Safely Buy Natazia ( estradiol valerate and estradiol valerate/dienogest ) from Canada Prescriptions Plus.

Indications

Natazia is a birth control pill that contains two hormones, estradiol valerate (estrogen) and dienogest (progestin). It is used to prevent pregnancy and may also be used to treat heavy menstrual bleeding that is not caused by other underlying conditions.

Use and Dosage

Read the Patient Information Leaflet provided by your pharmacist before you start taking this medication and each time you get a refill. The leaflet contains very important information on when to take your pills and what to do if you miss a dose. If you have any questions, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

Take this medication by mouth as directed by your doctor, usually once daily. Pick a time of day that is easy for you to remember and take your pill at the same time each day.

It is very important to continue taking this medication exactly as prescribed by your doctor. With certain brands of birth control pills, the amount of estrogen and progestin in each active tablet will vary at different times in the cycle. Follow the package instructions to find the first tablet, start with the first tablet in the pack, and take them in the correct order. Do not skip any doses. Pregnancy is more likely if you miss pills, start a new pack late, or take your pill 12 hours later than the usual time.

If you have vomiting or diarrhea within 3 to 4 hours after taking your tablet, read the Patient Information Leaflet section titled “What to Do if You Miss Tablets.” Follow the instructions as if you had missed your dose because vomiting/diarrhea can stop the tablet from working.

Taking this medication after your evening meal or at bedtime may help if you have stomach upset or nausea with the medication. You may choose to take this medication at another time of day that is easier for you to remember. No matter what dosing schedule you use, you must take this medication at the same time each day, 24 hours apart.

Your pill pack contains 26 pills with active medication. It also contains 2 reminder pills with no medication. Take one active pill (with hormones) once daily for 26 days in a row. After you have taken the last active pill, take one reminder pill once daily for 2 days in a row unless otherwise directed by your doctor. You should have your period during the fourth week of the cycle. After you have taken the last reminder tablet in the pack, start a new pack the next day even if your period is continuing or if you do not have your period. If you do not get your period, consult your doctor.

If this is the first time you are using this medication and you are not switching from another form of hormonal birth control (such as a patch, or other birth control pills), take the first tablet in the pack on the first day of your period. For the first cycle of use only, use an additional form of non-hormonal birth control (such as condoms, or spermicide) for the first 9 days to prevent pregnancy until the medication has enough time to work.

Ask your doctor or pharmacist for information about how to switch from other forms of hormonal birth control (such as patches, and other birth control pills) to this product. If any information is unclear, consult the Patient Information Leaflet or your doctor or pharmacist.

Side Effects

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction to Natazia: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Stop taking Natazia and call your doctor at once if you have:

• Signs of a stroke – sudden numbness or weakness (especially on one side of the body), sudden severe headache, slurred speech, or problems with vision or balance
• Signs of a blood clot – chest pain, sudden cough, wheezing, coughing up blood, or swelling or warmth in one or both legs
• Heart attack symptoms – chest pain or pressure, pain spreading to your jaw or shoulder, nausea, or sweating
• Liver problems – severe stomach pain, fever, tired feeling, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-coloured stools, or jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes)
• Sudden and severe pelvic pain
• A change in the pattern or severity of migraine headaches
• Swelling in your hands, ankles, or feet
• A breast lump
• Symptoms of depression – sleep problems, weakness, tired feeling, or mood changes

Common Natazia side effects may include:

• Light vaginal bleeding or spotting
• Nausea (especially during the first few months of taking this medicine) or vomiting
• Breast pain or tenderness
• Weight gain
• Problems with contact lenses

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur.

Cautions

Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to estradiol or dienogest; or to any estrogens (such as mestranol) or any progestins (such as norethindrone, desogestrel); or if you have any other allergies. This product may contain inactive ingredients, which can cause allergic reactions or other problems. Talk to your pharmacist for more details.

Before using this product, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of: blood clots (for example, in the legs, eyes, and lungs), blood clotting disorders (such as protein C or protein S deficiency), high blood pressure, abnormal breast exam, cancer (especially endometrial or breast cancer), high cholesterol or triglyceride (blood fat) levels, depression, diabetes, family or personal history of a certain swelling disorder (angioedema), gallbladder problems, severe headaches/migraine, heart problems (such as heart valve disease, irregular heartbeat, previous heart attack), history of yellowing eyes/skin (jaundice) during pregnancy or while using hormonal birth control (such as pills, patch), kidney disease, liver disease (including tumors), stroke, swelling (edema), thyroid problems, unexplained vaginal bleeding.

If you have diabetes, this medication may affect your blood sugar. Check your blood sugar regularly as directed and share the results with your doctor. Tell your doctor right away if you have symptoms of high blood sugar such as increased thirst/urination. Your doctor may need to adjust your diabetes medication, exercise program, or diet.

Tell your doctor if you just had or will be having surgery or if you will be confined to a bed or chair for a long time (such as on a long plane flight). These conditions increase your risk of getting blood clots, especially if you are using hormonal birth control. You may need to stop this medication for a time or take special precautions.

Before having surgery, tell your doctor or dentist about all the products you use (including prescription drugs, nonprescription drugs, and herbal products).

This medication may cause blotchy, dark areas on your face and skin (melasma). Sunlight may worsen this effect. Limit your time in the sun. Avoid tanning booths and sunlamps. Use sunscreen and wear protective clothing when outdoors.

If you are nearsighted or wear contact lenses, you may develop vision problems or trouble wearing your contact lenses. Contact your eye doctor if these problems occur.

It may take longer for you to become pregnant after you stop taking birth control pills. Consult your doctor.

This medication should not be used during pregnancy. If you become pregnant or think you may be pregnant, tell your doctor right away. If you have just given birth or had a pregnancy loss/abortion after the first 3 months, talk with your doctor about reliable forms of birth control, and find out when it is safe to start using birth control that contains a form of estrogen, such as this medication.

This medication may decrease breast milk production. A small amount passes into breast milk and may have undesirable effects on a nursing infant. Consult your doctor before breastfeeding.

Form and Strengths

Natazia is available in the following form and strengths:

• Natazia Tablet:
  • 3mg
  • 1mg
  • 2mg/2mg

FAQ

What happens if I miss a dose?

Follow the patient instructions provided with your medicine. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you do not understand these instructions. Missing a pill by more than 12 hours increases your risk of becoming pregnant. Vomiting or having diarrhea within 4 hours after taking a pill is the same as missing that dose.

If you miss one pill:

• During Days 1 through 17, take the missed pill as soon as you remember, then take your next pill at the usual time. Use backup birth control for at least 9 days.
• During Days 18 through 24, throw out the rest of the pack and start a new one the same day. Take the Day 1 pill from the new pack and then take one pill per day in the order directed on the pack. Use backup birth control for at least 9 days.
• During Days 25 through 28, take the missed pill as soon as you remember, then take your next pill at the usual time. You do not need backup birth control if you miss one pill during Days 25 through 28.

If you miss two pills:

• During Days 1 through 16, skip the missed pills and start with the pill that corresponds to the day you remember you missed your doses. Then take one pill per day in the order directed on the pack. Use your backup birth control for at least 9 days.
• During Days 17 through 24, throw out the rest of the pack and start a new one the same day. Take the Day 3 pill from the new pack and then take one pill per day in the order directed on the pack. Use your backup birth control for at least 9 days.
• During Days 25 through 28, throw out the rest of the pack. Start a new pack on the same day or on the day you would normally start a new pack. Take one pill per day in the order directed on the pack. No backup birth control is needed.

If you miss a period for two months in a row, call your doctor because you might be pregnant.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention. Overdose symptoms may include nausea, vomiting, and vaginal bleeding.

What to avoid?

Do not smoke while taking this medicine, especially if you are older than 35 years of age.

Natazia will not protect you from sexually transmitted diseases – including HIV and AIDS. Using a condom is the only way to protect you from these diseases.

Resources:

1. https://www.webmd.com/drugs/2/drug-154309/natazia-oral/details
2. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2993067/
3. https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=02c91fba-9c47-43ef-ac78-e82369798834
4. https://www.drugs.com/natazia.html#side-effects