Precautions
Tell your doctor about your medical history such as migraine headaches, blood clots, strokes, eye (vascular retinal) problems, high blood pressure, diabetes, obesity, allergies, high cholesterol, seizures, heart problems, kidney diseases, liver problems, cancers, unusual vaginal bleeding, vaginal fibroids, lupus (SLE) or rheumatoid arthritis, mental issues and drug allergies. Seek advice from your medical doctor. This drug may cause a patchy darkening of the skin on the face (melasma). Sunlight may accentuate this darkening, and you may want to avoid prolonged sun exposure and sunlamps.
Consult your physician regarding the use of sunscreens and protective gear. This medicinal drug must not be used while being pregnant. If you want to be pregnant or think you’ll be pregnant, tell your medical doctor immediately. Avoid being pregnant for at least one month after taking this medicine. Use non-hormonal birth control (such as latex condoms) at some point. This medicine passes into breast milk and might have unwanted outcomes on a nursing infant. Consult your health practitioner before breast-feeding.
Interactions
Tell your medical doctor of all prescription and non-prescription medication you could use, particularly of all antibiotics, barbiturates (e.g., phenobarbital, primidone), carbamazepine, ethosuximide, phenytoin, rifamycins (e.g. rifampin), pain relievers, antihistamines (e.g., diphenhydramine), migraine remedies (e.g., sumatriptan), griseofulvin, isoniazid, ascorbic acid (vitamin C), nitrofurantoin, beta-blockers (e.g., propranolol), corticosteroids (e.g., prednisone), diabetes drugs, “blood thinners” (e.g., warfarin), psychiatric medications, theophylline, anti-anxiety drugs (e.g., diazepam), phenylbutazone.
Cigarette smoking increases the risk for side effects. Tell your physician if you smoke or if you have lately stopped smoking. Ask your health practitioner or pharmacist for details. This drug may additionally interfere with some laboratory tests (which includes LH and FSH levels). Do not begin or stop any medication without health practitioner or pharmacist approval.