Active Ingredient	Ethinyloestradiol/Levonorgestrel
Manufacturer	Bayer Healthcare
Origin	New Zealand
Other Names	N/A
Reference	N/A

How does Levlen ED (Ethinyloestradiol/Levonorgestrel) work:

Levlen ED (Ethinyloestradiol/Levonorgestrel) is used to prevent pregnancy. It provides one of the most effective reversible methods of contraception known. Usually, when Levlen ED is taken according to the instructions, the egg cells are prevented from maturing to the point where they can be fertilised. In addition, the cervical mucus remains thick, so it is more difficult for a man`s sperm to enter the womb. Also, the lining of the womb is not prepared sufficiently for a fertilised egg to grow in.

Dosage & Administartion:

The Levlen ED pack contains 21 small round beige hormonal tablets and 7 large white non-hormonal tablets. On the pack each tablet is marked with the day of the week on which it is to be taken. Take your tablet at about the same time each day, with some water if necessary. Follow the direction of the arrows until all 28 tablets have been taken. A period (the withdrawal bleed) should begin during the 7 days of taking the large white non-hormonal tablets. Start taking your next pack on the very next day after you have completed your last pack even if your period continues. This means that you will always start new packs on the same day of the week, and also that you will have your withdrawal bleed on or about the same day each month.

Side Effects:

• contact lens intolerance
• nausea
• abdominal pain
• vomiting
• diarrhea
• hypersensitivity reactions
• fluid retention
• headache
• migraine
• depression or mood changes
• breast pain or tenderness
• breast enlargement
• vaginal discharge
• breast discharge
• rash
• hives
• erythema nodosum
• erythema multiforme
• increased / decreased libido

Precautions:

Before taking Levlen ED, you should tell your physician if you:

• smoke
• have diabetes
• are overweight
• have high blood pressure
• have a heart valve disorder or a certain heart rhythm disorder
• have an inflammation of your veins (superficial phlebitis)
• have varicose veins
• suffer from headaches
• suffer from epilepsy
• have liver, kidney or gallbladder disease
• have Crohn`s disease or ulcerative colitis
• have systemic lupus erythematosus
• have hemolytic uremic syndrome
• have sickle cell disease
• have or have had chloasma
• have hereditary angioedema

Further Information:

For details, please see Consumer Medicine Information.