Before you begin using a medication, be sure to inform your doctor of any medical conditions or Allergies you may have, any medications you are taking, whether you are pregnant or breast-feeding, and any other significant facts about your health. These factors may affect how you should use Marvelon.
Blood Clots: As with any hormonal contraceptives, there is a risk of developing blood clots. Tell your doctor if you have a history of blood clots or are at risk of developing blood clots. Let your doctor know if you are planning an upcoming surgery or if you will be immobilized or inactive for a prolonged period of time (i.e., due to accident or illness), as there is an increased risk of blood clot formation when using oral contraceptives.
If you experience crushing chest pain or heaviness, pain in the calf, sudden shortness of breath, vision changes or speech changes, sudden severe headache, weakness or numbness in an arm or leg, or are coughing blood, get immediate medical attention as these symptoms could indicate a possible blood clot.
Blood pressure: If you have high blood pressure, discuss with your doctor how Marvelon may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of Marvelon, and whether any special monitoring is needed.
You may need to visit your doctor more frequently to have your blood pressure checked while using Marvelon. Occasionally, high blood pressure may develop with the use of hormonal contraceptives. This may require stopping Marvelon.
Breast cancer: The most significant risk factors for breast cancer are increasing age and a strong history of breast cancer in the family (mother or sister). Other established risk factors include Obesity, never having children, and having your first full-term pregnancy at a late age.
Some women who use birth control pills may be at increased risk of developing breast cancer before Menopause. These women may be long-term users of birth control pills (more than 8 years) or women who started using birth control pills at an early age. In a few women, the use of birth control pills may accelerate the growth of an existing but undiagnosed breast cancer. Early diagnosis, however, can reduce the effect of breast cancer on a woman's life expectancy. The potential risks related to birth control pills seem to be small; however, a yearly breast examination is recommended for all women.
Cervical cancer: Some studies have found an increase of cancer of the cervix in women who use hormonal contraceptives, although this finding may be related to factors other than the use of oral contraceptives. However, there is insufficient evidence to rule out the possibility that oral contraceptives may cause such cancers.
Chronic infection with the human papillomavirus (HPV) is believed to be the most important risk factor for cervical cancer. Women who use combination oral contraceptives (COCs) for a long time may have a slightly higher chance of getting cervical cancer. This finding may not be caused by the contraceptive itself but may be related to sexual behavior and other factors.
Cigarette smoking and heart disease: Cigarette smoking is known to increase the risk of serious heart disease and death. Birth control pills also increase this risk, particularly as a woman gets older. Women over 35 years of age who are heavy smokers (more than 15 cigarettes per day) should not use the birth control pill.
All women are urged not to smoke while taking Marvelon. Other factors that increase your risk of heart disease include diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol levels, or a family history of these conditions. It is unclear whether taking the birth control pill increases this risk.
For women who have a low risk of heart disease and do not smoke, the benefits of using low-dose birth control pills outweigh the possible risks of heart disease, regardless of age. These women may continue to use birth control pills up to the age of menopause.
Decreased Effectiveness: The effectiveness of desogestrel – ethinyl estradiol may be decreased as a result of missing doses, conditions that cause digestive tract disturbances such as diarrhea, or other drug interactions that decrease the amount of desogestrel – ethinyl estradiol in the bloodstream.
Depression: Women with a history of depression may find Marvelon makes the symptoms return or worsen. If you have a history of depression or other emotional problems, discuss with your doctor how Marvelon may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of Marvelon, and whether any special monitoring is needed.
If you have a history of depression or other emotional problems you may be more likely to have a recurrence while taking oral birth control medications.
Diabetes: If you have diabetes, or have a family history of diabetes, discuss with your doctor how Marvelon may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of Marvelon, and whether any special monitoring is needed.
If you have diabetes, it may be necessary to test your blood sugar more often to detect any worsening of blood sugar control after starting birth control pills.
Eye disorders: Women who are taking birth control pills may experience fluid buildup in the cornea of the eye that may cause vision changes. This fluid buildup may also mean that your contact lenses may not fit as well as they used to, especially if you have hard contact lenses. Soft contact lenses usually do not cause problems. If your contact lenses feel uncomfortable, talk to your eye doctor.
Gallbladder disease: If you use hormonal contraceptives you have a greater risk of developing gallbladder disease requiring surgery within the first year of use. The risk may double after 4 or 5 years of use. Talk to your doctor if you have any concerns.
Liver disease: Although uncommon, the use of hormonal contraceptives has been associated with liver problems, including liver tumours. See your doctor as soon as possible if you develop signs of liver problems such as yellow eyes or skin, abdominal pain, dark urine, pale stools, or itchy skin.
Return to fertility: After stopping birth control therapy, you should delay pregnancy until at least one normal spontaneous menstrual cycle has occurred in order to date the pregnancy. An alternative birth control method should be used during this time. If you do not menstruate for 6 months or more after stopping birth control pills, notify your doctor.
Serious warnings and precautions: The use of oral contraceptive pills is associated with increased risk of several serious conditions including myocardial infarction (heart attack), thromboembolism (blood clot that breaks loose and travels to another part of the body), stroke, liver cancer, and gallbladder disease, although the risk of serious morbidity and mortality is small in healthy women without underlying risk factors.
Sexually transmitted infections (STIs): Birth control pills do not protect against HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs; formerly known as sexually transmitted diseases or STDs). It is recommended that latex condoms be used in combination with Marvelon to protect against these infections.
Surgery: If you are having scheduled surgery in the near future, make sure you let all the doctors involved in your care know that you are taking Marvelon. Being immobile for a period of time, such as when you are recovering from surgery, may increase your risk of developing a blood clot. Your doctor may want you to stop taking Marvelon for a short time before your surgery and while you are recovering.
Pregnancy: Marvelon should not be used during pregnancy. If you become pregnant while taking Marvelon, or think that you may be pregnant, contact your doctor as soon as possible.
Breast-feeding: The hormones in Marvelon pass into breast milk. These hormones may reduce the quantity and quality of the breast milk. Breast-feeding women should use another form of birth control until they are no longer breast-feeding. Talk to your doctor about your options.
Children: The safety and effectiveness of using Marvelon have not been established for children less than 18 years of age.
