Consumer Medicine Information (CMI) summary
The
full CMI on the next page has more details. If you are worried about using this medicine,
speak to your doctor or pharmacist.
1. Why am I using Seasonique?
Seasonique contains the active ingredients Levonorgestrel and Ethinylestradiol. Seasonique
is used to prevent pregnancy.
2. What should I know before I use Seasonique?
Do not use if you have ever had an allergic reaction to Seasonique or any of the ingredients
listed at the end of the CMI.
Talk to your doctor if you have any other medical conditions, take any other medicines,
or are pregnant or plan to become pregnant or are breastfeeding.
3. What if I am taking other medicines?
Some medicines may interfere with Seasonique and affect how it works.
4. How do I use Seasonique?
The daily dosing regimen should start with the first tablet (#1) of Month 1 blister.
Take one tablet about the same time every day. Tablet taking is continuous for 91
days. You may take the tablets with or without food, and if necessary with a little
liquid in the order shown at the blister
5. What should I know while using Seasonique?
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Things you should do
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Remind any doctor, dentist or pharmacist you visit that you are using Seasonique.
If you become pregnant while taking Seasonique, see your doctor immediately.
Use of Seasonique is generally not advisable when a woman is breast- feeding. If you
want to take the pill while you are breast-feeding you should contact your doctor.
If you are about to have any blood tests, tell your doctor you are taking Seasonique.
Have regular checkups from your doctor, including a Pap smear.
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Things you should not do
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Do not stop taking Seasonique without checking with your doctor.
Do not take Seasonique to treat any other complaints unless your doctor tells you
to.
Do not give your medicine to anyone else even if they have the same condition as you.
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Driving or using machines
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Be careful before you drive or use any machines or tools until you know how Seasonique
affects you.
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Looking after your medicine
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Keep your tablets in a cool, dry place where the temperature stays below 30°C and
is away from light.
Keep your tablets in the blister and foil pouch until it is time to take them.
Keep it where young children cannot reach it.
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6. Are there any side effects?
Tell your doctor or pharmacist as soon as possible if you do not feel well while you
are taking Seasonique.
All medicines can have side effects. Sometimes they are serious, but most of the time
they are not. You may need medical treatment if you get some of the side effects.
Active ingredient(s):
Levonorgestrel and Ethinylestradiol
Full Consumer Medicine Information (CMI)
This leaflet provides important information about using Seasonique. You should also speak to your doctor or pharmacist if you would like further information
or if you have any concerns or questions about using Seasonique.
Where to find information in this leaflet:
1. Why am I using Seasonique?
Seasonique contains the active ingredients levonorgestrel and ethinylestradiol.
Seasonique is a combined oral contraceptive (COC), commonly known as a 'birth control
pill' or 'the Pill'.
Seasonique is used to prevent pregnancy.
It is an extended-dosing cycle taken continuously for 91 days. This means whilst taking
Seasonique you may not have your normal periods for up to 3 months (equivalent to
1 period every 3 months).
When taken correctly Seasonique prevents pregnancy in several ways:
it inhibits the egg release by stopping it maturing
it changes the cervical mucus consistency making it difficult for the sperm to reach
the egg
it changes the lining of the uterus making it less suitable for implantation
When the Pill is taken correctly by women under close observation in clinical trials,
it is more than 99% effective in preventing pregnancy. However, in real life the failure
rate may increase if tablets are missed or taken incorrectly.
Like all other oral contraceptives Seasonique does not protect against HIV and other
sexually transmitted infections (STIs). To protect yourself against STIs you need
to use additional barrier contraceptives (e.g., condoms).
Ask your doctor if you have any questions about why this medicine has been prescribed
to you.
Your doctor may have prescribed it for another purpose.
This medicine is only available with a doctor's prescription.
2. What should I know before I use Seasonique?
Warnings
Do not use Seasonique if:
you are allergic to ethinylestradiol or levonorgestrel, or any of the ingredients
listed at the end of this leaflet.
Always check the ingredients to make sure you can use this medicine.
You are allergic to any other similar medicines (such as other oral contraceptives).
Some symptoms of an allergic reaction may include:
shortness of breath
wheezing or difficulty breathing
swelling of the face, lips, tongue or other parts of the body
rash, itching or hives on the skin
Do not take Seasonique if you have had or are at risk of having:
deep vein thrombosis (DVT) – a blood clot in the blood vessels of the leg
pulmonary embolism (PE) – a blood clot in the lungs
venous thromboembolism (VTE) – a blood clot in the veins and heart
arterial thromboembolism (ATE) – a blood clot in the arteries
a blood clot in other parts of the body
heart valve or heart rhythm disorders that may be associated with the formation of
blood clots
heart attack or stroke
chest pain (angina pectoris)
high blood pressure which is uncontrolled
some severe types of headache or migraine, including migraine accompanied by visual
disturbances, weakness, speech disability or numbness in any part of your body
a tumour that may grow under the influence of sex hormones (e.g. of the breast or
genital organs)
diabetes with blood vessel damage
breast cancer or cancer of the lining of the womb, cervix or vagina, or you think
you have these conditions
unexplained vaginal bleeding
liver tumour or liver disease (e.g. hepatitis and/or elevated liver enzymes)
inflammation of the pancreas, which is associated with very high blood levels of triglycerides
(fatty substances)
yellowing of the whites of the eyes or of the skin (jaundice) during pregnancy or
during previous use of an oral contraceptive
high blood levels of cholesterol or triglycerides
sickle cell anaemia
changes in vision, such as blurring.
If you are not certain whether these may apply to you, or you are worried by anything
in this list, tell your doctor.
Do not take this medicine in association with the herbal remedy St John's Wort.
Check with your doctor if you:
have any other medical conditions
take any medicines for any other condition
During treatment, you may be at risk of developing certain side effects. It is important
you understand these risks and how to monitor for them. See additional information
under Section
6. Are there any side effects?
Pregnancy and breastfeeding
Check with your doctor if you are pregnant or intend to become pregnant.
Do not take this medicine if you are pregnant or you think you are pregnant.
Pregnancy must be excluded before you start taking Seasonique.
Talk to your doctor if you are breastfeeding or intend to breastfeed.
Children
Do not give this medicine to a child.
Menopause
Do not take this medicine if you have already experienced menopause.
Before you start to take Seasonique
You must have a thorough medical check-up, including a Pap smear, breast check, blood
pressure check and urine test.
Tell your doctor if you are allergic to any foods, dyes, preservatives or any other
medicines.
Tell your doctor if you smoke.
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking, have recently taken or might take
any other medicines.
Oral contraceptives increase your risk of having a stroke or heart attack. The risk
of serious side effects on the heart and blood vessels is even greater if you smoke
and take oral contraceptives. The risk increases with age and with heavy smoking (15
or more cigarettes per day), especially in women older than 35 years. If you take
Seasonique, you should not smoke.
The use of any combined hormonal contraceptive (CHC) increases the risk of VTE compared
with no use. The VTE risk is highest in the first ever year of use. There is some
evidence that the risk is increased when a CHC is re-started after a break in use
of four weeks or more.
Tell your doctor (or go to the Emergency Department immediately) if VTE symptoms develop
Symptoms can include:
swelling of the leg and /or foot or along a vein in the leg
pain or tenderness in the leg which may be felt only when standing or walking
increased warmth in the affected leg; red or discoloured skin on the leg
sudden onset of unexplained shortness of breath or rapid breathing
sudden coughing
sharp or sudden severe chest pain
severe light headedness or dizziness
sudden, severe or prolonged headache with no known cause
rapid or irregular heartbeat
sudden blurred vision or loss of sight in one or both eyes
There is some evidence that the use of CHCs may be associated with an increased risk
of ATE.
Tell your doctor (or go to the Emergency Department immediately) if ATE symptoms develop.
Symptoms can include:
sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm or leg, especially on one side of the
body
sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination
sudden confusion, trouble speaking or understanding
sudden blurred vision or loss of sight in one or both eyes
sudden, severe or prolonged headache with no known cause
loss of consciousness or fainting with or without seizure
pain, discomfort, pressure, heaviness, sensation of squeezing or fullness in the chest,
arm or below the breastbone
discomfort radiating to the back, jaw, throat, arm, stomach
feeling of being full, having indigestion or choking
sweating, nausea, vomiting or dizziness;
extreme weakness, anxiety, or shortness of breath;
rapid or irregular heartbeats.
Tell your doctor if you have any other health problems, especially:
breast lumps, abnormal breast X- ray or mammogram
diabetes
heart disease
high cholesterol or blood fats
high blood pressure, a history of high blood pressure or high blood pressure during
pregnancy
migraine or other headaches
epilepsy
depression
gallbladder disease
fluid retention or kidney disease
asthma
fibroids
yellowing of the whites of the eyes or skin (jaundice) during pregnancy or during
previous oral contraceptive use
If you experience symptoms of angioedema such as swollen face, tongue and/or throat
and/or difficulty swallowing or hives potentially with difficulty breathing contact
a doctor immediately. Products containing estrogens may cause or worsen the symptoms
of hereditary and acquired angioedema.
chloasma (yellowish-brown patches on the skin, particularly the face
hepatitis or elevated liver enzymes
If you have any of these conditions you should have regular check-ups with your doctor
to make sure that taking Seasonique is not making the conditions worse.
Tell your doctor if anyone in your family has had blood clots in the deep veins of
the legs, a stroke or heart attack or you have any of the following conditions.
obesity
recent surgery or trauma
recently had a baby
lost a baby in the second trimester
confined to bed rest for long periods.
Some women have an increased chance of blood clots due to factors such as age, family
history of VTE, high body weight and smoking.
Women assessed by their doctor as being at increased risk of VTE should not use Seasonique.
The risk of developing blood clots in the deep veins of your legs, which can break
away and block a blood vessel elsewhere in your body, are increased if you have any
of these conditions and use an oral contraceptive. Blood clots are a rare occurrence
and can develop whether or not you are taking an oral contraceptive. They can also
happen during pregnancy. The risk of having a blood clot is higher in oral contraceptive
users than in non-users, but not as high as during pregnancy or just after having
a baby.
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Risk of developing a blood clot in a year
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Women who are not using a combined hormonal pill and are not pregnant
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About 2 out of 10,000 women
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Women using a combined hormonal contraceptive pill containing levonorgestrel, norethisterone or norgestimate
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About 5-7 out of 10,000 women
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Women using Seasonique
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About 5-15 out of 10,000 women
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VTE with any combined hormonal method of contraception is much less common than VTE
in pregnancy and the period immediately after having a baby.
Pills containing levonorgestrel (such as Seasonique) or norethisterone appear to have
lower VTE risk.
The risk of VTE with the COC is greatest for products containing over 50 micrograms
of ethinylestradiol. There is less risk for products containing less than 35 micrograms
of ethinylestradiol such as Seasonique. It is not known how Seasonique, with its 91-day
cycle, influences the occurrence of such events in comparison to other levonorgestrel
containing COCs, which are based on a 28-day cycle.
If you are at risk of prolonged immobilisation, due to major surgery or, any surgery
to the legs or pelvis or major trauma, you should discuss this with your doctor. It
is recommended to discontinue the use of Seasonique and not resume until two weeks
after complete remobilisation. Another method of contraception should be used during
this time to avoid unintentional pregnancy.
You should discuss this with your doctor before discontinuing the use of Seasonique.
Tell your doctor if you plan to become pregnant or are breastfeeding.
Your doctor can discuss the risks and benefits involved with you.
If you have not told your doctor about any of the above, tell him/ her before you
start taking Seasonique.
3. What if I am taking other medicines?
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking any other medicines, including any
medicines, vitamins or supplements that you buy without a prescription from your pharmacy,
supermarket or health food shop.
Some medicines may be affected by Seasonique. Some medicines may interfere with Seasonique and affect how it works. You may need different amounts of your medicines, or you may need to take different
medicines.
Your doctor will advise you.
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking any of the following:
rifampicin and rifabutin for the treatment of tuberculosis
antibiotics such as ampicillin, other penicillins and tetracyclines
anti-fungal agents such as griseofulvin
medicines for epilepsy such as phenytoin, primidone, carbamazepine and topiramate,
phenobarbitone
ritonavir for the treatment of HIV infection
products used to treat hepatitis such as those containing ombitasvir, paritaprevir,
dasabuvir glecaprevir/ pibrentasvir and sofosbuvir/ velpatasvir/ voxilaprevir as these
products may cause increases in liver function blood test results (increase in ALT
liver enzyme)
modafinil used to treat excessive daytime sleepiness
St. John's Wort, an ingredient in many medicines you can buy without a prescription
from a pharmacy, health food shop or supermarket
corticosteroids such as dexamethasone.
While you are taking any of these medicines and for the next 7 days after stopping
them, you must also use an additional non-hormonal method of contraception (such as
condoms or a diaphragm, but not the rhythm or temperature methods).
If you take rifampicin and some other medicines, you may need to use additional non-hormonal
contraception for four weeks after finishing the course of treatment.
Concomitant use with products containing ombitasvir, paritaprevir, ritonavir or dasabuvir
with or without ribavirin may increase liver enzymes.
If you are taking or begin taking these medicines while taking Seasonique, you must
switch to an alternative method of contraception (e.g. progestogen-only contraception
or non-hormonal methods) prior to commencing therapy.
Seasonique can be restarted 2 weeks following completion of treatment with this combination
regimen.
Ask your doctor or pharmacist about how long you need to use additional non-hormonal
contraception. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking any of the following:
atorvastatin used to treat high cholesterol
indinavir for the treatment of HIV infection
anti-fungal agents such as itraconazole and fluconazole
paracetamol and ascorbic acid (Vitamin C).
cyclosporin used to prevent organ rejection
theophyllines used for asthma and other breathing difficulties
corticosteroids
lamotrigine used for seizures
If you have not told your doctor or pharmacist about any of the above, tell them before
you start taking Seasonique.
Your doctor and pharmacist have more information on medicines to be careful with or
avoid while you are taking this medicine.
Check with your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure about what medicines, vitamins
or supplements you are taking and if these affect Seasonique.
4. How do I use Seasonique?
Follow all directions given to you by your doctor or pharmacist carefully.
These directions may differ from the information contained in this leaflet.
Each Seasonique pack consists of 84 pink tablets of 150 micrograms levonorgestrel
and 30 micrograms ethinylestradiol and 7 white tablets containing 10 micrograms of
ethinylestradiol.
If you do not understand the instructions on the label, ask your doctor or pharmacist
for help.
How much to take
The daily dosing regimen should start with the first tablet (#1) of Month 1 blister.
Once you have taken all the tablets from the Month 1 blister move onto the Month 2
blister starting with tablet #29.
Once you have taken all the tablets from the Month 2 blister move onto the Month 3
blister starting with tablet #57.
Tablet taking is continuous for 91 days.
Take one tablet about the same time every day.
Follow the instructions provided and use Seasonique until your doctor tells you to
stop.
You may take the tablets with or without food, and if necessary with a little liquid
in the order shown at the blister.
Preparation of the pack
To help you keep track, there are 7 weekday sticker strips marked with the 7 days
of the week. Choose the week sticker that starts with the day you begin taking the
tablets. For example, if you start on a Wednesday, use the week sticker that starts
with "WED". Stick the week sticker along the top of the Seasonique blister where it
reads "Place week sticker here", so that the first day is above the tablet marked
"1". There is now a day indicated above every tablet and you can see whether you have
taken a certain pill. The arrows show the order you are to take the pills.
Usually, so-called withdrawal bleeding starts when you are taking white tablets. Once
you have taken the last white tablet, you should start with the following Seasonique
pack, whether your bleeding has stopped or not. This means that you should start every
pack on the same day of the week, and that the withdrawal bleed should occur on the
same days each time. If you use Seasonique in this manner, you are protected against
pregnancy during the whole 91 days. For continued protection against pregnancy make
sure you have a new pack of Seasonique ready to start.
Do not confuse the tablets.
One pink tablet containing levonorgestrel and ethinylestradiol is taken daily for
84 consecutive days, followed by one white ethinylestradiol tablet for 7 days.
When to take Seasonique
You must take Seasonique every day, regardless of how often you have sex.
The tablets must be taken every day at about the same time, if necessary, with a little
liquid, in the order shown on the blister. One tablet is to be taken daily for 91
consecutive days.
If you are concerned about this, please speak to your doctor or pharmacist.
Starting a hormonal contraceptive for the first time
To start taking Seasonique follow these steps:
1. On the first day of your menstrual bleed, take a pink tablet containing levonorgestrel
and ethinylestradiol.
You may also begin on day 2-5 of the cycle, but then you must use extra protective
measures (for example, a condom) for the first 7 days.
2. One pink tablet should be taken daily for 84 consecutive days.
3. One white tablet is taken for 7 consecutive days.
4. A scheduled 'withdrawal' bleed should occur during the 7 days that the white tablets
are taken.
Starting the next pack
Each subsequent 91-day cycle should be started without interruption on the same day
of the week as you began your first dose of Seasonique, following the same schedule.
Switching from a different combined oral contraceptive, vaginal ring, or transdermal
patch
Follow the instructions below carefully.
When changing from a different combined oral contraceptive:
Follow the advice of your doctor. You should start with Seasonique on the day after
the last active tablet (the last tablet containing the active substances) of your
previous COC.
When changing from a vaginal ring or transdermal patch to Seasonique
Follow the advice of your doctor. You should start using Seasonique on the day of
removal but at the latest when the next application would have been due.
Switching from a progestogen-only contraceptive
You may switch any day from the progestogen-only pill (from an implant or the IUD
on the day of its removal, from an injectable when the next injection would be due).
In all of these cases you must use a barrier method of contraception (e.g., a condom)
for the first 7 days of tablet- taking.
After having a miscarriage or abortion
Follow the advice of your doctor.
After having a baby
If you have just had a baby, talk to your doctor before you start taking Seasonique.
How long to take Seasonique
Continue taking your medicine for as long as your doctor tells you.
Your doctor may prescribe Seasonique for long periods, until you no longer need or
want contraception.
If you are not sure how long you should be taking Seasonique, ask your doctor.
If you forget to use Seasonique
Seasonique should be used regularly at the same time each day. If you miss your dose
at the usual time:
White tablets:
If you forget any of the white tablets (last 7 tablets in the Month 3 blister), this
has no effect on the reliability of Seasonique. Do not take the forgotten white tablet(s)
and continue with the next tablet at the usual time.
Pink tablets:
If you miss a pink tablet, depending on the day of the cycle on which the tablet has
been missed, you may need to take additional contraceptive precautions, for example
a barrier method such as a condom.
Take the pink tablets according to the following principles:
If you are less than 12 hours late when taking a tablet, the protection against pregnancy
is not reduced. Take the tablet as soon as you remember and then continue taking the
tablets again at the usual time.
If you are more than 12 hours late taking a tablet, the protection against pregnancy
may be reduced. The greater the number of tablets you have forgotten the greater is
the risk of becoming pregnant. There is a particularly high risk of becoming pregnant
if you miss pink tablets at the beginning of the Month 1 blister. Therefore, you should
follow the rules given below.
One pink tablet forgotten
One pink tablet forgotten between days 1-7
Take the tablet as soon as you remember even if this means taking two tablets at the
same time.
Continue taking the following tablets at the usual time. Use additional contraceptive
precautions for the following 7 days e.g., a barrier method such as a condom. If you
have had sex in the week before forgetting the tablet, there is a possibility of pregnancy.
So contact your doctor immediately.
One pink tablet forgotten between days 8-84
Take the tablet as soon as you remember even if this means taking two tablets at the
same time.
Continue taking the following tablets at the usual time. The protection against pregnancy
is not reduced and you do not need to take extra contraceptive precautions.
More than one pink tablet forgotten in this pack
Days 1-7
If two pink tablets are missed, take two tablets as soon as you remember and an additional
two on the next day. Continue taking the following tablets at the usual time.
If 3 or more pink tablets are missed, do not take the forgotten tablets and continue
taking the following tablets at the usual time. You may experience bleeding during
the week following the missed tablets.
In any case use additional contraceptive precautions for the following 7 days e.g.,
a barrier method such as a condom. If you have had sex in the week before forgetting
tablets, there is a possibility of pregnancy. So contact your doctor immediately.
Days 8-84
If two pink tablets are missed, take two tablets as soon as you remember and an additional
two on the next day. Continue taking the following tablets at the usual time. Use
additional contraceptive precautions for the following 7 days e.g., a barrier method
such as a condom.
If 3 or more pink tablets are missed, do not take the forgotten tablets and continue
taking the following tablets at the usual time. You may experience bleeding during
the week following the missed tablets. Use additional contraceptive precautions for
the following 7 days e.g., a barrier method such as a condom. If you have had sex
during the days of missed tablets, there is a possibility of pregnancy. So contact
your doctor immediately.
If you have forgotten any of the pink tablets, and you have no bleeding during week
13, you may be pregnant. Contact your doctor before you start the next pack.
If you vomit or have diarrhoea after taking Seasonique
If you vomit within 3-4 hours of taking a tablet or you have severe diarrhoea, there
is a risk that the active substances in the pill are not fully absorbed into your
body. The situation is similar to if you forget a tablet. After vomiting or diarrhoea,
you must take another tablet as soon as possible. The advice given under "If you forget
to take your tablets" should be followed.
If you don't want to change your normal tablet-taking pattern, take the extra pink
tablet from the last row in the Month 3 blister.
If you use too much Seasonique
If you think that you have used too much Seasonique, you may need urgent medical attention.
You should immediately:
phone the Poisons Information Centre
(by calling
13 11 26), or
contact your doctor, or
go to the Emergency Department at your nearest hospital.
You should do this even if there are no signs of discomfort or poisoning.
Symptoms of an overdose may include:
feeling sick or vomiting
dizziness
feeling sleepy or tired
women may also experience menstrual bleeding.
5. What should I know while using Seasonique?
Things you should do
Tell any other doctors, dentists and pharmacists who are treating you that you are
taking Seasonique.
If you are about to start taking any new medicines, tell the doctor or pharmacist
that you are taking Seasonique.
If you become pregnant while taking Seasonique, see your doctor immediately.
Use of Seasonique is generally not advisable when a woman is breast- feeding. If you
want to take the pill while you are breast-feeding, you should contact your doctor.
If you are about to have any blood tests, tell your doctor you are taking Seasonique.
Have regular checkups from your doctor, including a Pap smear.
Oral contraceptives should not be prescribed for longer than one year without your
doctor carrying out a check-up. Your doctor will advise you how often you need a Pap
smear. A Pap smear can detect abnormal cells lining the cervix. Sometimes abnormal
cells can progress to cervical cancer. The most important risk factor for cervical
cancer is persistent human papillomavirus (HPV) infection. However, cervical cancer
has been reported to occur more often in women using an oral contraceptive for a long
time. This finding may not be caused by the oral contraceptive but may be related
to sexual behaviour and other reasons.
Perform regular breast self-examination.
Risk factors for the development of breast cancer include increasing age, family history,
obesity, never having had a baby, and late age for first full term pregnancy. Breast
cancer has also been found slightly more often in women who use oral contraceptives
than in women of the same age who do not use them. This slight increase in the number
of breast cancer cases gradually disappears during the course of the 10 years after
stopping use of oral contraceptives. It is not known whether the oral contraceptive
causes the difference. It may be that the women were examined more often, so that
the breast cancer was noticed earlier.
If you are concerned about contracting a sexually transmitted disease (STD), ask your
partner to wear a condom when having sexual intercourse with you.
Seasonique will not protect you from HIV-AIDS or any other sexually transmitted diseases
(STDs) such as chlamydia, genital herpes, genital warts, gonorrhoea, hepatitis B,
human papilloma virus and syphilis. To help protect yourself from STDs, you need to
use a barrier contraceptive such as a condom.
Tell your doctor you are using Seasonique at least 4 weeks before any planned hospitalisation
or surgery. Your doctor may tell you to stop taking Seasonique several weeks before
surgery or at the time of immobilisation. Your doctor will tell you when you can start
taking Seasonique after you are back on your feet.
To avoid pregnancy during this time you must use a non-hormonal method of contraception
such as condoms or a diaphragm.
Bleeding between periods
When you take Seasonique, which has a 91-day extended dosing cycle, you should expect
to have 4 scheduled periods per year (bleeding when you are taking the 7 white pills).
Each period is likely to last about 3 days.
During the first few months that you are taking Seasonique, you may have unexpected
bleeding. This bleeding or spotting tends to decrease with time. Do not stop taking
Seasonique because of this bleeding or spotting. If the spotting continues for more
than 7 consecutive days or if the bleeding is heavy, contact your doctor.
Things you should not do
Do not take Seasonique to treat any other complaints unless your doctor tells you
to.
Do not give your medicine to anyone else even if they have the same condition as you.
Do not stop taking Seasonique without checking with your doctor.
If you stop taking Seasonique or do not take a tablet every day, without using another
form of contraception, you may become pregnant.
Driving or using machines
Be careful before you drive or use any machines or tools until you know how Seasonique
affects you.
Seasonique may cause dizziness in some people.
Drinking alcohol
Tell your doctor if you drink alcohol.
Looking after your medicine
Keep your tablets in the blister in the foil pouch until it is time to take them.
Once opened, the product should be stored in the original packaging inside the carton.
If you take the tablets out of the blister they may not keep well.
Follow the instructions on the carton and the foil pouch on how to take care of your
medicine properly.
Store it in a cool dry place away from moisture, heat, or sunlight; for example, do
not store it:
in the bathroom or near a sink, or
in the car or on window sills.
Keep it where young children cannot reach it.
Getting rid of any unwanted medicine
If you no longer need to use this medicine or it is out of date, take it to any pharmacy
for safe disposal.
Do not use this medicine after the expiry date.
6. Are there any side effects?
All medicines can have side effects. If you do experience any side effects, most of
them are minor and temporary. However, some side effects may need medical attention.
See the information below and, if you need to, ask your doctor or pharmacist if you
have any further questions about side effects.
Less serious side effects
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Less serious side effects
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What to do
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Changes to your reproductive system:
changes in bleeding patterns, including breakthrough bleeding/ spotting
painful periods
missed periods, but if you have not taken Seasonique as directed you should check
whether you are pregnant
changes in mucus from the vagina
changes in the cervix
vaginal thrush (candida)
breast pain, tenderness, enlargement, possible milk secretion
changes in sex drive
Difficulty thinking or working because of:
nausea or vomiting
abdominal pain, cramps or bloating
mood changes, including depression and/or worsening of existing depression
headache, including migraines
nervousness
dizziness
Changes to the skin or hair, such as:
swelling of the hands, ankles or feet
acne
rash
darkening of the skin, which may persist after stopping your medicine
loss of scalp hair
increase in body hair
Other side effects such as:
contact lenses becoming uncomfortable to wear
weight change (increase or decrease)
changes in appetite
increases in liver enzymes (transaminase elevation)
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Speak to your doctor if you have any of these less serious side effects and they worry
you.
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Serious side effects
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Serious side effects
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What to do
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Serious side effects or worsening of conditions that you may already have:
chorea (involuntary muscle spasm)
porphyria
systemic lupus erythematosus (Lupus)
varicose veins
gallbladder disease
angioedema (swelling of the face, lips, mouth, tongue or throat, difficulty swallowing
or hives potentially with difficulty breathing (see also section 'What should I know
before I use Seasonique').
Chest Pain:
sharp chest pain, coughing of blood, or sudden shortness of breath
crushing chest pain or heaviness in the chest
Leg Pain:
pain in the calf muscle area
severe pain or swelling in one leg
Difficulty thinking or working because of:
sudden severe headache or vomiting, dizziness or fainting, disturbances of vision
or speech, weakness, or numbness in an arm or leg
sudden changes or loss of vision
rise in blood pressure. You may experience headache, blurred vision or palpitations.
Sometimes your blood pressure may rise without you experiencing any of these symptoms.
It is important to keep your routine doctor's appointments so that your blood pressure
can be checked.
Stomach and liver problems such as:
severe pain or tenderness in the stomach area
jaundice or a yellowing of the skin or eyeballs, often with fever, fatigue, loss of
appetite, dark coloured urine or light coloured bowel movements. Taking oral contraceptives
has been associated with an increased risk of having a benign liver tumour and, in
very rare cases, liver cancer. The risk appears to increase the longer oral contraceptives
are taken
bloody diarrhoea, abdominal pain or tenderness, fever, nausea or vomiting.
Suffering from migraines:
migraine headaches for the first time
more frequent migraines if you already suffer from them
Other side effects such as:
itchy rash
you are an epileptic and your fits become more frequent
swelling around the eyes or mouth
breast lumps
|
Call your doctor straight away, or go straight to the Emergency Department at your
nearest hospital if you notice any of these serious side effects.
|
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you notice anything else that may be making you
feel unwell.
Other side effects not listed here may occur in some people.
Reporting side effects
After you have received medical advice for any side effects you experience, you can
report side effects to the Therapeutic Goods Administration online at
www.tga.gov.au/reporting-problems . By reporting side effects, you can help provide more information on the safety of
this medicine.
Always make sure you speak to your doctor or pharmacist before you decide to stop
taking any of your medicines.
7. Product details
This medicine is only available with a doctor's prescription.
What Seasonique contains
Pink film-coated tablets
|
Active ingredients (main ingredients)
|
Levonorgestrel 150 micrograms
Ethinylestradiol 30 micrograms
|
|
Other ingredients
(inactive ingredients)
|
lactose
hypromellose
microcrystalline cellulose
magnesium stearate
titanium dioxide
macrogol 400
polysorbate 80
|
|
Colouring agents
|
Allura Red AC
Brilliant Blue FCF
|
White film-coated tablets
|
Active ingredient (main ingredient)
|
Ethinylestradiol 10 micrograms
|
|
Other ingredients
(inactive ingredients)
|
lactose
polacrilin potassium
microcrystalline cellulose
magnesium stearate
titanium dioxide
polydextrose
hypromellose
triacetin
macrogol 8000
|
Do not take this medicine if you are allergic to any of these ingredients.
Seasonique does not contain gluten or tartrazine.
What Seasonique looks like
Each Seasonique pack contains 3 blisters in total: 2 blisters each holding 28 pink
tablets (Month 1 and Month 2) and 1 blister holding 35 tablets in total - 28 pink
tablets and 7 white tablets (Month 3). Each blister is placed inside a foil pouch.
The pink tablets contain 150 micrograms levonorgestrel and 30 micrograms ethinylestradiol.
The white tablets contain 10 micrograms ethinylestradiol.
The pink tablet is a round, biconvex film-coated tablet, around 5.7 mm in diameter,
embossed with "172" on one side and "T" on the other side.
The white tablet is a round, biconvex film-coated tablet, around 5.7 mm in diameter,
embossed with "173" on one side and "T" on the other side.
AUST R 238384
Who distributes Seasonique
Theramex Australia Pty Ltd
Level 22, 60 Margaret Street,
Sydney NSW 2000
1800 THERAMEX or 1800 843 726
This leaflet was prepared in December 2024.
® Registered Trademark