Azalia Dosage/Direction for Use

Recommended Dosage: Posology: To achieve contraceptive effectiveness, Azalia must be used as directed (see "How to take Azalia" and "How to start Azalia").
Special populations: Renal impairment: No clinical studies have been performed in patients with renal impairment.
Hepatic impairment: No clinical studies have been performed in patients with hepatic insufficiency. Since the metabolism of steroid hormones might be impaired in patients with severe hepatic disease, the use of Azalia in these women is not indicated as long as liver function values have not returned to normal.
Paediatric population: The safety and efficacy of Azalia in adolescents below 18 years has not been established. No data are available.
Method of administration: Oral use.
How to take Azalia: The tablets must be taken in the order directed on the package every day at about the same time of the day with some liquid as needed. One tablet is to be taken daily for 28 consecutive days. Each subsequent pack is started immediately after finishing the previous pack.
How to start Azalia: No preceding hormonal contraceptive use [in the past month]: Tablet-taking has to start on day 1 of the woman's natural cycle (day 1 is the first day of her menstrual bleeding). Starting on days 2-5 is allowed, but during the first cycle a barrier method is recommended for the first 7 days of tablet-taking.
Changing from a combined hormonal contraceptive (combined oral contraceptive (COC), vaginal ring, or transdermal patch): The woman should start with Azalia preferably on the day after the last active tablet (the last tablet containing the active substances) of her previous COC or on the day of removal of her vaginal ring or transdermal patch. In these cases, the use of an additional contraceptive is not necessary.
The woman may also start at the latest on the day following the usual tablet-free, patch-free, ring-free, or placebo tablet interval of her previous combined hormonal contraceptive, but during the first 7 days of tablet-taking an additional barrier method is recommended.
Changing from a progestogen-only-method (minipill, injection, implant or from a progestogen-releasing intrauterine system (IUS)): The woman may switch any day from the minipill (from an implant or the IUS on the day of its removal, from an injectable when the next injection would be due); an additional contraceptive method is not necessary.
Following first-trimester abortion: After first-trimester abortion it is recommended to start immediately; an additional contraceptive method is not necessary.
Following delivery or second-trimester abortion: The woman should be advised to start at day 21 to 28 after delivery or second-trimester abortion.
When starting later, she should be advised to additionally use a barrier method for the first 7 days of tablet-taking. However, if intercourse has already occurred, pregnancy should be excluded before the actual start of Azalia use or the women has to wait for her first menstrual period.
For breastfeeding women: see "Statement on usage during pregnancy and lactation" under Use in Pregnancy & Lactation.
Management of missed tablet: Contraceptive protection may be reduced if more than 36 hours have elapsed between two tablets. If the user is less than 12 hours late in taking any tablet, the missed tablet should be taken as soon as it is remembered and the next tablet should be taken at the usual time. If she is more than 12 hours late, she should follow the same advice but also use an additional method of contraception for the next 7 days.
If tablets were missed in the very first week of use and intercourse took place in the week before the tablets were missed, the possibility of a pregnancy should be considered.
Advice in case of gastrointestinal disturbances: In case of severe gastrointestinal disturbance, absorption may not be complete and additional contraceptive measures should be taken.
If vomiting occurs within 3-4 hours after tablet-taking, absorption may not be complete. In such an event, the advice concerning missed tablets, as given in previously mentioned "Management of missed tablet" is applicable.
Treatment surveillance: Before prescription, a thorough case history should be taken and a thorough gynaecological examination is recommended to exclude pregnancy. Bleeding disturbances, such as oligomenorrhoea and amenorrhoea should be investigated before prescription. The interval between check-ups depends on the circumstances in each individual case. If the prescribed product may conceivably influence latent or manifest disease, the control examinations should be timed accordingly.
Despite the fact that Azalia is taken regularly, bleeding disturbances may occur. If bleeding is very frequent and irregular, another contraceptive method should be considered. If the symptoms persist, an organic cause should be ruled out.
Management of amenorrhoea during treatment depends on whether or not the tablets have been taken in accordance with the instructions and may include a pregnancy test.
The treatment should be stopped if a pregnancy occurs.
Women should be advised that Azalia does not protect against HIV (AIDS) and other sexually transmitted diseases.
Route of Administration: Oral use.