Precautions
Special Precautions to follow while taking Birth Control Pills
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Before taking oral contraceptives,
- tell your doctor if you are allergic to estrogen, progestin,
or any other medications.
- tell your doctor what prescription and nonprescription medications,
vitamins, and nutritional supplements you are taking.
- tell your doctor what herbal products you are taking, especially
St. John's wort.
- tell your doctor if you have or have ever had breast lumps or
cancer; endometrial cancer; high blood pressure; high blood cholesterol
and fats; diabetes (high blood sugar); asthma; stroke; blood clots;
toxemia (high blood pressure during pregnancy); heart attack; epilepsy
(seizures); migraine headaches; depression; liver, heart, gallbladder,
or kidney disease; adrenal insufficiency (for Yasmin); jaundice
(yellowing of the skin or eyes); vaginal bleeding between menstrual
periods; and excessive weight gain and fluid retention (bloating)
during the menstrual cycle.
- do not take oral contraceptives if you are pregnant, plan to
become pregnant, or are breast-feeding. If you become pregnant
while taking oral contraceptives, call your doctor immediately.
- if you are having surgery, including dental surgery, tell the
doctor or dentist that you are taking oral contraceptives.
- tell your doctor and pharmacist if you wear contact lenses. If
you notice changes in vision or ability to wear your lenses while
taking hormone replacement therapy, see an eye doctor.
Is it safe to smoke when taking birth control pills?
Smoking
increases your risk of all kinds of illnesses including heart attacks
and strokes. Birth control pills that contain estrogen can also increase
the risk of blood clots. Young women rarely have heart attacks, so
the risk of complications is very small, but doctors usually advise
smokers over 35 to quit smoking while taking these pills.
What should you do if you forget a dose?
If you miss doses of your oral contraceptive, you may be at risk
for becoming pregnant. Instructions about missed doses are different
for different products. Carefully read the instructions in the manufacturer's
information for the patient. If you have any questions, call your
doctor or pharmacist. If you miss pills, you may need to use a backup
method of birth control for 7 days or until the end of the cycle.
What side effects can this medication
cause?
Oral contraceptives may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if
any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:
- upset stomach
- vomiting
- stomach cramps or bloating
- diarrhea
- constipation
- gingivitis (swelling of the gum tissue)
- weight gain or weight loss
- brown or black skin patches
- acne
- swelling of the hands, feet, or lower legs (fluid retention)
- hair growth in unusual places
- bleeding or spotting between menstrual periods
- changes in menstrual flow
- painful or missed periods
- breast tenderness, enlargement, or discharge
- difficulty wearing contact lenses
Some side effects can be seious. The following symptoms are uncommon,
but if you experience any of them, call your doctor immediately:
- severe headache
- shortness of breath
- severe vomiting
- partial or complete loss of vision
- double vision
- speech problems
- dizziness or faintness
- weakness or numbness of an arm or leg
- crushing chest pain or chest heaviness
- coughing up blood
- calf pain
- severe stomach pain
- yellowing of the skin or eyes
- severe depression
- unusual bleeding
- loss of appetite
- extreme tiredness, weakness, or lack of energy
- fever
- dark-colored urine
- light-colored stool
- rash
Oral contraceptives may increase the risk of developing endometrial
and breast cancer, gallbladder disease, liver tumors, heart attack,
stroke, and blood clots. Talk to your doctor about the risks of taking
this medication.
Oral contraceptives may cause other side effects. Call your doctor
if you have any unusual problems while taking this medication.
What storage conditions are needed for this medicine?
Keep this medication in the packet it came in, tightly closed, and
out of reach of children. Store it at room temperature and away from
excess heat and moisture (not in the bathroom). Throw away any medication
that is outdated or no longer needed. Talk to your pharmacist about
the proper disposal of your medication.
What should be done in case of emergency/overdose?
In
case of overdose, call your local poison control center or contact
your doctor immediately.
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