Nordette
28 is an oral contraceptive. Oral contraceptives
are commonly known as 'the Pill'. Nordette pills
contain two active ingredients (levonorgestrel
and ethinyloestradiol) that can stop you from
beginning pregnant if taken correctly. They are
similar to hormones your body normally produces.
Nordette 28
(1 month supply)
$59.00
Nordette 28 (3 month supply)
$129.00
NORDETTE 28 DRUG INFO
IMPORTANT NOTE:
The following information is intended to supplement,
not substitute for, the expertise and judgment of your physician,
pharmacist or other healthcare professional. It should not
be construed to indicate that use of the drug is safe, appropriate,
or effective for you. Consult your healthcare professional
before using this drug.
ORAL CONTRACEPTIVES
WARNING: Smoking cigarettes
while using this medication increases your chance of having
heart problems. Do not smoke while using this medication.
The risk of heart problems increases with age (in women greater
than 35 years of age) and with frequent smoking (15 cigarettes
per day or greater).
USES: This medication is
used to prevent pregnancy or to regulate your menstrual cycle.
Certain brands of birth control pills may be used for treating
acne or as a "morning after" pill for emergency
contraception. Consult your doctor or pharmacist. Use of this
medication does not protect you or your partner against sexually
transmitted diseases (e.g., HIV, gonorrhea).
HOW TO USE: Take this medication
with food or immediately after a meal to prevent stomach upset.
Try to take this medication at the same time each day. This
may help you to remember to take it. Learn proper use of your
particular brand of medication. Follow your dosing schedule
carefully. Be sure to ask your doctor or pharmacist if you
have any questions. Use a supplemental form of birth control
during the first week of taking this medication since it takes
a while to be effective. Follow your doctor's directions exactly
if this drug is being used as a "morning after"
pill.
SIDE EFFECTS: This medication
may cause dizziness, headache, lightheadedness, stomach upset,
bloating, or nausea. If these effects persist or worsen, contact
your doctor. Notify your doctor if you experience: severe
depression, groin or calf pain, sudden severe headache, chest
pain, shortness of breath, lumps in the breast, weakness or
tingling in the arms or legs, yellowing of the eyes or skin.
If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your
doctor or pharmacist.
PRECAUTIONS: Before you take
this medication, tell your doctor your entire medical history,
including family medical history, especially: asthma, high
blood pressure, kidney disease, liver heart disease, stroke,
history of jaundice (yellowing skin/eyes) or high blood pressure
during pregnancy, excessive weight gain or fluid retention
during menstrual cycle, blood clots, heart attack, seizures,
migraine headaches, breast cancer, high blood level of cholesterol
or lipids (fats), diabetes, depression. Depending on strength,
this drug may cause a patchy, darkening of the skin on the
face (melasma). Higher strengths are more likely to cause
melasma. Sunlight may intensify this darkening and you may
need to avoid prolonged sun exposure and sunlamps. Consult
your doctor regarding use of sunscreens and protective clothing.
It may take a long time for you to become pregnant after you
stop taking birth control pills. Consult your doctor. Do not
smoke cigarettes. Birth-control pills slightly increase your
risk of strokes, blood clots, high blood pressure, heart attacks,
gallbladder disease, vision problems, and liver tumors. Cigarette
smoking (especially 15 or more cigarettes daily) and age (women
older than 35/smokers or 40/nonsmokers years of age) further
increase the risk of stroke, blood clots, high blood pressure
and heart attacks. Ask your pharmacist or doctor for a copy
of the patient labeling which explains these risks in more
detail. Consult your doctor for any questions, including possible
use in nonsmokers over 40 years of age. If you are near-sighted
or wear contact lenses, you may develop vision problems. Also,
your tolerance of the lenses may decrease. Contact your eye
doctor if these problems occur. Before having surgery, including
dental surgery, tell the doctor that you take birth control
pills. This drug must not be used during pregnancy. If you
become pregnant or think you may be pregnant, inform your
doctor immediately. This medication passes into breast milk.
This may affect milk production and may have harmful effects
on a nursing infant. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.
DRUG INTERACTIONS: Tell your
doctor what prescription and nonprescription drugs you are
taking. Drugs that may decrease the effectiveness of the pill
include: griseofulvin, many antibiotics (e.g., penicillins,
macrolides, tetracyclines, sulfas, cephalosporins), chloramphenicol,
many seizure medications (e.g., phenytoin, barbiturates, primidone,
carbamazepine), dapsone, rifamycins (e.g., rifampin), modafinil,
nevirapine, nelfinavir, ritonavir, St John's wort, troglitazone.
Ask your doctor if you should use additional birth control
methods while taking any of the drugs mentioned above while
taking birth control pills. Also tell your doctor if you use:
thyroid hormone drugs, certain benzodiazepines (e.g., diazepam,
chlordiazepoxide), prednisone-like drugs, certain antidepressants
(e.g., tricyclics), beta-blockers (e.g., metoprolol), "blood
thinners" (anticoagulants such as warfarin), insulin.
This product can affect the results of certain lab tests (e.g.,
thyroid). Inform all laboratory personnel that you use this
drug. Birth control pills may significantly intensify the
effects of alcohol. Consult your doctor or pharmacist about
this. Do not start or stop any medicine without doctor or
pharmacist approval.
OVERDOSE: If overdose is
suspected, contact your local poison control center or emergency
room immediately. Symptoms of overdose may include nausea
and vomiting. Females may experience vaginal bleeding.
NOTES: Do not allow anyone
else to take this medication. Keep all appointments with your
doctor and the laboratory. You should have a complete physical
examination, including blood pressure measurements, breast
and pelvic examinations, and a PAP test (for vaginal cancer),
at least once a year. Follow your doctor's instructions for
examining your own breasts, and report any lumps immediately.
A manufacturer's fact sheet about this drug should be dispensed
with each prescription. Read the information carefully. Ask
your doctor or pharmacist any questions you may have.
MISSED DOSE: Missed dose
advice differs and depends on the brand used, and the number
of doses missed. Refer to the product package information
for advice on missed doses. Ask your doctor or pharmacist
if you have any questions.
STORAGE: Store at room temperature
between 59 and 86 degrees F (between 15 and 30 degrees C)
away from moisture and sunlight. Do not store in the bathroom.
