Ethinylestradiol and Drospirenone are combined in this medicine. Ethinylestradiol + Drospirenone is a combination oral contraceptive (birth control pill). This medicine is used to prevent pregnancy in women of reproductive age.
This medicine may be used to treat other conditions as decided by your doctor.
Take Ethinylestradiol + Drospirenone exactly as directed by your doctor or according to the instructions on the label. Do not take more or less than instructed by your doctor.
You may take this medicine with or without food. Try to take it at the same time each day.
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember and take the next one at your normal dosing schedule.
The time management of your missed dose may vary based on the dosage of your medicine. Ask your doctor or pharmacist on how to properly manage your missed dose.
If you often forget to take your medicine, let your doctor and pharmacist know.
Alert your doctor if you have the following conditions:
- presence or risk factors of blood clot formation e.g. deep vein thrombosis (blood clots in your leg veins), pulmonary embolism (blood clots in a lung artery), recent heart attack or stroke, uncontrolled high blood pressure, migraine, obesity, smoking (especially if you are more than 35 years old)
- unexplained vaginal bleeding
- current or history of cancer of the breast or genital organs
- liver disease e.g. hepatitis, liver tumours
- kidney disease
as Ethinylestradiol + Drospirenone may not be suitable for you.
Do not take this medicine if you are pregnant or if you think that you are pregnant. If you become pregnant while being treated with this medicine, alert your doctor immediately. Ethinylestradiol + Drospirenone may cause harm to your unborn child.
Do not take this medicine with medicines used to treat hepatitis C e.g. ombitasvir, paritaprevir, ritonavir, dasabuvir.
Inform your doctor if you have the following conditions:
- risk factors for heart disease e.g. high cholesterol or triglyceride levels
- depression
- diabetes
- history of chloasma gravidarum (discolouration of the skin especially on the face or neck during pregnancy)
- systemic lupus erythematosus (an autoimmune disease that causes inflammation)
- history of cholestasis of pregnancy (decrease in bile flow in the gallbladder causing severe itching)
- inflammation of the bowels
- thyroid disease
- hereditary angioedema (inherited disorder characterised by swelling of the limbs, or face or airways)
Let your doctor know if you are breastfeeding.
This medicine does not lower the risk of getting HIV infection or any other sexually transmitted diseases. Ensure that you use proper precautions to avoid getting these diseases.
If you are going to have an operation, including minor surgery and dental work, inform your doctor or dentist that you are taking this medicine.
If you are going for certain laboratory tests (e.g. liver, kidney, thyroid function test), inform your doctor that you are taking Ethinylestradiol + Drospirenone.
Keep your appointments with your doctor. Your doctor needs to monitor your condition and check your response to the medication regularly.
- Pregnancy tests must be done before treatment to know if this medicine is suited for you to take.
- Your blood pressure may rise to unsafe levels without you noticing it. Monitor your blood pressure before and yearly during treatment.
- Regular monitoring of signs of depression, changes in vision and unusual bleeding may also be needed.
- Certain blood tests may also be done while you are being treated with this medicine.
Your doctor will advise you about how often you need to have these tests.
Ethinylestradiol + Drospirenone may cause any of the following side effects: headache, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, stomach pain, indigestion, stomach wind, back pain, weakness, unusual sweating, muscle cramps, itching, rash, weight gain, dry eye, sore eyes, vaginal bleeding between periods, absence of menstrual period, vaginal discharge, thrush; mood changes, decreased sex drive, breast pain and tenderness.
Some side effects may need immediate medical help. Alert your doctor quickly if you experience any of the following:
- pain, swelling or skin discolouration of a limb
- breathlessness, chest pain, irregular heartbeat
- blurring or loss of vision
- yellowing of the skin or eyes, stomach pain
- changes in the nipple, lumps in the breast, dimpling of the skin
- rashes, swelling of the face, eyes or mouth
- golden brown pigment patches on the skin especially on the face and neck
- swelling of the face or limbs
Inform your doctor if any of these side effects do not go away or are severe, or if you experience other side effects.
Do not take Ethinylestradiol + Drospirenone with medicines used to treat hepatitis C e.g. ombitasvir, paritaprevir, ritonavir, and dasabuvir.
Inform your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking or using any of these medicines:
- medicines for epilepsy (fits or seizures) e.g. primidone, phenytoin, carbamazepine, oxcarbazepine, lamotrigine
- medicines for tuberculosis or TB e.g. rifampicin
- medicines for fungal infection e.g. griseofulvin, ketoconazole, itraconazole
- NSAIDs (medicines for pain and inflammation) e.g. ibuprofen, naproxen
- diuretics or “water pills” e.g. spironolactone
- medicine used in organ transplant or certain immune diseases e.g. ciclosporin
- muscle relaxant e.g. tizanidine
- asthma medicine e.g. theophylline
- certain antibiotics e.g. clarithromycin, erythromycin
- medicine for heart disease e.g. diltiazem, verapamil
- St. John’s wort (herbal medicine)
- certain supplements e.g. potassium supplements, vitamin C
This list does not include all medicines that may interact with Ethinylestradiol + Drospirenone.
Always notify your doctor and pharmacist if you are taking any other medicines, including herbal tonics such as traditional Chinese medicine, supplements and medicines that you buy without a prescription.
Avoid alcohol and excessive consumption of grapefruit or grapefruit juice (more than 1 litre a day).
Store in a cool, dry place away from the reach of children.
Medicines must not be used past the expiry date.
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