USES: This combination hormone medication is used to prevent pregnancy. It contains 2 hormones: drospirenone (a progestin) and ethinyl estradiol (an estrogen). It works mainly by preventing the release of an egg (ovulation) during your menstrual cycle. It also makes vaginal fluid thicker to help prevent sperm from reaching an egg (fertilization) and changes the lining of the uterus (womb) to prevent attachment of a fertilized egg. This product also contains a folate supplement (such as l-methylfolate, levomefolate). Folate is a B-vitamin that women of childbearing age use to help prevent spinal cord birth defects in an unborn baby. The folate supplement in this medication, along with a diet rich in folate, lowers this risk if you become pregnant while taking this drug or soon after you stop taking it. This medication also may be used to treat premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) or moderate acne if you have chosen to use birth control pills as your method of pregnancy prevention. Besides preventing pregnancy, birth control pills may make your periods more regular, and may decrease blood loss, painful periods, and the risk of ovarian cysts. Using this medication does not protect you or your partner against sexually transmitted diseases (such as HIV, gonorrhea, chlamydia).

How to use DROSPIRENONE/ETHINYL ESTRADIOL/FOLATE SUPPLEMENT 24/4 - ORAL

HOW TO USE: Read the Patient Information Leaflet provided by your pharmacist before you start taking this product 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 with or without food 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. 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 at a different time of the day than usual. If you have vomiting or diarrhea within 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, it is very important that you take this medication at the same time each day, 24 hours apart. Your pill pack contains 24 pills with active medication (hormones and folate). It also contains 4 reminder pills (without hormones, but with folate) at the end of the pack. Take one active pill (with hormones) once daily for 24 days in a row. After you have taken the last active pill, take one reminder pill (without hormones) once daily for 4 days in a row unless otherwise directed by your doctor. You should have your period usually within 3 days after you take the last active tablet in 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 patch, other birth control pills), take the first tablet in the pack on the first Sunday following the beginning of your menstrual period or on the first day of your period. If your period begins on a Sunday, begin taking this medication on that day. For the first cycle of use only, use an additional form of non-hormonal birth control (such as condoms, spermicide) for the first 7 days to prevent pregnancy until the medication has enough time to work. If you start on the first day of your period, you do not need to use back-up birth control the first week. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for information about how to switch from other forms of hormonal birth control (such as patch, other birth control pills) to this product. If any information is unclear, consult the Patient Information Leaflet or your doctor or pharmacist.