Information About Mircette

How To Use
To achieve maximum contraceptive effectiveness, Mircette (desogestrel/ethinyl estradiol and ethinyl estradiol) Tablets must be taken exactly as directed and at intervals not exceeding 24 hours. Mircette may be initiated using either a Sunday start or a Day 1 start. If you do not understand these directions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explain them to you.

Precautions
Oral contraceptives should not be used in women who currently have the following conditions: thrombophlebitis or thromboembolic disorders, past history of deep vein thrombophlebitis or thromboembolic disorders, cerebral vascular or coronary artery disease, known or suspected carcinoma of the breast, carcinoma of the endometrium or other known or suspected estrogen-dependent neoplasia, undiagnosed abnormal genital bleeding, cholestatic jaundice of pregnancy or jaundice with prior pill use, hepatic adenomas of carcinomas, known or suspected pregnancy. Oral contraceptives may compound the effects of well-known risk factors, such as hypertension, diabetes, hyperlipidemias ,and obesity. In particular, some progestogens are known to decrease HDL cholesterol and cause glucose intolerance, while estrogens may create a state of hyperinsulinism. Oral contraceptives have been shown to increase blood pressure among users. Similar effects on risk factors have been associated with an increased risk of heart disease. Oral contraceptives must be used with caution in women with cardiovascular disease risk factors.

Side Effects
An increased risk of the following serious adverse reactions has been associated with the use of oral contraceptives: thrombophlebitis and venous thrombosis, arterial thromboembolism, pulmonary embolism, myocardial infarction, cerebral hemorrhage, cerebral thrombosis, hypertension, gallbladder disease, and hepatic adenomas or benign liver tumors. The following adverse reactions have been reported in patients receiving oral contraceptives and are believed to be drug-related: nausea, vomiting, gastrointestinal symptoms (such as abdominal cramps and bloating), change in menstrual flow, amenorrhea, temporary infertility after discontinuation of treatment, Edema Melasma which may persist, breast changes: tenderness, enlargement, secretion, Change in weight (increase or decrease), change in cervical erosion and secretion, diminution in lactation when given immediately postpartum, cholestatic jaundice, Migraine Rash (allergic), mental depression, reduced tolerance to carbohydrates, vaginal candidiasis, change in corneal curvature (steepening), intolerance to contact lenses, etc. The following adverse reactions have been reported in users of oral contraceptives and the association has been neither confirmed nor refuted: pre-menstrual syndrome, cataracts, changes in appetite, cystitis-like syndrome, headache, nervousness, dizziness, hirsutism, loss of scalp hair, erythema multiforme, erythema nodosum, hemorrhagic eruption, vaginitis, porphyria, impaired renal function, hemolytic uremic syndrome, acne, changes in libido, colitis, Budd-Chiari Syndrome, effects on menses (increased menstrual cycle regularity, decreased blood loss and decreased incidence of iron deficiency anemia, decreased incidence of dysmenorrhea), effects related to inhibition of ovulation (decreased incidence of functional ovarian cysts, decreased incidence of ectopic pregnancies).

Storage
Store Mircette at room temperature away from moisture and heat.