Zafemy Coupons & Discount Card - Compare Prices Near You

When using hormonal birth control methods like the pill, patch, or ring, it's important to be aware of the increased risk of serious cardiovascular events, especially for smokers. Here's a brief overview of the safety considerations:

• Smoking can significantly elevate your risk of experiencing a stroke, heart attack, blood clots, and high blood pressure when using hormonal contraceptives.
• The risk of these conditions is particularly heightened in individuals who are obese, older than 35 years, and those who smoke more cigarettes.
• You should not use this form of medication if you are obese or are a smoker over the age of 35.
• Be aware that using the patch can result in a higher estrogen intake compared to most birth control pills, which may further increase the risk of blood clots and other side effects.
• It is crucial to consult with your healthcare provider for a detailed discussion about your specific risk factors and to determine the most appropriate contraceptive method for you.

You may experience some mild side effects when using this medication, such as skin irritation at the application site, nausea, vomiting, headache, bloating, breast tenderness, ankle or foot swelling due to fluid retention, or changes in weight. Spotting or vaginal bleeding between periods is also common, especially in the first few months of use. These effects are usually not serious, but if they persist or worsen, it is important to consult your healthcare provider.

Monitoring your blood pressure is advised, as this medication can sometimes cause an increase. If you observe high readings, inform your healthcare provider. Be alert for more serious side effects, which include lumps in the breast, changes in mood or mental state (like depression), severe abdominal pain, unusual vaginal bleeding patterns, dark urine, or yellowing of the skin or eyes. These warrant immediate medical attention.

Rarely, this medication may lead to severe complications from blood clots, such as heart attacks, strokes, or clots in the lungs or legs. Seek urgent medical help if you experience chest, jaw, or left arm pain, confusion, sudden dizziness or fainting, pain or swelling in the groin or calf, difficulty speaking, shortness of breath, severe headaches, unusual sweating, weakness on one side of the body, or sudden vision changes.

Allergic reactions to this medication are very rare but can be serious. If you notice symptoms like rash, itching or swelling (particularly of the face, tongue, or throat), severe dizziness, or difficulty breathing, seek immediate medical assistance. If you experience any side effects not mentioned here, contact your healthcare provider for advice.

This medication may interact with certain drugs, including aromatase inhibitors like anastrozole and exemestane, fezolinetant, ospemifene, tamoxifen, tizanidine, tranexamic acid, and specific combination treatments for chronic hepatitis C, such as ombitasvir/paritaprevir/ritonavir, with or without dasabuvir. Additionally, some medications can reduce the effectiveness of hormonal birth control by lowering hormone levels in your body, potentially leading to pregnancy. Examples include griseofulvin, modafinil, rifamycins (e.g., rifampin, rifabutin), ritonavir, St. John's wort, seizure medications (e.g., barbiturates, carbamazepine, felbamate, phenytoin, primidone, topiramate), and certain HIV treatments (e.g., nelfinavir, nevirapine).

It is important to inform your doctor whenever you begin taking a new medication and discuss whether you need to use an additional method of birth control. Also, notify your doctor if you experience any new spotting or breakthrough bleeding, as these could indicate that your birth control is not as effective. This medication may also affect certain laboratory tests, such as those for blood clotting factors and thyroid function, possibly leading to incorrect test results. Ensure that all healthcare providers and laboratory personnel are aware that you are using this medication.