Seasonale is the
extended-cycle birth control pill for the prevention
of pregnancy that reduces monthly periods to just 4
times a year. Seasonale is a 91-day oral
contraceptive regimen.
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
Seasonale.
COMMON BRAND NAME:
Seasonale.
SEASONALEUSES:
Seasonale
is the FDA-approved extended-cycle birth control pill for the
prevention of pregnancy that reduces your monthly periods to
just 4 times a year.
HOW TO USE
SEASONALE:
Take 1
pink tablet daily for 84 consecutive days. Follow with 7 days of
white inactive tablets. Begin taking
Seasonale
on the first Sunday after the onset of menstruation. If
menstruation begins on a Sunday, the first pink tablet is taken
that day. Withdrawal bleeding should occur during the 7 days
following discontinuation of pink active tablets.
SEASONALE
SIDE EFFECTS:Serious as well as minor side effects have
been reported with the use of hormonal contraceptives. Serious
risks include blood clots, stroke, and heart attack. Cigarette
smoking increases the risk of serious cardiovascular side
effects, especially in women over 35 years.
Seasonale
does not protect against HIV infection (AIDS) and other sexually
transmitted diseases.
SEASONALE
PRECAUTIONS: Seasonale is in the FDA pregnancy category X.
This means that Seasonale is known to cause birth defects in an
unborn baby. Hormonal changes during pregnancy can have very
serious negative effects on a developing baby. Do not
take Seasonale if you are pregnant or if you think you might be
pregnant.
SEASONALE
MISSED DOSE: If you miss
one dose, take it as soon as you remember or take two pills at
the time of your next regularly scheduled dose. There is little
likelihood that ovulation will occur. If you miss two tablets in
a row, take two tablets each for the next two regularly
scheduled doses (one missed tablet plus one regularly scheduled
tablet for 2 days in a row). There is an increased chance of
ovulation and unintended pregnancy. Use an additional form of
birth control until you have taken a pill for 7 days in a row.
If you miss three tablets in a row, do not remove the missed
tablets from the package, they will not be taken. Take the next
pill in the package for the current day. Continue to take one
pill per day until the cycle is completed. There is an increased
chance of ovulation and unintended pregnancy. Use an additional
form of birth control until you have taken a pill for 7 days in
a row. You may experience menstrual bleeding during the week
following the missed pills. If you miss any of the 7 white
inactive pills, they can be thrown away. Keep taking the
scheduled pills until the pack is finished. No back-up method of
birth control is needed.