Lizonya Special Precautions

In some situations, the patient will have to take special care when taking Drospirenone + Ethinylestradiol (Lizonya) or any other combined hormonal contraceptives, and a doctor may need to carry out regular checks. If any of the following affects the patient, tell doctor before using Drospirenone + Ethinylestradiol (Lizonya). Patient should also consult a doctor if the following occur or worsen during the use of Drospirenone + Ethinylestradiol (Lizonya).
If any close family member has or has had breast cancer.
If the patient has any liver or gallbladder illness.
If the patient has diabetes.
If the patient has depression.
If the patient has Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis (an inflammatory bowel disease).
If the patient has HUS (haemolytic uremic syndrome; a blood illness which damages the kidneys).
If the patient has sickle cell disease (a hereditary illness affecting red blood cells).
If the patient has epilepsy (see Interactions).
If the patient has SLE (Systemic lupus erythematosus; an illness affecting the immune system).
If the patient has an illness which appeared for the first time during pregnancy or during previous use of sexual hormones; for example, 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).
If the patient has 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, they have to avoid direct sunlight and ultraviolet rays.
If the patient has hereditary angioedema, products which contain estrogen can cause or worsen the symptoms of angioedema. They must go to a doctor immediately if they experience symptoms of angioedema such as 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.
Surgery, long periods of immobilization or serious accidents during treatment with Drospirenone + Ethinylestradiol (Lizonya): It is important that the patient informs their doctor in advance that they are taking Drospirenone + Ethinylestradiol (Lizonya) as their risk of venous thrombosis is increased in these circumstances and they have to stop taking the treatment for a while.
The doctor will tell the patient when to start taking Drospirenone + Ethinylestradiol (Lizonya) again. This usually happens two weeks after the patient regain mobility.
Venous thrombosis: The use of any combined contraceptive, Drospirenone + Ethinylestradiol (Lizonya) 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; If the patient is overweight; If any of their close family members have had blood clots (thrombosis) in the leg, lungs or any other organ at an early age; If they are going to have surgery, or are going to be immobilized for a long time or have suffered a serious accident [to know what to do, see previously mentioned "Surgery, long period of immobilization or serious accidents during treatment with Drospirenone + Ethinylestradiol (Lizonya)"].
Arterial Thrombosis: The use of combined contraceptive has been linked to an increased risk of developing arterial thrombosis (obstruction of an artery), for example, in the blood vessels of the heart (heart attack) or the brain (stroke).
The risk of developing arterial thrombosis when taking combined contraceptives increases: If the patient smokes; if they use Drospirenone + Ethinylestradiol (Lizonya), it is strongly advised that the patient quit smoking, especially if they are over 35 years of age. If the patient has high levels of fat in the blood (cholesterol or triglycerides); If they are overweight; If the patient or one of their family members has had a heart attack or stroke at an early age; If they have high blood pressure; If they have migraines; If they have heart problems (valve disorders, changes in heart rhythm).
The patient should stop using Drospirenone + Ethinylestradiol (Lizonya) and immediately go to a doctor if they have possible signs of thrombosis (see "Stop the treatment if" as follows).
Drospirenone + Ethinylestradiol (Lizonya) and 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 their doctor more frequently. The breast cancer rate reduces gradually after the patient decides to stop taking combined hormonal contraceptives.
It is important to regularly examine the breasts and go to a doctor if the patient find any lump.
Benign liver tumors have been found in women who use combined contraceptives on rare occasions and malignant tumors are even rarer. Consult a doctor if the patient experience sudden intense abdominal pain.
Stop the treatment if: Stop using Drospirenone + Ethinylestradiol (Lizonya) and immediately go to a doctor if the patient has possible signs of thrombosis, such as: Extreme pain and/or inflammation of one of the legs; Intense and sudden chest pain, which may reach the left arm; Sudden difficulty breathing; Sudden 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.
Driving and using machines: There is no information which suggests that using Drospirenone + Ethinylestradiol (Lizonya) has an effect on the ability to drive or use machinery.