| Medication Name | Seasonale |
| Generic Name | Ethinyl Estradiol and Levonorgestrel |
| Boxed/Label Warning | Cigarette smoking increases the risk of serious cardiovascular side effects from oral contraceptive use. This risk increases with age and with heavy smoking (15 or more cigarettes per day) and is quite marked in women over 35 years of age. Women who use oral contraceptives should be strongly advised not to smoke. |
| Purpose | Extended-cycle oral contraceptive to prevent pregnancy |
| Mechanism of Action | Prevents ovulation by suppressing gonadotropins (follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH)). Ethinyl estradiol provides estrogen, and levonorgestrel provides progestin. |
| Dosage Forms | Oral tablets |
| Available Strengths | 0.03 mg ethinyl estradiol and 0.15 mg levonorgestrel |
| Dosage Frequency | One tablet daily for 91 days (13 weeks), followed by 7 days of inactive pills |
| Common Side Effects | Nausea, vomiting, headache, bloating, breast tenderness, weight changes, spotting between periods |
| Serious Side Effects | Blood clots (deep vein thrombosis, pulmonary embolism), stroke, heart attack, liver problems, high blood pressure, gallbladder disease |
| Drug Interactions | Certain antibiotics (e.g., rifampin), antifungals, anti-seizure medications, St. John’s Wort, HIV protease inhibitors |
| Important Notes | Take at the same time each day to maintain consistent hormone levels. Consult a healthcare provider if you experience severe abdominal pain, chest pain, vision changes, or severe headache. |
| Storage | Store at room temperature away from moisture and light. |
| Missed Dose | Refer to the product insert for detailed instructions on managing missed doses. Generally, take the missed pill as soon as you remember, even if it means taking two pills in one day. Use backup contraception if you miss multiple pills. |
| Alternatives | Amethyst, Jolessa, Quartette, traditional monthly birth control pills |