About Seasonale

Seasonale is a medication which contains female hormone combinations, used for the prevention of ovulation. It also causes a change in the makeup of cervical mucus and uterine lining, for purposes of contraception.

Uses or Indications

Seasonale is primarily used as a preventive measure against pregnancy. Take note, however, that the drug does not provide protection against the transmission of AIDS or HIV, along with other sexually-transmitted diseases, including hepatitis B, Chlamydia, syphilis, genital herpes, gonorrhea, and genital warts.

How to Use Seasonale

Take the medication while carefully following the directions of a doctor in order to achieve the drug`s potency. The 91-day contraceptive pills have three tray separations, containing 84 `active` pills, plus 7 `reminder` pills. These must be taken in a specific order to maintain the regular cycle, and the menstrual period should commence during the intake of the reminder pills. Each pill is taken daily, with intervals no more than twenty-four hours from each other. Irregular intake of the medication may result in failed contraception.

Possible Side Effects

Intake of Seasonale can cause a rise in blood pressure, an allergic reaction, one-sided numbness on the body; problems with balance, speech, and vision; swollen feet, ankles, and hands; and indications of depressions such as insomnia and mood swings. In such cases, discontinue intake and get immediate medical help. If these common adverse effects are experienced, maintain intake and consult with a physician: itching on the vaginal area; weight changes; tender, swollen, or painful breasts; dark spots on the facial skin; menstrual changes, or slight stomach cramps, nausea, bloating, and vomiting.

Drug Precautions

Women who are taking Seasonale pills for contraception are discouraged from smoking, particularly if they are above 35 years old; smoking may increase the chances of cardiac arrest, blood clots, and stroke as caused by contraceptive pills. The drug also may cause birth defects, if it is taken when successful conception is achieved. Pregnant women are strongly discouraged from intake. Patients who have recently given birth must wait for at least four weeks postpartum before taking Seasonale, or six weeks if they are to breastfeed the baby.

Drug Interaction

These drugs may inhibit the potency of Seasonale, leading to increased chances for successful conception: theophylline, phenylbutazone, St. John`s wort, prednisolone, acetaminophen, and ascorbic acid; HIV drugs, including ritonavir, indinavir, fosamprenavir, and saquinavir; barbiturates such as phenobarbital, butabarbital, secobarbital, and amobarbital; seizure medications like carbamazepin, topiramate, phenytoin, oxcarbazepine, primidone, and felbamate; and antibiotics like rifabutin, ampicillin, griseofulvin, penicillin, and amoxicillin.

Missed Dose

Missing a scheduled intake of Seasonale increases the chances for conception. If an `active` pill is missed, two pills of the said type must be taken on the day the missed dose is remembered, and succeeded by the regular intake schedule. If two `active` pills are missed in succession, take two pills a day for the next two days, and back it up with other birth control methods.

Overdose

If an excessive intake of Seasonale is suspected, seek immediate medical help. More common indications of medication overdose include vaginal bleeding, nausea, and vomiting.

Storage

Store Seasonale in temperatures between 20 and 25° C, away from excessive heat.