Ethinyl estradiol; Levonorgestrel oral tablets; Levomefolate tablets

What is this medication?

ETHINYL ESTRADIOL; LEVONORGESTREL (ETH in il es tra DYE ole; LEE voh nor jes trel) is an oral contraceptive (birth control pill). This medicine combines two types of female hormones, an estrogen and a progestin. It is used to prevent ovulation and pregnancy. This product also has levomefolate (lee voe ME FOE late), a B vitamin supplement that provides folic acid.

This medicine may be used for other purposes; ask your health care provider or pharmacist if you have questions.

COMMON BRAND NAME(S): Falessa

What should I tell my care team before I take this medication?

They need to know if you have any of these conditions:

• abnormal vaginal bleeding
• adrenal gland disease
• blood vessel disease or blood clots
• breast, cervical, endometrial, ovarian, liver, or uterine cancer
• cigarette smoker
• diabetes
• gallbladder disease
• heart disease or recent heart attack
• high blood pressure
• high cholesterol
• history of stroke
• kidney disease
• liver disease
• lupus
• migraine headaches
• thyroid disease
• an unusual or allergic reaction to estrogens, progestins, folates, other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives
• pregnant or trying to get pregnant
• breast-feeding

How should I use this medication?

Take this medicine by mouth. To reduce nausea, this medicine may be taken with food. Follow the directions on the prescription label. Take this medicine at the same time each day and in the order directed on the package. Do not take your medicine more often than directed.

A patient package insert for the product will be given with each prescription and refill. Read this sheet carefully each time. The sheet may change frequently.

Talk to your pediatrician regarding the use of this medicine in children. Special care may be needed. This medicine has been used in female children who have started having menstrual periods.

Overdosage: If you think you have taken too much of this medicine contact a poison control center or emergency room at once.

NOTE: This medicine is only for you. Do not share this medicine with others.

What if I miss a dose?

If you miss a dose, refer to the patient information sheet you received with your medicine for direction. If you miss more than one pill, this medicine may not be as effective and you may need to use another form of birth control.

What may interact with this medication?

Do not take this medicine with any of the following medications:

• aminoglutethimide
• amprenavir, fosamprenavir
• anastrozole
• bosentan
• dasabuvir; ombitasvir; paritaprevir; ritonavir
• exemestane
• letrozole
• metyrapone
• ombitasvir; paritaprevir; ritonavir
• testolactone

This medicine may also interact with the following medications:

• acetaminophen
• antibiotics or medicines for infections, especially rifampin, rifabutin, rifapentine, and griseofulvin, and possibly penicillins or tetracyclines
• antiviral medicines for HIV or AIDS
• aprepitant
• ascorbic acid (vitamin C)
• atorvastatin
• barbiturate medicines, such as phenobarbital
• bosentan
• carbamazepine
• caffeine
• clofibrate
• cyclosporine
• dantrolene
• doxercalciferol
• felbamate
• grapefruit juice
• hydrocortisone
• medicines for anxiety or sleeping problems, such as diazepam or temazepam
• medicines for diabetes, including pioglitazone
• mineral oil
• modafinil
• mycophenolate
• nefazodone
• oxcarbazepine
• phenytoin
• prednisolone
• rosuvastatin
• selegiline
• soy isoflavones supplements
• St. John's wort
• tamoxifen or raloxifene
• theophylline
• thyroid hormones
• topiramate
• warfarin

This list may not describe all possible interactions. Give your health care provider a list of all the medicines, herbs, non-prescription drugs, or dietary supplements you use. Also tell them if you smoke, drink alcohol, or use illegal drugs. Some items may interact with your medicine.

What should I watch for while using this medication?

Visit your doctor or health care professional for regular checks on your progress. You will need a regular breast and pelvic exam and Pap smear while on this medicine.

Use an additional method of contraception during the first cycle that you take these tablets.

If you have any reason to think you are pregnant, stop taking this medicine right away and contact your doctor or health care professional.

If you are taking this medicine for hormone related problems, it may take several cycles of use to see improvement in your condition.

Smoking increases the risk of getting a blood clot or having a stroke while you are taking birth control pills, especially if you are more than 35 years old. You are strongly advised not to smoke.

This medicine can make your body retain fluid, making your fingers, hands, or ankles swell. Your blood pressure can go up. Contact your doctor or health care professional if you feel you are retaining fluid.

This medicine can make you more sensitive to the sun. Keep out of the sun. If you cannot avoid being in the sun, wear protective clothing and use sunscreen. Do not use sun lamps or tanning beds/booths.

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.

If you are going to have elective surgery, you may need to stop taking this medicine before the surgery. Consult your health care professional for advice.

This medicine does not protect you against HIV infection (AIDS) or any other sexually transmitted diseases.

What side effects may I notice from receiving this medication?

Side effects that you should report to your doctor or health care professional as soon as possible:

• breast tissue changes or discharge
• changes in vaginal bleeding during your period or between your periods
• changes in vision
• chest pain
• confusion
• coughing up blood
• dizziness
• feeling faint or lightheaded, falls
• leg, arm or groin pain
• severe headaches or migraines
• shortness of breath
• speech problems
• stomach pain (severe)
• sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm or leg
• swelling in a leg
• symptoms of vaginal infection like itching, irritation or unusual discharge
• tenderness in the abdomen
• trouble speaking or understanding
• trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination
• vomiting
• yellowing of the eyes or skin

Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your doctor or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):

• breakthrough bleeding and spotting that continues beyond the 3 initial cycles of pills
• breast swelling, tenderness
• mood changes, anxiety, depression, frustration, anger, or emotional outbursts
• nausea
• skin rash, acne, or brown spots on the skin
• weight gain (slight)

This list may not describe all possible side effects. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Where should I keep my medication?

Keep out of the reach of children.

Store at room temperature between 15 and 30 degrees C (59 and 86 degrees F). Throw away any unused medicine after the expiration date.

NOTE: This sheet is a summary. It may not cover all possible information. If you have questions about this medicine, talk to your doctor, pharmacist, or health care provider.

Do you skip placebos for Camrese Lo?

You shouldn’t skip any pills. All pills in the packet contain hormones, or “active” ingredients, which means there are no placebos, or “inactive” pills. Inactive pills don’t contain hormones preventing pregnancy. You’ll need to take all pills for Camrese Lo as prescribed to prevent pregnancy.

With Camrese Lo, you take an orange pill containing estrogen and progestin for 84 straight days. Then, you take a yellow pill containing only estrogen for seven days. You should have bleeding during the seven days you take the yellow pill. You should start a new pack the day after you take the last yellow pill.

How long does it take for Camrese Lo to be effective?

You can start your oral contraception pill immediately. You’ll need to take the estrogen/progestin pills (orange pills) for seven days straight to prevent pregnancy.

You should use a backup form of birth control that doesn’t contain hormones, like condoms and spermicide, if you’re sexually active during the seven days it takes for the pills to protect you from pregnancy.

When do you ovulate on Camrese Lo?

You don’t ovulate on Camrese Lo. Like other forms of birth control, this medicine prevents pregnancy by preventing your ovaries from releasing an egg (ovulation). It also causes other changes that prevent pregnancy, like thickening your cervical mucus. This barrier makes it harder for sperm to reach (and fertilize) an egg.

Note: Intro and FAQ sections written and reviewed by Cleveland Clinic professionals.