Ethinyl Estradiol And Levonorgestrel (EC): How Should I Take Ethinyl Estradiol And Levonorgestrel Ec

Content provided by Cerner Multum, Inc.

How should I take ethinyl estradiol and levonorgestrel (EC)?

Take ethinyl estradiol and levonorgestrel (EC) exactly as directed by your doctor. If you do not understand these directions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explain them to you.

Read the entire patient information book before using the ethinyl estradiol and levonorgestrel emergency contraceptive kit.

Use the pregnancy test provided to determine if you are already pregnant from sex earlier in the month or in a previous month. Ethinyl estradiol and levonorgestrel (EC) will not be effective if you are already pregnant.

To use the pregnancy test:

• Remove the test stick from the foil wrapper and take off the protective cap covering the absorbent tip. Hold the test stick with the absorbent tip pointing downward and place the tip into your urine stream for at least five seconds so that the entire tip is wet.
• Do not urinate on the windows of the test stick.
• Remove the test stick from your urine stream and lay the test stick on a flat surface with the windows facing up. Wait at least three minutes after exposure to your urine, but not more than 20 minutes, for the results. The test is ready to be read when you see a pink/purple line in the square control window. You must see a line in the square control window in order for the test to be valid. Contact your doctor if you do not see the pink/purple line in the square control window.

If a pink/purple line appears in the round window, you are pregnant. Do not take ethinyl estradiol and levonorgestrel (EC), it will not work. Contact your doctor immediately. The test may show that you are pregnant when you are not if you have had a miscarriage or have given birth within the past 8 weeks. Ask your doctor for help in interpreting the test if you have recently been pregnant.

If no pink/purple line appears in the round window, the test is negative and you are not pregnant. Take two ethinyl estradiol and levonorgestrel (EC) tablets as soon as possible and within 72 hours of having unprotected sex. Take the second dose of two tablets 12 hours after the first dose.

The first dose of ethinyl estradiol and levonorgestrel (EC) must be taken as soon as possible and within 72 hours of having unprotected sex, and the second dose 12 hours following the first, to be effective.

If you vomit within one hour of taking either dose of ethinyl estradiol and levonorgestrel (EC), contact your doctor.

Schedule a follow-up visit with your doctor for three weeks after taking ethinyl estradiol and levonorgestrel (EC).

Contact your doctor as soon as possible if you miss your period following the use of ethinyl estradiol and levonorgestrel (EC).

Ethinyl estradiol and levonorgestrel (EC) is not intended for use as ongoing pregnancy protection and should not be used as a routine form of contraception.

Store ethinyl estradiol and levonorgestrel (EC) at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

Last updated:	June 28, 2006