Safely Buy Seasonale ( Ethinyl Estradiol/Levonorgestrel ) from Canada Prescriptions Plus.

Indications

Seasonale is a birth control medication used to prevent pregnancy.

This contraceptive medication combines ethinyl estradiol and levonorgestrel, two types of female hormones which prevent ovulation. Seasonale also affects your uterine lining and cervical mucus to make it harder for sperm to penetrate and for a fertilized egg to attach to your uterus.

Dosage and Administration

The dose and administration regimen of Seasonale that is prescribed will vary depending on the individual. Follow all your healthcare provider’s instructions and read packaging labels carefully to ensure the best results. Use Seasonale exactly as prescribed; do not change your dosing on your own.

• Swallow tablet whole
• Take at the same time each day, 24 hours apart
• Do not skip doses
• Use non-hormonal contraception for the first 7 days of treatment or if you have missed a dose
• Take after dinner or before bed to reduce gastrointestinal effects if you experience any
• Store at room temperature away from children and pets

How to start taking Seasonale if not previously using hormonal contraception:

• Take your first dose the first Sunday after beginning your menstrual period
• Take one pink active 0.03/0.15mg tablet each day for 84 consecutive days
• Use an additional non-hormonal form of contraception for the first week of treatment to prevent pregnancy until Seasonale is in your system
• After your final active tablet, take one white inactive tablet each day for 7 days
• You should have your period during the 7 days you take the inactive pills
• After your last inactive pill, start a new pack regardless of whether you have your period or not

Switching to Seasonale from an oral contraceptive:

• Start your 91-day cycle of Seasonale treatment the same day that you would start a new pack of your previous oral contraceptive

Switching from other hormonal contraceptive methods:

• Start your pack of Seasonale the day that you would next apply your transdermal patch
• Start Seasonale the day that you would next insert your vaginal ring
• Start treatment with Seasonale the day that your next injection would have been scheduled
• Take your first active Seasonale tablet the day that your intrauterine contraceptive (IUD) is removed
• If your IUD is not removed on your first day of your menstrual cycle, use additional non-hormonal forms of contraception for the first 7 days of using Seasonale
• Start Seasonale the day that you have an implant removed

Starting Seasonale after having an abortion or miscarriage:

• If you have an abortion or miscarriage in your first trimester, you can start Seasonale immediately.
• Use non-hormonal contraception for the first 7 days if you do not start Seasonale within 5 days after your pregnancy is terminated.
• Wait 4 weeks before starting Seasonale after having a miscarriage or abortion in your second trimester and use non-hormonal contraception for the first 7 days

Starting Seasonale after childbirth:

• Wait 4 weeks after delivery to start taking Seasonale to reduce your risk of thromboembolic disease
• Follow administration instructions outlined for women who are not currently using hormonal contraception

Side Effects

Seasonale may cause some side effects to develop while altering your hormones, uterine lining, and cervical mucus.

Speak with your healthcare provider for more information relating to any symptoms that you may encounter when taking this contraceptive medication.

Common Seasonale side effects:

• Mild nausea, vomiting, bloating, stomach cramps (especially when you first start Seasonale)
• Tender or swollen breasts, nipple discharge
• Freckles or darkening facial skin, increased hair growth, mild loss of hair on your scalp
• Changes in weight or appearance
• Problems with contact lenses
• Vaginal itching or discharge
• Changes in menstruation, decreased sex drive

Serious Side Effects

Some more serious adverse effects may occur when taking Seasonale. Stop using this hormonal contraceptive medication and contact your doctor if you experience any of the following symptoms:

• Sudden numbness or weakness, sudden severe headache
• Slurred speech, problems with vision or balance
• Sudden cough, wheezing, rapid breathing, coughing blood
• Pain, swelling, warmth, or redness in one or both legs
• Chest pain or heaviness, chest pain spreading to your jaw or shoulder
• Nausea, sweating, general ill-feeling
• Change in pattern or severity of migraine headaches
• Liver problems (nausea, upper stomach pain, itching, tiredness, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-coloured stools, jaundice)
• Unscheduled bleeding or spotting (occurring during the 84 days of taking active pills)
• Swelling of hands, ankles, or feet
• Breast lump
• Symptoms of depression (insomnia, weakness, tiredness, mood changes)

Allergic Reactions

Do not take Seasonale if you are allergic to any of the tablet ingredients. Stop using this medication and contact your doctor right away if you notice any signs of an allergic reaction.

Seasonale allergy symptoms may include:

• Hives
• Difficulty breathing
• Swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat

Cautions

Do not smoke cigarettes while taking Seasonale to avoid increasing your risk of experiencing serious cardiovascular events.

Do not take Seasonale if you have any of the following:

• High risk of arterial or venous thrombotic disease
• Liver tumors or disease
• Undiagnosed abnormal uterine bleeding
• Breast cancer or other estrogen or progestin sensitive cancers
• Diabetic issues affecting your eyes or kidneys
• If you are pregnant

Stop taking Seasonale at least 4 weeks before and for 2 weeks following a major surgery to reduce your risk of having a heart issue.

If you miss taking a tablet or multiple tablets, your risk of becoming pregnant will increase. Use an additional form of non-hormonal contraceptive if you have sex after missing any Seasonale tablets.

Some drugs can impact the effectiveness of Seasonale, including the following:

• Antibiotics
• Hepatitis C medications
• Medicines for HIV/AIDS
• Seizure medications
• Barbiturate sedatives

Seasonale may increase your risk of developing blood clots, stroke, or heart attacks, especially during the first year of treatment. Your risk may be greater if you have high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol levels, or if you are overweight.

To ensure your safety when taking Seasonale, tell your healthcare provider if you have ever had any of the following:

• Heart disease, high blood pressure
• Prone to having blood clots
• High cholesterol or triglyceride levels
• Depression
• Diabetes
• Underactive thyroid
• Gallbladder disease
• Seizures
• Migraine headaches
• Irregular menstrual cycles
• Fibrocystic breast disease, lumps, nodules, or an abnormal mammogram

Do not use Seasonale if you are breastfeeding. The medication can pass into your breast milk and may cause harm to your nursing baby. Seasonale may also affect your ability to produce milk.

Seasonale will not protect you from developing any sexually transmitted infections, including HIV and AIDS. Condoms are the form of protection against these conditions.

Some drugs may interact with Seasonale and cause adverse reactions. Tell your healthcare provider about all the medications you take, including over the counter medicines, but especially any of the following:

• Anticonvulsants (carbamazepine, ethosuximide, phenobarbital, and others)
• Antibiotics (ampicillin, cotrimoxazole, penicillin, and others)
• Rifampin
• Antifungal medications (griseofulvin and more)
• Cholesterol medications
• Sedatives (benzodiazepines, barbiturates, chloral hydrate, and more)
• Antacid medicines

Form and Strength

This hormonal contraceptive medication is available in tablet form.

Seasonale tablet strengths:

• 0.03mg ethinyl estradiol / 0.15mg levonorgestrel

The 0.03/0.15mg Seasonale tablets are available in single packets containing 91 tablets.

FAQ

How long before Seasonale is effective?

Seasonale tablets are easily absorbed into your system, but they take some time to become fully effective at preventing pregnancy. For the first 7 days of taking this medication, especially if you have not taken hormonal contraception before, you should use additional non-hormonal methods of contraception.

Do you have to take Seasonale at the same time every day?

The time of day in which you take your doses of Seasonale will not affect the medications efficacy, but it is very important that you take your doses 24 hours apart. If you wait longer than 24 hours to take your doses, or miss doses, your chances of getting pregnant will increase.

Resources:

1. https://www.drugs.com/seasonale.html
2. https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2017/021544s009s010lbl.pdf
3. https://pdf.hres.ca/dpd_pm/00053306.PDF
4. https://www.healthlinkbc.ca/medications/levonorgestrelethinyl-estradiol-13-week-contraceptive-oral