What is the most important information I should know about Aygestin?

• Using Aygestin while you are pregnant can cause harm to the unborn baby. Do not use Aygestin if you are pregnant. Stop using the medication and tell your doctor if you become pregnant during treatment.
• Avoid smoking cigarettes while taking Aygestin. Smoking increases your risk of developing a heart attack, stroke, or blood clot.
• Aygestin does not protect you from sexually transmitted diseases — including HIV and AIDS. Using a condom is the only way to help protect yourself from these diseases.

What is Aygestin?

• Aygestin is a form of progesterone, a female hormone.
• Aygestin is used for birth control (contraception) to prevent pregnancy. Aygestin is also used to treat menstrual disorders, endometriosis, or abnormal vaginal bleeding caused by a hormone imbalance.
• Aygestin may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before using Aygestin?

• Aygestin is in the FDA pregnancy category X. This means that using the medication while you are pregnant can cause birth defects in the baby. Do not take Aygestin if you are pregnant. Stop taking the medication and tell your doctor if you become pregnant. If you plan to become pregnant after you stop taking Aygestin, ask your doctor how long you should wait before trying to get pregnant.
• You should not take Aygestin if you have:
  • a history of stroke or blood clots;
  • liver disease;
  • a history of stroke or blood clots;
  • cancer of the breast of ovary;
  • unusual vaginal bleeding that a doctor has not diagnosed; or
  • complications from a recent miscarriage or abortion.
• Taking Aygestin may be dangerous if you have any of the conditions listed above.
• Before taking Aygestin, tell your doctor if you have:
  • high blood pressure, angina, or heart disease;
  • a bleeding disorder such as hemophilia;
  • diabetes;
  • high cholesterol;
  • migraines;
  • a history of depression or mental illness;
  • asthma; or
  • seizures or epilepsy.
• If you have any of the conditions listed above, you may not be able to use Aygestin or you may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during treatment.
• This medication can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. Do not use Aygestin without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding.
• Taking Aygestin can cause you to have unusual results to certain medical tests. Tell any doctor who treats you that you are using Aygestin.

How should I take Aygestin?

• The dose schedule for Aygestin may be different for birth control than for treating other conditions. To best treat your condition, Aygestin should be used exactly as your doctor has prescribed it for you. Do not use more of the medication than recommended. Do not take Aygestin for longer than your doctor has prescribed.
• Take the medication at the same time each dose day. Taking a pill late or missing a pill can increase your chances of having breakthrough bleeding or getting pregnant.
• For birth control, start a new pack of pills the day after your last pack is finished. There is no break between packs.
• If you vomit soon after taking Aygestin, use a backup method of birth control (such as a condom and/ or spermicide) for 48 hours.
• You may have some light bleeding or spotting between periods. Continue taking Aygestin even if this occurs.
• If your menstrual period is late you may be pregnant. If it has been more than 45 says since the start of your last period, call your doctor or use a home pregnancy test.
• You will need to have yearly physical exams and Pap smears while you are using Aygestin. Examine your breasts at home every month to check for lumps. It is important that you not miss any scheduled visits to your doctor.
• After you stop using Aygestin, you may start bleeding within a few days.
• Store Aygestin at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

What happens if I miss a dose?

• Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. Then take the next dose at your regularly scheduled time. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.
• If you were more than 3 hours late in taking your dose, use a backup method of birth control (such as a condom and/ or spermicide). Keep using the backup method for at least 48 hours to ensure protection from pregnancy.
• If you are not sure what to do about a missed dose, keep taking Aygestin and use a backup method of birth control until you can talk to your doctor.

What happens if I overdose?

• An overdose of Aygestin is not likely to cause serious overdose symptoms. Call your doctor if you think you have used too much of this medicine.
• Symptoms of a Aygestin overdose have not been reported.

What should I avoid while taking Aygestin?

• Women who use hormone medication should not smoke. Smoking will increase your risk of having a serious side effect from Aygestin, such as heart attack, stroke, or a blood clot.
• Aygestin does not protect you from sexually transmitted diseases — including HIV and AIDS. Using a condom is the only way to protect yourself from these diseases.

What are the possible side effects of Aygestin?

• Stop using Aygestin and call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:
  • an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of your throat; swelling of your lips, tongue, or face; or hives);
  • abnormal vaginal bleeding;
  • late or missed menstrual period;
  • a partial or complete loss of vision, blurred vision, double vision, or a sudden onset of bulging eyes;
  • sudden and severe headache, pain behind your eyes, dizziness or fainting;
  • speech problems;
  • vomiting or jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes); or
  • sudden or severe pain in your lower stomach.
• Other, less serious side effects may be more likely to occur. Continue to take Aygestin and talk to your doctor if you experience:
  • nausea;
  • swollen or tender breasts;
  • sleep problems (insomnia);
  • depression, mood swings;
  • acne, freckles, or darkened skin areas;
  • increased hair growth;
  • weight gain or loss; or
  • changes in your menstrual cycle or vaginal discharge.
• Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.

What other drugs will affect Aygestin?

• Before taking Aygestin, tell your doctor if you are taking any of the following medicines:
  • rifampin (Rifadin);
  • phenytoin (Dilantin);
  • carbamazepine (Tegretol); or
  • a barbiturate such as amobarbital (Amytal), butabarbital (Butisol), mephobarbital (Mebaral), secobarbital (Seconal), or phenobarbital (Luminal, Solfoton).
• If you are using any of these drugs, Aygestin may not work as well and you may get pregnant. You may need to use a second form of birth control if you are taking any of the medicines listed above.
• There may be other drugs not listed that can affect Aygestin. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor.