Warner Chilcott, which makes prescription dermatology and women's health products, officially launched the product Thursday aimed at women who sometimes forget to take their pills. Lee Shulman, chairman of the Association of Reproductive Health Professionals, and an obstetrician-gynecologist at Northwestern Memorial Hospital and a professor at Northwestern University.
According to a number of studies, one-third to nearly one-half of women on birth control pills miss one or two per month, increasing their chances of pregnancy. With perfect use of combination pills, containing both estrogen and progestin, 0. Just as effective as regular pills, maker says Femcon Fe, which the company says is just as effective as standard pills, comes in the typical day cycle, with 21 days of active pills and seven days of inactive or "reminder" pills.
The "Fe" stands for the chemical symbol for iron, which is included in the dummy pills. Femcon Fe is simply a chewable version of the company's Ovcon 35, a birth control pill that has already been on the market for about three decades. If you have used a vaginal ring or patch, finish the 21 days of use, and wait 7 days after the ring or patch is removed before you start taking this medicine.
You must also use a second method of birth control eg, condom, diaphragm, spermicide for the first 7 days you take this medicine. If you switch from an IUD, talk to your doctor when to start taking this medicine.
You do not need a second form of birth control. If you start this medicine 5 days or more after the miscarriage or abortion, you should use a second form of non-hormonal birth control for the first 7 days of your first pill cycle.
If you have a miscarriage or abortion after the second trimester, you should wait for 4 weeks before starting this medicine. Use another form of birth control for the first 7 days of your first pill cycle if you use this medicine on a Sunday. If you use this medicine after giving birth and choose not to breastfeed, you may start 4 weeks after childbirth to prevent the risk of having blood clots.
Do not eat grapefruit or drink grapefruit juice while you are using this medicine. Grapefruit and grapefruit juice may change the amount of this medicine that is absorbed in the body. The dose of this medicine will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label.
The following information includes only the average doses of this medicine. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so. In theory, you may find it easier to tuck your chewable birth control pack in your wallet.
Whether you forget to take your pill on time or are on the go and want to keep your medication discreet, you can pop a chewable birth control pill wherever you are, Ramanadhan explains. Edwardson says that chewable birth control pills come in many formulations from a number of brands.
According to Edwardson, all types of chewable contraceptives are combined birth control. That means they contain both ethanol estradiol, the synthetic form of estrogen , and progestin norethindrone, the synthetic form of progesterone.
Progestin prevents pregnancy by suppressing ovulation. Estradiol is added mainly to reduce the risk of unpredictable and breakthrough bleeding , Ramanadhan explains. The major difference between various types of chewable birth control pills is simply the level of the estradiol and progestin they contain, she adds. The original chewable birth control pill, Femcon Fe, is discontinued.
However, you can still buy many other chewable birth control pills from other brands. They all have relatively similar formulas, Ramanadhan says. Chewable birth control has the same effectiveness and benefits as other combined birth control pills, Edwardson says. Another upside to chewable birth control: You can stop taking it any time you want.
With some other methods, like birth control implants, you have to visit your doctor to have the device removed. Although although combined birth control may help with some types of migraines, it should not be used by people who have migraine with aura. Chewable birth control carries the same side effects as other combination birth control pills, Edwardson says.
Most are mild and go away on their own within a few months of use. The main downside specific to chewable birth control is the limited options compared with standard birth control pills.
Whether you decide to swallow or chew the pill does not alter its effectiveness. Do not dissolve Femcon Fe pills in your mouth. This can affect its absorption and the bioavailability of estrogen and progestin in the bloodstream.
There are certain advantages to taking Femcon Fe compared to other types of hormonal and non-hormonal birth control. There is a low incidence of spotting or breakthrough bleeding between periods while on Femcon Fe. Combination birth control pills, like Femcon Fe, offer additional benefits beyond pregnancy prevention. The main disadvantages to Femcon Fe, or any birth control pill for that matter, are side effects. With that said, there is a low incidence of side effects with Femcon Fe.
Side effects of Femcon Fe tend to go away after two to three months of use. Another rare but serious complication of combination birth control pills is the development of blood clots in the heart, lungs, brain, or legs. Users who are confined to bed or immobilized appear to be at the greatest risk. In order to obtain a prescription for Femcon Fe, you will usually need to have a medical evaluation, blood pressure check, and possibly a pelvic exam by a healthcare provider.
Generic versions are available and tend to be less costly. Medicaid and most private insurance plans will cover the cost of birth control pills, either fully or in part. Femcon Fe is a safe and effective birth control option for most users. It is important to discuss your complete medical history with your healthcare provider before using Femcon Fe. Serious side effects are rare with Femcon Fe and do not occur very often with most birth control pills.
Sign up for our Health Tip of the Day newsletter, and receive daily tips that will help you live your healthiest life.
Allergen Pharmaceuticals. Package insert - Femcon Fe.
0コメント