Before Using

In deciding to using a medication, the chance of taking the drug must be weighed against the good it will do. If you are using progestins for contraception you must understand how their benefits and chance compare to those of other birth control methods. This is a decision you, your sexual partner and your family doctor will make. For progestins, the following must be considered

Allergic reaction

Diet Make certain your health care professional knows if you are on any special diet, such as a low-sodium or low-sugar diet.

Pregnancy care

Breast-feeding problem

Adolescents Progestins have been using by teenagers and have not been shown to cause various side effects or problems than they do in adults. You must take progestin-only oral contraceptives every day in order for them to work. Progestins do not protect against sexually transmitted diseases, a risk factor for teenagers.

Elderly care

Drug interactions

• Aminoglutethimide - Cytadren
• Carbamazepine - Tegretol
• Phenobarbital
• Phenytoin - Dilantin
• Rifabutin - Mycobutin
• Rifampin - Rifadin, Rimactane These medication may decrease the effects of progestins and increase your risk of pregnancy, so use of a second form of birth control is recommended

Other Information for using

• Asthma
• Epilepsy - or history of
• Heart or circulation problems
• Kidney disease - severe
• Migraine headaches Progestins may cause fluid build-up and may cause these conditions to become worse

• Bleeding problems, undiagnosed, such as blood in urine or changes in vaginal bleeding May make diagnosis of these problems more difficult

• Breast disease - such as breast lumps or cysts - history of May make this condition worse in certain types of diseases that do not react in a positive way to progestins

• Central nervous system - CNS disorders, such as mental depression - or history of
• High blood cholesterol Effects of progestins may cause these conditions or may make these conditions worse
• Diabetes mellitus - sugar diabetes May cause a mild increase in your blood sugar and a need to change the amount of drug you take for diabetes

• Liver disease Effects of some progestins may be increased and may worsen this condition

• Other conditions that increase the chance for osteoporosis - brittle bones Since it is possible that certain doses of progestins may cause temporary thinning of the bones by changing your hormone balance, it is important that your family doctor know if you have an increased risk of osteoporosis. Some things that can increase your risk for having osteoporosis include cigarette smoking, abusing alcohol, taking or drinking large amounts of caffeine and having a family history of osteoporosis or easily broken bones. Some medication, such as glucocorticoids - cortisone-like medication or anticonvulsants - seizure drug, can also cause thinning of the bones. However, it is thought that progestins can help protect against osteoporosis in postmenopausal women