The risk of severe side effects from oral contraceptives, such as heart attacks, blood clots, and strokes, is increased by smoking. Women over 35 who smoke heavily are at an increased risk (15 or more cigarettes per day). Avoid smoking if you use oral contraceptives.

Pregnancy can be avoided by using oral contraceptives, sometimes known as birth control tablets. Two female sex hormones are oestrogen and progestin. In order to prevent ovulation, oestrogen and progestin combinations are effective (the release of eggs from the ovaries). Additionally, they alter the uterine lining (womb) to stop pregnancy from occurring as well as the mucus at the cervix (uterine opening) to stop sperm (male reproductive cells) from entering. Although they are a fairly efficient means of birth control, oral contraceptives are unable to stop the transmission of the HIV virus, which is the cause of AIDS, and other sexually transmitted diseases.

In some people, specific brands of oral contraceptives are also used to treat acne. By reducing the levels of specific natural chemicals that can exacerbate acne, oral contraceptives treat acne.

Some oral contraceptives (Beyaz, Yaz) are also used to treat the physical and mental symptoms of premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD), which affects women who have opted to use an oral contraceptive to avoid conception.

Oral contraceptives are available in packages of 21, 28, or 91 tablets that need to be swallowed once day, daily, or nearly daily during a regular cycle. Take oral contraceptives with meals or milk to prevent nausea. Every day, take your oral contraceptive at the same time. Ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any instructions on your prescription label that you are unsure about following. Follow the directions on your oral contraceptive exactly. Do not take more or less of it, take it more often, or take it for a longer duration than advised by your doctor.

Oral contraceptives are available under numerous brand names. Oral contraceptives come in a variety of brands, each of which has slightly different ingredients or dosages, slightly different instructions for use, and slightly different dangers and advantages. Make sure you are aware of the brand and precise instructions for the oral contraceptive you are using. Request a copy of the manufacturer’s information for the patient from your doctor or pharmacist and carefully study it.

If you have a 21-tablet packet, take 1 tablet everyday for 21 days and then none for 7 days. then launch a fresh packet.

If your package contains 28, take 1 pill each day for 28 days straight in the order listed on your packet. Start a new packet the day after you take your 28th tablet. Most 28-tablet packs may contain tablets of various colours. Numerous 28-tablet packs have a mix of color-coded tablets with varying concentrations of oestrogen and progesterone, as well as additional color-coded tablets that may be inactive or contain a folate supplement.

Take 1 pill per day for 91 days if you have a 91-day supply of tablets. Three tablet trays will be included in your packet. Take one tablet daily in the sequence listed on the packet, starting with the first tablet on the first tray, until all of the tablets on all of the trays have been taken. The most recent batch of tablets have a distinct tint. These tablets might have an inactive component or a very little amount of oestrogen. The day after you take your 91st tablet, begin your fresh package.

When you should begin using your oral contraceptive, your doctor will instruct you. Typically, oral contraceptives are started on the first or fifth day of your period, the first Sunday following it starts, or the day when bleeding starts. During the first 7 to 9 days that you take your oral contraceptive, your doctor will also advise you on whether you need to use another method of birth control and will assist you in making a decision. Pay close attention to these guidelines.

During the week that you are not using your oral contraceptive or while taking the inactive or low dose oestrogen tablets, you may suffer withdrawal bleeding that resembles a menstrual period. You won’t encounter any planned bleeding if you are taking a packet that solely contains active tablets, but you could experience unanticipated bleeding and spotting, especially at the start of your therapy. Even if you are still bleeding, make sure to begin taking your next packet on time.

If you vomit or have diarrhoea while taking an oral contraceptive, you might need to use a backup birth control method. Before starting your oral contraceptive, discuss this with your doctor so that you can get ready with a backup birth control option just in case. Call your doctor to ask how long to use the backup method if you have nausea or diarrhoea while using an oral contraceptive.

Wait 4 weeks after delivery before starting oral contraceptives if you just gave birth. Ask your doctor when you should start using oral contraceptives if you’ve had an abortion or miscarriage.

Only when taken consistently can oral contraceptives be effective. Even if you are bleeding or spotting, have an upset stomach, or don’t believe you are likely to get pregnant, keep taking your oral contraceptives every day. Stop using oral contraceptives only after consulting your doctor.

Additionally, endometriosis and heavy or irregular menstruation are sometimes treated with oral contraceptives (a condition in which the type of tissue that lines the uterus [womb] grows in other areas of the body and causes pain, heavy or irregular menstruation [periods], and other symptoms). The dangers of using this drug for your illness should be discussed with your doctor.

Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more details if you believe this drug should be used for something else.

Before taking oral contraceptives,

• If you have an allergy to oestrogen, progestin, or any other drugs, let your doctor and pharmacist know right away.
• Inform your physician and pharmacist about all prescription and over-the-counter drugs, vitamins, and dietary supplements you are using. Incorporate any of the following: acetaminophen (APAP, Tylenol); antibiotics such as ampicillin (Principen), clarithromycin (Biaxin), erythromycin (E.E.S., E-Mycin, Erythrocin), metronidazole (Flagyl), minocycline (Dynacin, Minocin), rifabutin (Mycobutin), anticoagulants (‘blood thinners’) such warfarin (Coumadin); antifungals like griseofulvin (Fulvicin, Grifulvin, Grisactin); fluconazole (Diflucan); itraconazole (Sporanox); and ketoconazole (Nizoral); atorvastatin (Lipitor); troleandomycin (TAO) (not available in the United States); clofibrate (Atromid-S); cyclosporine (Neoral, Sandimmune); bosentan (Tracleer); cimetidine (Tagamet); danazol (Danocrine); delavirdine (Rescriptor); diltiazem (Cardizem, Dilacor, Tiazac); fluoxetine (Prozac, Sarafem, in Symbyax); HIV proteas (Accolate). Your physician might need to adjust the dosage of your drugs or keep a close eye on you for side effects.
• If you use any of the drosperinone-containing oral contraceptives (Beyaz, Gianvi, Loryna, Ocella, Safyral, Syeda, Yasmin, Yaz, and Zarah), let your doctor and pharmacist know if you also use any of the following drugs: Aspirin and other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn), and spironolactone (Aldactone), as well as diuretics (‘water pills’), such as amiloride (Midamor), spironolactone (Aldactone), and triamterene (Dyrenium); angio. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you’re taking cholestyramine (Locholest, Prevalite, Questran), a folate supplement, methotrexate (Trexall), pyrimethamine (Daraprim), sulfasalazine (Azulfidine), or valproic acid before taking Beyaz or Safyral as well (Depakene, Stavzor).
• Tell your doctor what herbal products you are taking, especially St. John’s wort.
• Inform your physician if you have or have ever experienced blood clots in your legs, lungs, or eyes, thrombophilia (condition in which the blood clots easily), coronary artery disease (clogged blood vessels leading to the heart), cerebrovascular disease (clogging or weakening of the blood vessels within the brain or leading to the brain), stroke or mini-stroke, an irregular heartbeat, heart disease, a heart attack, chest pain, diabetes that has impacted your circulation, pregnancy-related or hormonal contraceptive-related yellowing of the skin or eyes; unexplained abnormal vaginal bleeding; adrenal insufficiency (condition in which the body produces insufficient amounts of some natural substances required for critical functions like blood pressure); or kidney disease. If you have just undergone surgery or have been unable to move around for any reason, let your doctor know as well. If you currently have or have ever had any of these illnesses, your doctor may advise you not to use any oral contraceptives or to stop using specific types altogether.
• Tell your doctor if you have or ever had problems with your breasts, such as lumps, an abnormal mammogram (breast x-ray), or fibrocystic breast disease (swollen, tender breasts and/or breast lumps that are not cancer); high blood cholesterol or fats; diabetes; asthma; toxaemia (high blood pressure during pregnancy); heart attack; chest pain; seizures; migraine headaches; depression; gallbladder; and if you are overweight.
• If you are breastfeeding a baby or intend to get pregnant, avoid using oral contraceptives. Call your doctor right away if you get pregnant while using oral contraceptives.
• You could get pregnant if you stop having periods while using oral contraception. If you are using a 91-tablet packet and you miss one period, notify your doctor. If you follow the instructions for another type of packet and skip one period, you can still take your tablets. However, call your doctor and use another method of birth control until you have a pregnancy test if you have taken your pills as prescribed and you miss one period or if you have taken them as prescribed and you miss two. If you are using a 28-tablet packet that contains solely active pills, you would not expect to have periods on a regular basis, thus it may be hard to know if you are pregnant. If you develop pregnancy symptoms like nausea, vomiting, or sore breasts while using this type of oral contraceptive, call your doctor and get a pregnancy test, or if you have any reason to believe you might be pregnant.
• Inform the surgeon or dentist that you are taking oral contraceptives if you are having surgery, including dental surgery.
• You should be aware that oral contraceptives may result in the skin becoming spottily darker, particularly on the face. Avoid exposure to natural or artificial sunlight while using oral contraceptives if you have previously experienced changes in your skin tone while pregnant or while using oral contraceptives. Put on sunscreen, sunglasses, and protective gear.
• In case you wear contact lenses, let your doctor and pharmacist know. Consult an eye doctor if you experience changes in your eyesight or your ability to wear contact lenses while using an oral contraceptive.

Keep eating normally unless your doctor instructs you otherwise.

You might not be protected from pregnancy if you skip doses of your oral contraceptive. For 7 to 9 days, or until the conclusion of the cycle, you might need to utilise a backup method of birth control. If you miss one or more doses, there are specific instructions provided with every type of oral contraceptives. Read the instructions in the manufacturer’s information for the patient that was included with your oral contraceptive product carefully. Call your physician or pharmacist with any inquiries. Till your inquiries are resolved, carry on taking your prescribed medication and use a back-up form of birth control.

Side effects from oral contraceptives are possible. If any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away, let your doctor know right once:

• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Abdominal pain or bloating
• Diarrhea
• Constipation
• Gingivitis (swelling of the gum tissue) (swelling of the gum tissue)
• Changing or decreasing one’s appetite
• Gaining or losing weight
• Skin patches that are brown or black
• Acne
• Hair growth in unexpected locations
• Spots or bleeding between menstrual cycles
• Modifications to menstrual flow
• Missed or painful periods
• Tenderness, expansion, or discharge in the breast
• Vaginal swelling, redness, irritability, burning, or itching
• White vaginal spotting

Some negative effects may be quite detrimental. Even though the following symptoms are unusual, if you detect any of them you should call your doctor straight away:

• Terrible headache
• Severe nausea
• Speech issues
• Unsteadiness or weakness
• Arm or leg weakness or numbness
• Crushing chest pain or heaviness in the chest
• Bloody cough
• Shortness of breath
• Leg ache
• Partial or total eyesight loss
• Dual perception
• Enlarged eyes
• A terrible tummy ache
• The skin or eyes turning yellow
• Reduced appetite
• Extreme exhaustion, sluggishness, or lack of energy
• Fever
• Urine with a deep colour
• Stool with a light colour
• Hands, foot, ankles, or lower legs swelling
• Depression, particularly if you also experience difficulty sleeping, exhaustion, a decline in energy, or other mood changes
• Uncommon bleeding
• Rash
• Unusually heavy or prolonged menstrual bleeding that lasts more than seven days straight

Utilizing oral contraceptives may raise your risk of developing liver tumours. These tumours are not a kind of cancer, but they can break and cause catastrophic bleeding inside the body. Additionally, using oral contraceptives may make you more likely to get liver or breast cancer, a heart attack, a stroke, or a major blood clot. Talk to your doctor about the hazards of using oral contraceptives.

Studies suggest that women who use the drosperinone-containing oral contraceptives Beyaz, Gianvi, Loryna, Ocella, Safyral, Syeda, Yasmin, Yaz, and Zarah may be more susceptible to developing deep vein thrombosis than women who use contraceptives without drosperinone. Deep vein thrombosis is a serious or life-threatening condition in which blood clots form in the veins Other research, meanwhile, does not support this elevated risk. The danger of blood clots and the best oral contraceptive or alternative form of birth control for you should be discussed with your doctor before you start taking oral contraceptives.

Other adverse reactions to oral contraceptives are possible. If you experience any strange issues while taking this medicine, contact your doctor right away.

You or your doctor can submit a report to the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting programme online or by phone if you have a serious side event (1-800-332-1088).

Keep this medication out of the reach of children and tightly wrapped in the packet it came in. Store it away from excessive heat and moisture at room temperature (not in the bathroom).

Unused prescriptions must be disposed of carefully to prevent pets, kids, and other people from ingesting them. You should not, however, dispose of this medication in the toilet. Instead, utilising a medicine take-back programme is the easiest approach to get rid of your medication. To find out about take-back programmes in your area, speak with your pharmacist or the garbage/recycling department in your city. If you do not have access to a take-back programme, see the FDA’s Safe Disposal of Medicines website at http://goo.gl/c4Rm4p for additional information.

As many containers (such as weekly pill minders and those for eye drops, creams, patches, and inhalers) are not child-resistant and are simple for young children to open, it is crucial to keep all medications out of sight and out of reach of children. Always lock safety caps and promptly stash medication up and away from young children where it is out of their sight and reach to prevent poisoning. http://www.upandaway.org

Call the poison control hotline at 1-800-222-1222 in the event of an overdose. Additionally, information can be found online at https://www.poisonhelp.org/help. Call 911 right once if the person has collapsed, experienced a seizure, is having difficulty breathing, or cannot be roused.

Overdose symptoms could include:

• Nausea
• Uterine bleeding

Keep all of your appointments with your physician and the lab. Every year, you should receive a thorough physical exam that includes a Pap test, breast and pelvic checks, and blood pressure readings. When checking your breasts, according to your doctor’s instructions and report any lumps right away.

Inform the lab staff that you use oral contraceptives before you undergo any testing.

Your doctor might advise you to use a different method of birth control until you start menstruating regularly once more if you decide to stop taking oral contraceptives and get pregnant. If you have never given birth or had irregular, infrequent, or no menstrual periods prior to taking oral contraceptives, it could take a while for you to get pregnant after stopping the medication. However, after ceasing some oral contraceptives, it is possible to become pregnant within a few days. You should start utilising a different method of birth control as soon as you stop using oral contraceptives if you wish to stop using them but avoid getting pregnant. Any queries you might have can be discussed with your doctor.

The amount of folate in your body may decrease as a result of oral contraceptives. If you wish to get pregnant quickly after stopping oral contraceptives, talk to your doctor because folate is crucial for the growth of a healthy baby. Your physician might advise that you use an oral contraceptive that also contains a folate supplement or a folate supplement (Beyaz, Safyral).

No one else should take your medication. Any queries you may have regarding medication refills should be directed to your pharmacist.

You should keep a written record of every medication you take, including any over-the-counter (OTC) items, prescription drugs, and dietary supplements like vitamins and minerals. This list should be brought with you whenever you see a doctor or are admitted to the hospital. You should always have this information with you in case of emergencies.