Vienva Birth Control Pill: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, Reviews
What is Vienva?
Vienva is a combination birth control pill containing female hormones (ethinyl estradiol and levonorgestrel) that prevent ovulation (the release of an egg from an ovary). Vienva also causes changes in your cervical mucus and uterine lining, making it harder for sperm to reach the uterus and harder for a fertilized egg to attach to the uterus.
Vienva is used as contraception to prevent pregnancy. There are many brands and forms of this medicine available.
What should I tell my health care provider before I take Vienva?
They need to know if you have or ever had any of these conditions:
• blood vessel disease or blood clots
• blood sugar problems, like diabetes
• cancer of the breast, cervix, ovary, uterus, vagina, or unusual vaginal bleeding
• fibroids
• gallbladder disease
• heart disease or recent heart attack
• high blood pressure
• liver disease
• menstrual problems
• migraine headaches
• tobacco smoker
• stroke
• an unusual or allergic reaction to estrogens, progestins, other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives
• pregnant or trying to get pregnant
• breast-feeding
How should I use Vienva?
Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Use the medicine exactly as directed.
Take your first pill on the first day of your period or on the first Sunday after your period begins. You may need to use back-up birth control, such as condoms or a spermicide, when you first start using this medicine. Follow your doctor’s instructions.
Take one pill every day, no more than 24 hours apart. When the pills run out, start a new pack the following day. You may get pregnant if you do not take one pill daily. Get your prescription refilled before you run out of pills completely.
Some birth control packs contain seven “reminder” pills to keep you on your regular cycle. Your period will usually begin while you are using these reminder pills.
Use backup birth control if you are sick with severe vomiting or diarrhea.
You may have breakthrough bleeding, especially during the first 3 months. Tell your doctor if this bleeding continues or is very heavy.
If you need major surgery or will be on long-term bed rest, you may need to stop using this medicine for a short time. Any doctor or surgeon who treats you should know that you are using birth control pills.
While taking birth control pills, you will need to visit your doctor regularly.
Overdosage: If you think you have taken too much of this medicine, contact a poison control center or emergency room at once.
What if I miss a dose?
Call your doctor or pharmacist for instructions.
This medicine has specific patient instructions on what to do if you miss a dose. Read and follow these instructions carefully and call your doctor if you have any questions.
- If you miss one active pill: Take it as soon as you can, then take your next pill at your regular schedule. This means you may take 2 pills in 1 day.
- If you miss two active pills in week 1 or 2: Take two pills as soon as you can and two more pills the next day. Continue taking one pill a day until you finish the pack. Use a second form of birth control (eg, condom, spermicide) for 7 days after you miss a dose.
- If you miss two active pills in week 3, or you miss three or more active pills in a row in weeks 1, 2, or 3:
- Day 1 start: Throw out the rest of the pack and start a new pack that same day. Use a second form of birth control (eg, condom, spermicide) for 7 days after you miss a dose.
- Sunday start: Continue taking one pill a day until Sunday, then throw out the rest of the pack and start a new pack that same day. Use a second form of birth control (eg, condom, spermicide) for 7 days after you miss a dose, to prevent pregnancy.
- You could have light bleeding or spotting if you do not take a pill on time. The more pills you miss, the more likely you are to have bleeding.
- Make sure your doctor knows if you miss your period 2 months in a row, because this could mean that you are pregnant.
What may interact with Vienva?
Do not take this medicine with the following medication:
• dasabuvir; ombitasvir; paritaprevir; ritonavir
• ombitasvir; paritaprevir; ritonavir
This medicine may also interact with the following medications:
• acetaminophen
• antibiotics or medicines for infections, especially rifampin, rifabutin, rifapentine, and griseofulvin, and possibly penicillins or tetracyclines
• aprepitant
• ascorbic acid (vitamin C)
• atorvastatin
• barbiturate medicines, such as phenobarbital
• bosentan
• carbamazepine
• caffeine
• clofibrate
• cyclosporine
• dantrolene
• doxercalciferol
• felbamate
• grapefruit juice
• hydrocortisone
• medicines for anxiety or sleeping problems, such as diazepam or temazepam
• medicines for diabetes, including pioglitazone
• mineral oil
• modafinil
• mycophenolate
• nefazodone
• oxcarbazepine
• phenytoin
• prednisolone
• ritonavir or other medicines for HIV infection or AIDS
• rosuvastatin
• selegiline
• soy isoflavones supplements
• St. John’s wort
• tamoxifen or raloxifene
• theophylline
• thyroid hormones
• topiramate
• warfarin
This list may not describe all possible interactions. Give your health care provider a list of all the medicines, herbs, non-prescription drugs, or dietary supplements you use. Also tell them if you smoke, drink alcohol, or use illegal drugs. Some items may interact with your medicine.
What should I watch for while using Vienva?
Emergency birth control is not to be used routinely to prevent pregnancy. Discuss birth control options with your health care provider. Make a follow-up appointment to see your health care provider in 3 to 4 weeks after using this medicine.
It is common to have spotting after using this medicine. If you miss your next period, the possibility of pregnancy must be considered. See your health care professional as soon as you can and get a pregnancy test.
Smoking increases the risk of getting a blood clot or having a stroke while you are taking birth control pills, especially if you are more than 35 years old. You are strongly advised not to smoke.
This medicine does not protect you against HIV infection (AIDS) or any other sexually transmitted diseases.
What side effects may I notice from receiving Vienva?
Side effects that you should report to your doctor or health care professional as soon as possible:
• Severe side effects are not common. However, the potential for severe side effects may exist and you may want to discuss these with your health care provider.
Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your doctor or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):
• abdominal pain or cramping
• breast tenderness
• dizziness
• nausea/vomiting (report any vomiting that occurs within 1 hour of a dose)
• spotting
This list may not describe all possible side effects. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
