Smoking and Cardiovascular Risk
Smoking while taking Seasonique increases the risk of serious cardiovascular problems, including heart attack, stroke, and blood clots.
The risk increases with age and with the number of cigarettes smoked.
Seasonique should not be used by women over 35 years of age who smoke.
Blood Clots
Seasonique can increase the risk of developing blood clots.
These clots may form in the legs or lungs and can sometimes lead to serious complications.
Seasonique should not be used if you have certain conditions that greatly increase your risk of blood clots, including:
- A current or previous deep vein thrombosis (DVT)
- A current or previous pulmonary embolism (PE)
- Certain inherited or acquired blood-clotting disorders
- A history of stroke or certain heart diseases
Seek immediate medical attention if you develop sudden chest pain, shortness of breath, coughing up blood, severe leg pain or swelling, sudden weakness or numbness, or difficulty speaking.
Stroke and Heart Attack
Combined oral contraceptives such as Seasonique may increase the risk of stroke and heart attack.
The risk may be higher if you have other cardiovascular risk factors, including smoking, high blood pressure, diabetes with blood-vessel complications, or certain types of migraines.
Tell your healthcare provider about your complete medical history before starting Seasonique.
High Blood Pressure
Seasonique should not be used if you have uncontrolled high blood pressure.
If you have well-controlled high blood pressure, your healthcare provider may monitor your blood pressure more closely while you are taking Seasonique.
Contact your healthcare provider if your blood pressure increases significantly during treatment.
Migraines and Severe Headaches
Tell your healthcare provider if you have migraine headaches.
Seasonique may not be appropriate if you have migraines with certain neurological symptoms, particularly if you are over 35 years of age.
Seek prompt medical attention if you develop:
- A new or unusually severe headache
- Sudden vision changes
- Difficulty speaking
- Weakness or numbness on one side of the body
- Other symptoms that may suggest a stroke
Breast Cancer and Other Hormone-Sensitive Cancers
Seasonique should not be used if you currently have, or previously had, certain estrogen- or progestin-sensitive cancers such as breast cancer.
Tell your healthcare provider about any personal history of breast cancer or other hormone-sensitive cancers before starting Seasonique.
Liver Problems
Seasonique should not be used by people with certain liver diseases or liver tumors.
Combined hormonal contraceptives can affect liver function and have rarely been associated with liver tumors.
Contact your healthcare provider if you develop yellowing of the skin or eyes, dark urine, or severe upper abdominal pain.
Gallbladder Problems
Combined oral contraceptives may increase the risk of gallbladder disease in some people.
Tell your healthcare provider if you have a history of gallbladder problems or develop severe or persistent upper abdominal pain.
Unexplained Vaginal Bleeding
Seasonique should not be started if you have unexplained abnormal vaginal bleeding until the cause has been evaluated.
Tell your healthcare provider about any unusual or unexplained bleeding before starting treatment.
Changes in Menstrual Bleeding
Seasonique is designed to reduce how often scheduled bleeding occurs.
Spotting or breakthrough bleeding is common, especially during the first few treatment cycles.
Contact your healthcare provider if bleeding becomes unusually heavy, continues for an extended period, or occurs after your bleeding pattern had previously become regular.
Depression and Mood Changes
Tell your healthcare provider if you have a history of depression.
Some people may experience mood changes or worsening depression while taking hormonal contraceptives.
Contact your healthcare provider if you develop significant or persistent changes in mood.
Body Weight and BMI
The effectiveness of Seasonique in people with a BMI greater than 30 kg/m² has not been specifically evaluated in clinical studies.
If you have concerns about whether Seasonique is an appropriate birth control option based on your weight or BMI, discuss them with your healthcare provider.
Drug Interactions
Some medications and herbal products can reduce the effectiveness of Seasonique or increase the risk of side effects.
These may include certain:
- Seizure medications
- Antibiotics used for specific infections
- Antifungal medications
- HIV or hepatitis C medications
- Herbal products such as St. John’s wort
Tell your healthcare provider about all prescription medications, over-the-counter products, vitamins, supplements, and herbal products you use.
A backup birth control method may be recommended with certain interacting medications.
Pregnancy
Do not take Seasonique if you are pregnant.
Seasonique is used to prevent pregnancy and provides no benefit during an existing pregnancy.
If you think you may be pregnant, contact your healthcare provider.
Sexually Transmitted Infections
Seasonique helps prevent pregnancy, but it does not protect against HIV or other sexually transmitted infections (STIs).
Barrier methods such as condoms can help reduce the risk of STI transmission.
Before Surgery or Long Periods of Inactivity
Tell your healthcare provider if you are scheduled for major surgery or expect to be unable to move around normally for an extended period.
Because prolonged immobility can increase the risk of blood clots, your healthcare provider may advise you to temporarily stop Seasonique before certain procedures.
REVIEWS