Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Stop using this medication and call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:
Continue using your ethinyl estradiol and desogestrel and talk to your doctor if you have any of these less serious side effects:
Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.
Some drugs can make birth control pills less effective, which may result in pregnancy. Before using this medication, tell your doctor if you are using any of the following drugs:
There may be other drugs not listed that can affect this medication. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor.
What happens if I overdose on Mircette (Desogestrel Ethinyl Estradiol)?
Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this medicine. Symptoms of an overdose may include nausea, vomiting, and vaginal bleeding.
What happens if I miss a dose of Mircette (Desogestrel Ethinyl Estradiol)?
Missing a pill increases your risk of becoming pregnant. Follow the directions on the patient information sheet provided with your medicine. If you do not have an information sheet, call your doctor for instructions if you miss a dose.
If you miss one “active” pill, take two pills on the day that you remember. Then take one pill per day for the rest of the pack.
If you miss two “active” pills in a row in week one or two, take two pills per day for two days in a row. Then take one pill per day for the rest of the pack. Use back-up birth control for at least 7 days following the missed pills.
If you miss two “active” pills in a row in week 3, or if you miss three pills in a row during any of the first 3 weeks, throw out the rest of the pack and start a new one the same day if you are a Day 1 starter. If you are a Sunday starter, keep taking a pill every day until Sunday. On Sunday, throw out the rest of the pack and start a new one that day.
If you miss three “active” tablets in a row during any of the first 3 weeks, throw out the rest of the pack and start a new pack on the same day if you are a Day 1 starter. If you are a Sunday starter, keep taking a pill every day until Sunday. On Sunday, throw out the rest of the pack and start a new one that day.
If you miss two or more pills, you may not have a period during the month. If you miss a period for two months in a row, call your doctor because you might be pregnant.
If you miss any reminder pills, throw them away and keep taking one pill per day until the pack is empty. You do not need back-up birth control if you miss a reminder pill.
What is the most important information I should know about Mircette (Desogestrel Ethinyl Estradiol)?
Do not use birth control pills if you are pregnant or if you have recently had a baby.
Do not use this medication if you have any of the following conditions: a history of stroke or blood clot, circulation problems (especially if caused by diabetes), a hormone-related cancer such as breast or uterine cancer, abnormal vaginal bleeding, liver disease or liver cancer, severe high blood pressure, migraine headaches, a heart valve disorder, or a history of jaundice caused by birth control pills.
You may need to use back-up birth control, such as condoms or a spermicide, when you first start using this medication. Follow your doctor’s instructions.
Taking hormones can increase your risk of blood clots, stroke, or heart attack, especially if you smoke and are older than 35.
Some drugs can make birth control pills less effective, which may result in pregnancy. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use, including vitamins, minerals and herbal products. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking Mircette (Desogestrel Ethinyl Estradiol)?
This medication can cause birth defects. Do not use if you are pregnant. Tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant, or if you miss two menstrual periods in a row. If you have recently had a baby, wait at least 4 weeks before taking birth control pills (6 weeks if you are breast-feeding).
Do not use this medication if you have:
- a history of a stroke or blood clot
- circulation problems (especially if caused by diabetes)
- a hormone-related cancer such as breast or uterine cancer
- abnormal vaginal bleeding
- liver disease or liver cancer
- severe high blood pressure
- severe migraine headaches
- a heart valve disorder; or
- a history of jaundice caused by birth control pills
Before using this medication, tell your doctor if you have any of the following conditions. You may not be able to use birth control pills, or you may need a dosage adjustment or special tests during treatment.
- high blood pressure, heart disease, congestive heart failure, angina (chest pain), or a history of heart attack
- high cholesterol or if you are overweight
- a history of depression
- gallbladder disease
- diabetes
- seizures or epilepsy
- a history of irregular menstrual cycles; or
- a history of fibrocystic breast disease, lumps, nodules, or an abnormal mammogram
The hormones in birth control pills can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. This medication may also slow breast milk production. Do not use if you are breast-feeding a baby.
Mircette
