Herz Contraindications

WHAT THE PATIENT NEEDS TO KNOW BEFORE TAKING HERZ: Before the patient can begin taking HERZ, the doctor will ask some questions about her personal health history and that of her close relatives. The doctor will also measure blood pressure and, depending upon her personal situation, may also carry out some other tests.
In this monograph, several situations are described where the patient should stop using HERZ, or where the reliability of HERZ may be decreased. In such situations the patient should either not have sex or should take extra non-hormonal contraceptive precautions, e.g. use a condom or another barrier method. Do not use rhythm or temperature methods. These methods can be unreliable because HERZ alters the monthly changes of body temperature and cervical mucus.
HERZ, like other hormonal contraceptives, does not protect against HIV infection (AIDS) or any other sexually transmitted disease.
Do not use HERZ if the patient has any of the conditions listed as follows. If any of these apply to the patient, tell the doctor before starting to use HERZ. The doctor may advise to use a different type of pill or an entirely different (including non-hormonal) method of birth control.
If the patient has (or has ever had) a blood clot in a blood vessel of the leg (thrombosis), of the lung (pulmonary embolism) or other parts of the body.
If the patient has (or has ever had) a heart attack or stroke (caused by a blood clot or a rupture of a blood vessel in the brain).
If the patient has (or has ever had) a disease that can be an indicator of a future heart attack (for example, angina pectoris which causes severe chest pain which may spread to the left arm) or of a stroke (for example, a minor stroke with no residual effects, a so-called transient ischaemic attack).
If the patient has a high risk of venous or arterial blood clots (see The Pill and blood clots under Precautions and consult the doctor who will decide whether the patient may use the Pill).
If the patient (or has ever had) a certain kind of migraine (with so-called focal neurological symptoms such as visual symptoms, speech disability, or weakness or numbness in any part of the body).
If the patient has diabetes mellitus with damaged blood vessels.
If the patient has (or has ever had) a liver disease (symptoms of which may be yellowing of the skin or itching over the whole body) and the liver is still not working normally.
If the patient is taking any antiviral medicines which contain ombitasvir, paritaprevir, or dasabuvir, and combinations of these. These antiviral medicines are used to treat chronic (long-term) hepatitis C (an infectious disease that affects the liver, caused by the hepatitis C virus).
If the patient has (or has ever had) a cancer that may grow under the influence of sex hormones (e.g. of the breast or the genital organs).
If the patient has a severe kidney insufficiency or acute kidney failure.
If the patient has (or has ever had) a benign or malignant tumor of the liver.
If the patient has any unexplained bleeding from the vagina.
If the patient is pregnant or thinks she might be pregnant.
If the patient is allergic (hypersensitive) to ethinylestradiol, drospirenone or any of the other ingredients in HERZ. This may cause, for example, itching, rash or swelling.
If any of these conditions appear for the first time while using the Pill, stop taking it at once and consult the doctor. In the meantime, use non-hormonal contraceptive measures.