Precautions While Using This Medicine

It is very important that your health care professional check your progress at regular visits . This will allow your dosage to be adjusted to your changing needs, and will allow any unwanted effects to be detected. These visits are usually every 12 months when you are taking progestins by mouth for birth control.

• If you are receiving the medroxyprogesterone injection for contraception, a physical exam is needed only every 12 months, but you need an injection every 3 months (13 weeks).
• If you are using the levonorgestrel implants, your doctor will want to check the area where they were placed within 30 days after they are put into or removed from your arm. After that, a visit every 12 months usually is all that is needed.

Progestins may cause some people to become dizzy . Make sure you know how you react to this medicine before you drive, use machines, or do anything else that could be dangerous if you are not alert.

Vaginal bleeding of various amounts may occur between your regular menstrual periods during the first 3 months of use. This is not unusual and does not mean you should stop the medicine. This is sometimes called spotting when the bleeding is slight, or breakthrough bleeding when it is heavier. If this occurs, continue on your regular dosing schedule. Check with your doctor :

• If vaginal bleeding continues for an unusually long time.
• If your menstrual period has not started within 45 days of your last period.

Missed menstrual periods may occur. If you suspect a pregnancy, you should call your doctor immediately .

If you are scheduled for any laboratory tests, tell your health care professional that you are taking a progestin. Progestins can change certain test results.

The following medicines might reduce the effectiveness of progestins for contraception:

• Aminoglutethimide (e.g., Cytadren)
• Carbamazepine (e.g., Tegretol)
• Phenobarbital
• Phenytoin (e.g., Dilantin)
• Rifabutin (e.g., Mycobutin)
• Rifampin (e.g., Rifadin)

If you vomit your oral progestin-only contraceptive for any reason within hours of taking it, do not take another dose. Return to your regular dosing schedule and use an additional back-up method of birth control for 48 hours.

If you are receiving levonorgestrel tablets for emergency contraception and vomiting occurs within 1 hour of taking either dose of the medicine, contact your physician to discuss whether the dose should be repeated.