene

Do not take Ethinyl Estradiol+gestodene if you are allergic to any of its components. Inform your doctor if you have/had heart disease, stroke, heart attack, deep vein thrombosis (clot in the legs), pulmonary embolism (clot in the lungs), migraine with aura, blood disorders, liver disease, uncontrolled diabetes, uncontrolled hypertension, very high blood cholesterol, clotting disorders, varicose veins, gall-bladder disease, pancreatic disorders, breast/uterine/cervical cancer, bowel disease, absorption disorders, SLE (lupus), HUS (haemolytic uraemic syndrome), or any kind of anaemia. Keep your doctor informed of your entire family history of any hormone-dependent cancers. Consult your doctor before taking Ethinyl Estradiol+gestodene during pregnancy or if you are breastfeeding as it is not recommended in these states. Do not consume Ethinyl Estradiol+gestodene with alcohol. Women with a tendency for chloasma/melasma (skin condition commonly seen in middle-aged women) should avoid sun exposure after taking Ethinyl Estradiol+gestodene. Women with a history of angioedema should exercise caution while taking Ethinyl Estradiol+gestodene as it may worsen the angioedema. Inform your doctor of any medications you are currently on, especially if you are on any antibiotics, antidepressants, antiepileptics, anti-virals, sedatives or any herbal remedies for depression.

Drug-Drug Interactions: Ethinyl Estradiol+gestodene is known to interact with antiepileptics (carbamazepine, phenytoin), blood-thinners (warfarin), anti-diabetics (insulin), HRT (tamoxifen), antidepressants (St. John’s wort), antibiotics (rifampicin), antifungal (griseofulvin), anti-HIV drugs (ritonavir), sedatives (secobarbital, phenobarbital), steroids (dexamethasone). 

Drug-Food Interactions: Grapefruit juice, caffeine, and fats may interfere with the absorption of Ethinyl Estradiol+gestodene. Proceed with caution.

Drug-Disease Interactions: Inform your doctor if you have abnormal vaginal bleeding, angioedema, carcinomas, hypertension, DVT, pulmonary embolism, liver cancers, hypercalcemia, hypercholesterolaemia, uncontrolled diabetes, or migraine with aura.

• As nausea and vomiting may occur with the use of Ethinyl Estradiol+gestodene, make sure to take it on light, small meals. 
• After starting Ethinyl Estradiol+gestodene, use another alternative non-hormonal contraceptive for at least ten days.
• Avoid grapefruit juice while taking Ethinyl Estradiol+gestodene as this may interact with Ethinyl Estradiol+gestodene and affect its absorption. 
• Avoid smoking. Smoking interferes with Ethinyl Estradiol+gestodene absorption.
• Maintaining a healthy weight can go a long way in promoting healthy female reproductive health. Make sure you exercise for at least 30 minutes every day. However, do not engage in very strenuous physical exercise, as this can worsen bleeding. 
• Regularly working night shifts can affect hormone production. Try to avoid night shifts. 
• Maintain good sexual hygiene and prevent any sexually transmitted diseases by practising safe sex.

• Do not skip tablets or delay intake by more than 12 hours. Use a condom for 7 days after a missed dose.  
• Chart your menstrual cycle and take Ethinyl Estradiol+gestodene on Day 1 of your cycle, i.e. Day 1 of your period. 
• Use a condom or any non-hormonal contraceptive for the first 10 days after starting Ethinyl Estradiol+gestodene.
• Please inform the doctor immediately if you notice breast lump, dark urine, yellowing of the skin, mood changes, headache, palpitations, severe fatigue or any alarming changes in vaginal bleeding. 
• Call for the doctor right away in case of any stroke symptoms such as breathlessness, confusion, dizziness, left arm pain, jaw pain or sudden vision changes and pulmonary embolism symptoms such as cough, leg pain, warmth, pain in calf etc. 
• Your doctor may advise regular blood tests and cervical smear tests while you are on Ethinyl Estradiol+gestodene.
• Inform your doctor in case you have an impending surgery or operation. 
• Severe nausea, vomiting, or diarrhoea following the use of the tablet can be considered a missed dose. In this case, additional contraceptive measures are advised.