General Information on Levlen
The generic name of Levlen is Levonorgestrel or Ethinyl Estradiol and it is a second generation synthetic progestogen. Considered to be a combination birth control pill, Levlen contains a mix of female hormones that prevent the release of an egg from an ovary also called ovulation. Levlen also brings about changes in the uterine lining as well as cervical mucus, which makes it difficult for the sperm to reach the uterus. You can buy Levlen if it has been prescribed and it recommended normally not to administer a dose without the knowledge of your doctor.
Side effects of Levlen
Administration of Levlen can result in side effects in women. Some of these side effects can be milder while other can be of serious proportion. One of the most common side effects noticed is allergic reactions. Some of the symptoms of allergic reactions that you might encounter include difficulty in breathing, rashes, sore throat, hives and swollen face or throat. Some of the other mild side effects and their symptoms are sudden numbness in one side of your body, weakness, state of confusion, speech imbalance, vision problems including pain behind the eyes, breast pain and tenderness or swelling in the breast, vaginal itching and discharge, change in menstrual period, loss of scalp hair, decreased sex drive, change in appetite, stomach cramps, and bloating.
There are some serious side effects of Levlen as well and the symptoms if any should be reported to your doctor immediately. Some of the symptoms that can lead to serious medical conditions include pain in the chest, heavy feeling in the chest, pain in the arm spreading to the shoulder, change in the pattern of migraine headaches, change from mild to severe migraine headaches, dark urine, symptoms of jaundice, and symptoms of depression.
Precautions
One of the most important precautions that you need to take is not to buy Levlen that is past the expiry date. Secondly, you should take as many tablets as has been prescribed and not overdose. This medication is capable of causing birth defects and hence should not be taken by pregnant women. Administration of Levlen in not recommended for women who have a history of blood clot or stroke and circulation problems caused by diabetes. It should not be taken by women who suffer from or had suffered from abnormal vaginal bleeding and severe high blood pressure.
LevlenDosage
Levlen is an oral medication that can be taken with food or without food. It can be taken with food if you have an upset stomach condition. Most doctors recommend starting Levlen on the first day of your menstrual bleeding. It needs to be taken daily at the same time and the time gap between two medications should not be more than 24 hours. Levlen is available in 4 blister packs, each containing 21 active tablets and 7 inactive tablets. The active ingredients of Levlen tablet include 30 microgram of ethinyl estradiol and 150 microgram of levonorgestrel.
Interactions
Levlen interacts with certain medicines like indinavir, atorvastatin, troleandomycin, azole antifungals, barbiturates, protease inhibitors, hydantoins, penicillin, oxcarbazepine, and beta-blockers.