Liza Special Precautions

General: Before taking Liza, the doctor will have asked the patient various questions about personal and family medical history. The doctor will also measure blood pressure and depending on actual health, may carry out other tests.
This information sheet describes various situations when the patient should stop using Liza or when the effect of Liza could be reduced. In such situations, the patient should not have sexual relations or should use additional nonhormonal contraceptives eg, a condom or other barrier method.
Do not use the rhythm or temperature method. These methods can be unreliable as Liza alters the monthly changes of body temperature and cervical mucus.
Liza, similar to other hormonal contraceptives does not protect against HIV (AIDS) or any other sexually transmitted infection. While receiving this medication, see the doctor regularly at least every 6-12 months.
If the patient has any unusual symptoms eg, unexplained pain in the chest, abdomen or legs, consult the doctor immediately.
In some situations, the patient will have to take special care when taking Liza or any other combined hormonal contraceptives and the doctor may need to carry out regular checks. If any of the following affect the patient, inform the doctor before using Liza. The patient should consult the doctor if the following occur or worsen during the use of Liza. If any close family member has or has had breast cancer; liver or gallbladder illness; diabetes; depression; Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis (an inflammatory bowel disease); hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), (a blood illness which damages the kidney); sickle cell disease (a hereditary illness affecting red blood cells); epilepsy (see Interactions); systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) (an illness affecting the immune system); illness which appeared for the 1st time during pregnancy or during previous use of sexual hormones eg, hearing loss, porphyria (a blood disease), gestational herpes (skin rash with pimples during pregnancy), Sydenham's chorea (an illness affecting the nerves, producing involuntary movements); have or have had chloasma (patches of tan/brown skin discoloration also called the "mask of pregnancy" especially on the face). If the patient experience this, avoid direct sunlight and ultraviolet rays.
If the patient has hereditary angioedema, products which contain estrogen can cause or worsen the symptoms of angioedema. The patient must go to the doctor immediately, if she experience symptoms of angioedema eg, swelling of the face, tongue and/or pharynx, and/or have difficulty in swallowing or break out hives together with having difficulty in breathing.
Surgery, Long Periods of Immobilization or Serious Accidents During Treatment: It is important that the patient tell the doctor in advance that they are taking Liza because the risk of venous thrombosis is increased in these circumstances, the patient must stop taking treatment for a while.
The doctor will inform the patient when to start taking Liza again. This usually happens 2 weeks after the patient regain mobility.
Thrombosis: Venous Thrombosis: The use of any combined contraceptive, Liza included, increases the risk of developing venous thrombosis (formation of clots in blood vessels), in comparison with a woman who does not take any contraceptives.
The risk of developing venous thrombosis when taking combined contraceptives increases with age, overweight, close family members have had blood clots (thrombosis) in the legs, lungs or any other organ at an early age, going to have surgery, or are going to be immobilized for a long time or have suffered a serious accident (see Surgery, Long Periods of Immobilization or Serious Accidents During Treatment as mentioned previously).
Arterial Thrombosis: The use of combined contraceptive has been linked to an increased risk of developing arterial thrombosis (obstruction of an artery) eg, in the blood vessel of the heart (heart attack) or the brain (stroke).
The risk of developing arterial thrombosis when taking combined contraceptives increases if the patient smokes, (it is strongly advised that the patient quit smoking especially if the patient >35 years); high levels of fat in the blood (cholesterol or triglycerides); overweight, patient's family members has had a heart attack or stroke at an early age; high blood pressure; migraines; heart problems (valve disorders, changes in heart rhythm). Stop using Liza and immediately go to the doctor if the patient has possible signs of thrombosis.
Cancer: Women who take combined contraceptives have a slightly higher rate of breast cancer but it is not known if this is due to the medication. For example, it is possible that more tumors are detected in women who take contraceptives because they are examined by the doctor more frequently. The breast cancer rate reduces gradually after the patient decided to stop taking combined hormonal contraceptives.
It is important to regularly examine the breast and go to the doctor if the patient finds any lump.
Benign kidney tumors have been found in women who use combined contraceptives on rare occasions and malignant tumors are even rarer. Go to the doctor if the patient experiences sudden intense abdominal pain.
Liza contains lactose. If the patient have been told by the doctor that she has an intolerance to some sugars, contact the doctor before taking Liza.
Stop using Liza and immediately go to the doctor if the patient has possible signs of thrombosis eg, extreme pain and/or inflammation of one of the legs, intense and sudden chest pain which may reach the left arm; sudden difficulty breathing and cough without clear cause; unusual headache, intense or prolonged or worsening of a migraine; partial or complete vision loss or double vision; difficulty or inability to speak, vertigo or fainting; weakness, abnormal sensations or numbness of any part of the body.
Effects on the Ability to Drive or Operate Machinery: There is no information which suggests that using Liza has an effect on the ability to drive or use machinery.
Use in Lactation: It is generally not recommended to take Liza when the patient is breastfeeding. If the patient wants to use the contraceptive while breastfeeding, she should consult the doctor. Consult the doctor or pharmacist before taking any medicine.