 Duofem is an emergency contraceptive product that prevents the starting of a pregnancy. It contains levonorgestrel, a synthetic progestin, which is also a component of some contraceptive pills. The amount of hormone in one Duofem tablet corresponds to that gained from a month\'s dose of minipills.
The product is used when condom use or other contraception has failed or when no contraception has been used during intercourse. If pregnancy has already started or starts in spite of emergency contraception, Duofem does not harm the fetus. Duofem is not an abortion pill.
The product can be used by women from 18 years of age up to menopause, with certain limitations.
Oral contraceptives will work to prevent pregnancy or treat acne only as long as they are taken regularly. Continue to take oral contraceptives every day even if you are spotting or bleeding, have an upset stomach, or do not think that you are likely to become pregnant. Do not stop taking oral contraceptives without talking to your doctor.
Oral contraceptives are also sometimes used to treat heavy or irregular menstruation and endometriosis [a condition in which the type of tissue that lines the uterus (womb) grows in other areas of the body and causes pain, heavy or irregular menstruation (periods), and other symptoms].Talk to your doctor about the risks of using this medication for your condition.
Special precautions
Before taking oral contraceptives,
- Tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to estrogen, progestin, or any other medications.
- Tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, and nutritional supplements you are taking. Be sure to mention any of the following: acetaminophen (APAP, Tylenol); antibiotics such as ampicillin (Principen),clarithromycin (Biaxin),erythromycin (E.E.S., E-Mycin, Erythrocin),isoniazid (INH, Nydrazid), metronidazole (Flagyl), rifabutin (Mycobutin), rifampin (Rifadin, Rimactane), tetracycline (Sumycin), and troleandomycin (TAO); ; anticoagulants ('blood thinners') such as warfarin (Coumadin); antifungals such as griseofulvin (Fulvicin, Grifulvin, Grisactin), itraconazole (Sporanox) and ketoconazole (Nizoral); atorvastatin (Lipitor); clofibrate (Atromid-S); cyclosporine (Neoral, Sandimmune); danazol (Danocrine); delavirdine (Rescriptor);diltiazem (Cardizem, Dilacor, Tiazac);fluoxetine (Prozac, Sarafem); HIV protease inhibitors such as indinavir (Crixivan) and ritonavir (Norvir);
- Tell your doctor what herbal products you are taking, especially St. John's wort.
- tell your doctor if you have ever had yellowing of the skin or eyes during pregnancy or while you were using another type of hormonal contraceptive (birth control pills, patches, rings, implants or injections) and if you have recently had surgery or have been unable to move around for any reason. Also tell your doctor if you have or have ever had problems with your breasts such as lumps, an abnormal mammogram (breast x-ray), or fibrocystic breast disease (swollen, tender breasts and/or breast lumps that are not cancer); high blood pressure; high blood cholesterol and fats; diabetes ; asthma; stroke or mini stroke; blood clots in your legs, lungs, or eyes; thrombophilia (a condition in which the blood clots easily); toxemia (high blood pressure during pregnancy); heart attack; chest pain; coronary artery disease (clogged blood vessels leading to the heart); seizures; migraine headaches; depression; liver, heart, gallbladder, or kidney disease; adrenal insufficiency (for Yasmin); jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes); unexplained vaginal bleeding; and excessive weight gain and fluid retention (bloating) during the menstrual cycle.
- Do not take oral contraceptives if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding. If you become pregnant while taking oral contraceptives, call your doctor immediately.
- If you miss periods while you are taking oral contraceptives, you may be pregnant. If you are using a 91 tablet packet and you miss one period, call your doctor. If you are using another type of packet according to the directions and you miss one period you may continue to take your tablets. However, if you have not taken your tablets as directed and you miss one period or if you have taken your tablets as directed and you miss two periods, call your doctor and use another method of birth control until you have a pregnancy test.
- If you are having surgery, including dental surgery, tell the doctor or dentist that you are taking oral contraceptives.
- Tell your doctor and pharmacist if you wear contact lenses. If you notice changes in vision or ability to wear your lenses while taking hormone replacement therapy, see an eye doctor.
Side effects
Oral contraceptives may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:
- upset stomach
- vomiting
- stomach cramps or bloating
- diarrhea
- constipation
- gingivitis (swelling of the gum tissue)
- increased or decreased appetite
- weight gain or weight loss
- brown or black skin patches
- acne
- hair growth in unusual places
- bleeding or spotting between menstrual periods
- changes in menstrual flow
- painful or missed periods
- breast tenderness, enlargement, or discharge
- difficulty wearing contact lenses
- swelling, redness, irritation, burning, or itching of the vagina
- white vaginal discharge
Some side effects can be serious. The following symptoms are uncommon, but if you experience any of them, call your doctor immediately:
- severe headache
- severe vomiting
- speech problems
- dizziness or faintness
- weakness or numbness of an arm or leg
- crushing chest pain or chest heaviness
- coughing up blood
- shortness of breath
- pain, warmth, or heaviness in the back of the lower leg
- partial or complete loss of vision
- double vision
- bulging eyes
- severe stomach pain
- yellowing of the skin or eyes
- loss of appetite
- extreme tiredness, weakness, or lack of energy
- fever
- dark-colored urine
- light-colored stool
- swelling of the hands, feet, ankles or lower legs
- depression, especially if you also have trouble sleeping, tiredness, loss of energy, or other mood changes
- unusual bleeding
- rash
Oral contraceptives may cause other side effects. Call your doctor if you have any unusual problems while taking this medication.
Overdose
In case of overdose, call your local poison control center. If the victim has collapsed or is not breathing, call local emergency services.
Symptoms of overdose may include:
- upset stomach
- vaginal bleeding
Keep all appointments with your doctor and the laboratory.
Do not let anyone else take your medication.
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