Mircette
®
Chemical Name
: Ethinyl estradiol and Desogestrel
Uses
Mircette is a "biphasic" oral contraceptive pill.
This means that the hormones contained in the tablets are delivered
in two stages. Mircette contains 20 mcg of ethinyl
estradiol, an estrogen, and 150 mcg of desogestrel, a progestin.
The last seven tablets start with two days of "inactive" pills (placebos)
and 5 days of 10 mcg of ethinyl estradiol. Since Mircette
is a very low-dose oral contraceptive - it contains reduced amounts
of the hormone estrogen - it may help prevent side effects such
as nausea and breast tenderness.
This product
combines natural or synthetic estrogens and progestins, similar
to the natural sex hormones (estrogen and progesterone) produced
in a woman's body. Ethinyl estradiol is an estrogen and desogestrel
is a progestin. These products can prevent ovulation and pregnancy.
In general, a combination of estrogen and progestin works better
than a single-ingredient product. Ethinyl Estradiol/Desogestrel
tablets can also help regulate menstrual flow, treat acne or may
be used for other hormone related problems in females.
How to take
this medication
Most of the 28 Mircette tablets contain active
hormones. This product should be started on the first Sunday after
you start your period or on the first day of your period. Keep an
extra month's supply of your pills available to ensure that you
will not miss the first day of the next cycle.
Take Mircette
pills orally. Before you start taking these pills decide what is
a suitable time of day and always take them at the same time of
day and in the order directed. Swallow the pills with a drink of
water. Take with food to reduce stomach upset. Do not take more
often than directed.
Side Effects
Severe side effects are relatively rare in women who are healthy
and do not smoke while they are taking oral contraceptives. On average,
more women have problems due to complications from getting pregnant
than have problems with oral contraceptives. Many of the minor side
effects may go away as your body adjusts to the medicine. However,
the potential for severe side effects does exist and you may want
to discuss these with your health care provider.
The following
symptoms or side effects may be related to blood clots and require
immediate medical or emergency help: chest pain; coughing up blood;
dizziness or fainting spells; leg, arm or groin pain; severe or
sudden headaches; stomach pain (severe); sudden shortness of breath;
sudden loss of coordination, especially on one side of the body;
swelling of the hands, feet or ankles, or rapid weight gain; vision
or speech problems; weakness or numbness in the arms or legs, especially
on one side of the body.
Other serious
side effects are rare. Contact your health care provider as soon
as you can if the following side effects occur: breast tissue changes
or discharge; changes in vaginal bleeding during your period or
between your periods; headaches or migraines; increases in blood
sugar, especially if you have diabetes; increases in blood pressure,
especially if you are known to have high blood pressure; symptoms
of vaginal infection (itching, irritation or unusual discharge);
tenderness in the upper abdomen; vomiting; yellowing of the eyes
or skin.
Side effects
that usually do not require medical attention (report to your health
care provider if they continue or are bothersome): breakthrough
bleeding and spotting that continues beyond the 3 initial cycles
of pills; breast tenderness; mild stomach upset; mood changes, anxiety,
depression, frustration, anger, or emotional outbursts; increased
or decreased appetite; increased sensitivity to sun or ultraviolet
light; nausea; skin rash, acne, or brown spots on the skin; tiredness;
weight gain.
Precautions
Your prescriber needs to know if you have or ever had any of these
conditions: blood clots; blood sugar problems, like diabetes; cancer
of the breast, cervix, ovary, uterus, vagina, or unusual vaginal
bleeding that has not been evaluated by a health care professional;
depression; fibroids; gallbladder disease; heart or circulation
problems; high blood pressure; jaundice; liver disease; menstrual
problems; migraine headaches; tobacco smoker; stroke; an unusual
or allergic reaction to estrogen/progestin, other hormones, medicines,
foods, dyes, or preservatives; pregnant or trying to get pregnant;
breast-feeding.
Visit your health
care provider for regular checks on your progress. You should have
a complete check-up every 6 to 12 months. If you have any unusual
vaginal bleeding contact your prescriber or health care professional
for advice. If you miss a period, the possibility of pregnancy must
be considered. See your prescriber or health care provider as soon
as you can.
Use an additional
method of contraception during the first cycle that you take these
tablets. If you stop taking these tablets and want to get pregnant,
a return to normal ovulation can take some time. You may not return
to normal ovulation and fertility for 3 to 6 months. Discuss your
pregnancy plans with your health care provider.
If you are taking
oral contraceptives for the treatment of acne, hirsutism (male-like
hair growth), endometriosis or other hormone related problems, it
may take several months of continued treatment to notice improvement
in your symptoms or condition.
Tobacco smoking
increases the risk of getting a blood clot or having a stroke while
you are taking Mircette, especially if you are
more than 35 years old. You are strongly advised not to smoke.
Mircette,
like most other oral contraceptives, can increase your sensitivity
to the sun and you may burn more easily. Use sunscreen and protective
clothing during long periods outdoors. Tanning booths should be
used with caution.
If you wear
contact lenses and notice visual changes, or if the lenses begin
to feel uncomfortable, consult your eye care specialist.
In some women,
tenderness, swelling, or minor bleeding of the gums may occur. Notify
your dentist if this happens. Brushing and flossing your teeth regularly
may help limit this. See your dentist regularly and inform your
dentist of the medicines you are taking.
You may get
a vaginal yeast infection. If you have never had a yeast infection
before, see your prescriber or other health care provider to confirm
the problem. If you have had yeast infections in the past and are
comfortable with self-medicating the problem, get and use a nonprescription
medication to treat the yeast infection.
