Ovral contains a combination of female hormones (norgestrel and ethinyl estradiol) that prevent ovulation. It causes changes in your cervical mucus and uterine lining, making it harder for sperm to reach the uterus and harder for a fertilized egg to attach to the uterus.
Directions
Take Ovral exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Take your first pill on the first day of your period or on the first Sunday after your period begins. You may need to use back-up birth control, such as condoms or a spermicide, when you first start using Ovral. Take 1 tablet daily for 21 days, then 1 'reminder' pill daily for 7 days. The pills should be taken approximately the same time every day.
Precautions
Before taking Ovral tell your doctor if breast cancer, depression, diabetes, heart disease. Ovral do not protect against sexually transmitted diseases, including HIV/AIDS. For protection against these, use latex condoms. Do not smoke while taking Ovral, especially if you are older than 35. Smoking can increase your risk of blood clots, stroke, or heart attack caused by birth control pills.
Contraindications
Do not use Ovral if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, if you have a history of stroke or blood clot, circulation problems, breast cancer or uterine cancer, unusual vaginal bleeding, liver disease or liver cancer, severe high blood pressure, severe migraine headaches, a heart valve disorder, or a history of jaundice caused by birth control pills.
Possible side effect
Get emergency medical help if you have breast lump, sleep problems, hives, weakness, problems with vision or speech, nausea, loss of appetite, sweating, dark urine, yellowing of the skin or eyes. Less common side effects may include: headaches, loss of coordination, increased blood pressure, chest pain, vaginal infection with vaginal itching or irritation.
Drug interactions
Before using Ovral tell your doctor if you are using any of the following drugs: HIV medicines (indinavir, ritonavir, atazanavir), seizure medicines (carbamazepine, topiramate, phenytoin), antibiotics, barbiturate (phenobarbital), acetaminophen, modafinil, dexamethasone, corticosteroids (hydrocortisone, prednisone), theophylline, warfarin, benzodiazepines (diazepam, lorazepam). Interaction between two medications does not always mean that you must stop taking one of them. Tell your doctor about all prescription, over-the-counter, and herbal medications that you are taking.
Missed dose
Missing a pill increases your risk of becoming pregnant. If you miss one 'active' tablet, take two pills on the day that you remember and than use as scheduled. If you forgot two 'active' tablets in first or second week of treatment, take two pills daily for two days in a row. Then as scheduled. In this case,use a back-up birth control method. If you miss two 'active' pills in a row during third week, or if you miss three pills in a row during any of the first three weeks, need to start a new pack. If you did not use three 'active' tablets during any of the first three weeks, start a new pack on the same day as if you are a First Day starter.
If you skipped two or more tablets, you may not have a monthlies during this month. If you miss a period for two months in a row you might be pregnant. If you miss any 'reminder' tablets, pitch the missed tablets away and return to your schedule.
Overdose
If you think you have overdosed the medicine seek emergency medical help at once. The overdose symptoms are vaginal bleeding, nausea, vomiting.
Storage
Store the medicine at room temperature between 68-77 degrees F (20-25 degrees C) away from light and moisture. Do not store the drugs in the bathroom. Keep all drugs away from reach of children and pets.
Note
The information presented at the site has a general character. Note please this information cannot be used for self-treatment and self diagnosis. You should consult with your doctor or health care adviser regarding any specific instructions of your condition. The information is reliable, but we concede it could contain mistakes. We are not responsible for any direct, indirect, special or other damage caused by use of this information on the site and also for consequences of self-treatment.
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