Lizelle Special Precautions

General Information: Before taking Lizelle, the physician will ask various questions about personal and family medical history. The physician will also measure the blood pressure and depending on the personal situation, may carry out other tests.
The following describes various situations when Lizelle should be discontinued or when the effect of Lizelle could be reduced. In such situations, the patient should not have sex or should use additional nonhormonal contraceptive precautions eg, a condom or other barrier method. Do not use the rhythm or temperature method. These methods can be unreliable as Lizelle alters the monthly changes of body temperature and cervical mucus.
Lizelle, similar to other hormonal contraceptives, does not protect against HIV infection (AIDS) or any other sexually transmitted disease.
While receiving Lizelle, see the physician regularly at least twice a year.
If any unusual symptoms eg, unexplained pains in the chest, abdomen or legs occur, consult a physician immediately.
Special Precautions: In some situations, special care may be needed when taking Lizelle or any other combination pill, and the physician may need to carry out regular checks. If any of the following is affected, inform the physician before starting to use Lizelle. Consult a physician if the following occur or worsen during the use of Lizelle: If a close family member has or has ever had breast cancer, any 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 kidneys), sickle cell anemia (a hereditary illness affecting red blood cells), epilepsy (see Interactions), systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE; an illness affecting the immune system); an 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 blisters during pregnancy), Sydenham's chorea (an illness affecting the nerves, producing involuntary movements); history or active chloasma (patches of tan/brown skin discoloration, also called the "mask of pregnancy", especially on the face), avoid direct sunlight and ultraviolet rays if experienced; hereditary angioedema, products which contain estrogen can cause or worsen the symptoms of angioedema. Consult a physician immediately if experiencing symptoms of angioedema eg, swelling of the face, tongue and/or pharynx, and/or have difficulty in swallowing or break out in hives together with having difficulty in breathing.
Venous and Arterial Blood Clots: Venous Thrombosis: The use of any combination pill, including Lizelle, increases the risk of developing a venous blood clot (venous thrombosis), compared to women who do not take any contraceptive pill.
The risk of developing venous thrombosis when taking combination pills increases in patients with increasing age, if overweight, with any of the close family members have had blood clots in the leg, lungs (pulmonary embolism) or any other organ at an early age, surgery, or are going to be immobilized for a long time or have suffered a serious accident. It is important to inform the physician in advance when using Lizelle as the treatment may be discontinued. The physician will inform the patient when to start taking Lizelle again. It usually takes about 2 weeks.
Arterial Thrombosis: The use of combination pills has been linked to an increased risk of developing an arterial blood clot (arterial thrombosis) eg, in the blood vessels of the heart (heart attack) or the brain (stroke).
The risk of developing an arterial blood clot when taking combination pills increases in patients who are smoking, with high levels of blood cholesterol or triglycerides, if overweight, close relatives had a heart attack or stroke at young age, blood pressure is high, migraines and heart problems (valve disorders, changes in the heart rhythm). When taking Lizelle, it is strongly advised to quit smoking especially if the patient is >35 years of age.
Discontinue Lizelle and contact a physician immediately if possible signs of blood clot is noticed eg, severe pain and/or swelling in one of the legs; sudden severe pain in the chest which may reach the left arm, sudden breathlessness and cough without an obvious cause; any unusual, severe or long-lasting headache or worsening of migraine; partial or complete blindness or double vision; difficulty in speaking or inability to speak; giddiness or fainting; weakness, strange feeling or numbness in any part of the body.
Cancer: Women who take combination pills 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 combination pills because they are examined by their physician more frequently. The breast cancer rate reduces gradually after deciding to stop taking combined hormonal contraceptives. It is important to regularly examine the breasts and to consult a physician if any lumps are found.
Benign liver tumors have been found in women who use combined contraceptives on rare occasions and malignant tumors are even rarer. Consult a physician if a sudden, intense abdominal pain is experienced.
Bleeding Between Periods: During the 1st few months of using Lizelle, bleeding may be experienced unexpectedly (bleeding outside the placebo days). If such bleeding is experienced for more than a few months, or they begin after a few months, the physician must find the cause.
If Bleeding Do Not Occur During the Placebo Days: If all the pink active tablets have been taken correctly, have not vomited or had bad diarrhea, and have not taken any other medication, it is very unlikely to get pregnant.
If 2 consecutive periods are missed, the patient could get pregnant. Contact the physician immediately. The next strip should not be taken until it is sure that the patient is not pregnant.
Taking Other Medicines: Always inform the physician about the medication or herbal preparations already being taken. Also inform other physicians or dentist who has prescribed other medication (or pharmacist) that Lizelle is being taken. They may inform patient if the use of additional contraceptive precautions is needed (eg, condoms) and, if so, for how long may be needed.
Laboratory Tests: If a blood test is needed, inform the physician or laboratory staff that Lizelle is being taken, as hormonal contraceptives can affect the results of some tests.
Important Information About Some of the Ingredients: Lizelle contains lactose. If the patient had been informed of having an intolerance to some sugars, contact a physician before taking Lizelle.
Effects on the Ability to Drive or Operate Machinery: There is no information which suggests that using Lizelle had an effect on the ability to drive or use machinery.
Use in Pregnancy & Lactation: If pregnant, Lizelle must not be taken. If becomes pregnant while taking Lizelle, discontinue use immediately and contact the physician. If wanted to become pregnant, discontinue Lizelle at any time (see Dosage & Administration).
It is generally not recommended to take Lizelle when breastfeeding. If the patient wanted to use contraceptive while breastfeeding, consult a physician.
Ask the physician or pharmacist for advise before taking any medicine.