Prospect: information for the patient
aileva 0.1 mg/0.02 mg film-coated tablets
levonorgestrel/etinilestradiol
Important things you should know about combined hormonal contraceptives (CHCs):
• They are one of the most reliable reversible contraceptive methods if used correctly.
• They slightly increase the risk of suffering a blood clot in the veins and arteries, especially in the first year or when restarting use of a combined hormonal contraceptive after a pause of 4 weeks or more.
• Be alert and consult your doctor if you think you may have symptoms of a blood clot (see section 2 “Blood clots”).
Read this prospect thoroughly before starting to take this medicine, because it contains important information for you.
Contents of the package and additional information.
General Considerations Before starting to use aileva, you should read the information about blood clots in section 2. It is particularly important that you read the symptoms of a blood clot (see section 2 “Blood Clots”). Before you start taking aileva, your doctor will ask you some questions about your medical history and personal relationships. Your doctor will also measure your blood pressure and may perform some other tests. In this prospectus, some situations are described in which you should stop taking aileva or where the reliability of aileva may decrease, having a risk of pregnancy. In these situations, you should not have sexual intercourse or you should take additional non-hormonal contraceptive precautions (for example, use condoms or another barrier method).. Do not use the rhythm or temperature method. These methods may not be reliable, as aileva alters the monthly changes in body temperature and cervical mucus. aileva, like other oral contraceptives, does not protect against HIV (AIDS) infection or other sexually transmitted diseases. |
Do not takeaileva
Warnings and Precautions
When should you consult your doctor?
Seek immediate medical attention
- If you notice possible signs of a blood clot that may mean you are suffering from a blood clot in the leg (i.e., deep vein thrombosis), a blood clot in the lung (i.e., pulmonary embolism), a heart attack, or a stroke (see section “Blood Clot (Thrombosis)” below).
To obtain a description of the symptoms of these serious adverse effects, see “How to Recognize a Blood Clot”.
Consult your doctor or pharmacist before starting to take aileva.
In some situations, special care may be needed when takingailevaor any combined oral contraceptive. Your doctor will monitor you regularly.Smoking cigarettes increases the risk of serious adverse reactions in the heart and blood vesselsdue to the use of oral contraceptives. This risk increases with age and with the amount of tobacco andis quite relevant in women over 35 years of age. Women who use oral contraceptives should not smoke. Women over 35 years of age who smoke should consider using other contraceptive methods.
Inform your doctor if you suffer from any of the following conditions.
If the condition develops or worsens while using aileva, you should also inform your doctor.
If you have hereditary angioedema, products containing estrogens can cause or worsen the symptoms of angioedema. You should go to your doctor immediately if you experience symptoms such as facial swelling, tongue, and/or throat swelling, and/or difficulty swallowing, or urticaria with difficulty breathing.
Mental Health Disorders:
Some women who use hormonal contraceptives like aileva have reported depression or a depressed mood. Depression can be severe and sometimes may induce suicidal thoughts. If you experience mood changes and depressive symptoms, contact your doctor for additional medical advice as soon as possible.
BLOOD CLOTS
The use of a combined hormonal contraceptive like aileva increases your risk of suffering a blood clot compared to not using it. In rare cases, a blood clot can block blood vessels and cause serious problems.
Blood clots can form:
The recovery of blood clots is not always complete. In rare cases, there may be long-lasting or even fatal effects.
It is essential to remember that the overall risk of a harmful blood clot due to aileva is small.
HOW TO RECOGNIZE A BLOOD CLOT
Seek immediate medical attentionif you notice any of the following signs or symptoms.
Do you experience any of these signs? | What could you be suffering from? |
| Deep vein thrombosis |
If you are unsure, consult a doctor, as some of these symptoms, such as coughing or shortness of breath, can be confused with a milder condition like a common cold. | Pulmonary embolism |
Symptoms that occur more frequently in one eye:
| Retinal vein thrombosis (blood clot in the eye). |
| Heart attack. |
| |
Sometimes the symptoms of a stroke may be brief, with almost immediate and complete recovery, but you should still seek immediate medical attention as you may be at risk of another stroke. | Stroke |
| Blood clots that block other blood vessels. |
BLOOD CLOTS IN A VEIN
What can happen if a blood clot forms in a vein?
When is the risk of a blood clot in a vein higher?
The risk of a blood clot in a vein is higher during the first year in which you start taking a combined hormonal contraceptive for the first time. The risk may be higher if you restart taking a combined hormonal contraceptive (the same medication or a different medication) after an interruption of 4 weeks or more.
After the first year, the risk decreases, but it is always slightly higher than if you were not taking a combined hormonal contraceptive.
When you stop taking aileva, your risk of a blood clot returns to normal in a few weeks.
What is the risk of a blood clot?
The risk depends on your natural risk of VTE and the type of combined hormonal contraceptive you are taking.
The overall risk of a blood clot in the leg or lung (DVT or PE) with aileva is small.
Risk of developing a blood clot in a year | |
Women whodo not usea combined hormonal contraceptive and are not pregnant | About 2 out of every 10,000 women |
Women who use a combined hormonal contraceptive containinglevonorgestrel, noretisterone, or norgestimato | About 5-7 out of every 10,000 women |
Women who use aileva | About 5-7 out of every 10,000 women |
Factors that increase your risk of a blood clot in a vein
Your risk of a blood clot with ailevais small, but some conditions increase the risk. Your risk is higher:
Your risk of a blood clot increases the more conditions you have.
Long flights (over 4 hours) may temporarily increase your risk of a blood clot, especially if you have any of the other risk factors listed.
It is essential to inform your doctor if you suffer from any of the conditions above, even if you are unsure. Your doctor may decide that you need to stop takingaileva.
If any of the conditions above change while you are usingaileva, for example, a close relative experiences a blood clot without a known cause or you gain a lot of weight, inform your doctor.
BLOOD CLOTS IN AN ARTERY
What can happen if a blood clot forms in an artery?
Like a blood clot in a vein, a blood clot in an artery can cause serious problems. For example, it can cause a heart attack or a stroke.
Factors that increase your risk of a blood clot in an artery
It is essential to note that the risk of a heart attack or stroke due to ailevais very small, but it may increase:
If you have one or more of these conditions or if any of them are particularly severe, your risk of a blood clot may be increased even further.
If any of the conditions above change while you are usingaileva, for example, you start smoking, a close relative experiences a blood clot without a known cause, or you gain a lot of weight, inform your doctor.
aileva and Cancer
There has been a slightly higher incidence of breast cancer diagnosed in women whouse the combined pill, but it is unknown whether the cancer is caused by the pill.It is possible that these women are simply examined more rigorously and frequently, so there would be a greater chance of detecting breast cancer before it becomes a problem.The increased risk disappears gradually after 10 years of stopping the use of combined hormonal contraceptives. It is essential to have regular breast checks and to contact your doctor if you notice any lumps.
There have been studies in which cases of cervical cancer have been reported in women who take combined pills for a relatively long period. Currently, it is unknown whether this is caused by the pill or is related to sexual behavior (e.g., more frequent changes of partner) and other factors.
In rare cases, benign liver tumors and even malignant liver tumors have been described in patients taking the pill. Contact your doctor if you have severe and unusual abdominal pain.
Menstrual Bleeding
During the first few monthsof takingaileva, you may experience unexpected bleeding (hemorrhages or spotting outside of the pill-free week).If these bleeding episodes last more than a few months or start after a few months, your doctor will investigate the cause.
What to do if there is no bleeding during the pill-free week
Some women do not have bleeding during the pill-free week.
If you have taken all the pills correctly(following the instructions provided), have not had severe vomiting or diarrhea, and have not taken any other medication, it is unlikely that you are pregnant.
If you have missed a period or have not taken the pills correctly, or if you have taken the pills but have not had bleeding during the pill-free week, you should consult your doctor immediatelyas you may be pregnant.Do not start a new pack until you are sure you are not pregnant.
Taking aileva with other medications
Inform your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking, have taken recently, or may need to take any other medication.
There are medications that can interact withaileva.
Medications can sometimes interfere with each other. If you are receiving treatment from another doctor, nurse, or qualified healthcare professional, make sure they are aware that you are takingailevaas a contraceptive.
They may advise you to take additional precautions (e.g., use condoms or other barrier methods) while taking other medications withaileva.
Some medicationsmay makeailevaless effective in preventing pregnancy, or may cause unexpected bleeding.
If you have been advised to take additional contraceptive precautions while taking one of the medications mentioned above, follow your doctor's instructions carefullyas you may need to use a non-hormonal backup method of contraception.If you need to continue taking the medication after finishing your current pack, do not skip the pill-free week and start a new pack immediately.
In some cases, you may need to continue using a barrier contraceptive method for several weeks after stopping the medication.
ailevamay interact with the following medications:
Taking a medication called troleandomycin can increase the risk of intrahepatic cholestasis (retention of bile in the liver) during treatment with the combined pill.
Taking a medication called flunarizine used to prevent migraines can increase the risk of galactorrhea. This is a condition in which the breasts secrete milk spontaneously without being pregnant or having recently given birth.
Do not takeailevaif you have hepatitis C and are taking medications that contain ombitasvir / paritaprevir / ritonavir, dasabuvir, glecaprevir/pibrentasvir, or sofosbuvir/velpatasvir/voxilaprevir, as these medications can cause increases in liver enzyme levels (ALT).
Your doctor will prescribe another type of contraceptive before starting treatment with these medications.ailevacan be used again approximately 2 weeks after completing this treatment. See the section “Do not takeaileva”.
Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or if you suspect you may be pregnant, consult your doctor or pharmacist before using this medication.
Consult your doctor or pharmacist before using any medication.
It is not recommended to take the combined pill while breastfeedingas the hormones may affect the milk. If you want to breastfeed, your doctor will advise you on suitable alternative contraceptive methods.Consult your doctor, nurse, or healthcare professional before using any medication.
Driving and Operating Machines
No studies have been conducted on the effect ofailevaon the ability to drive or operate machines. Dizziness has been reported as an adverse effect. If you experience dizziness, do not drive or operate machines until the symptoms have resolved.
aileva contains lactose.
This medication contains lactose. If your doctor has told you that you have a lactose intolerance, consult them before taking this medication.
Follow exactly the administration instructions of this medication indicated by your doctor or pharmacist. In case of doubt, consult your doctor or pharmacist again.
Each blister pack contains 21 tablets.You should take the first tablet from the blister pack on the correct day of the week.Take one tablet every day, with water if necessary, and at the same time every day until the pack is finished..
You will have a week off from taking tablets before starting the next pack of tablets. Always start the next pack on the same day of the week.
During the week off from taking tablets, you will have a bleeding similar to your period. This bleeding usually starts after two or three days, and may not have finished before starting the next pack of tablets.
If this is the first time you start taking the pill or you have not used any hormonal contraceptive in the past month
Take the first tablet on the first day of your period.
If you start after the first day of your period (days 2-7 of the cycle), you will need to use an additional barrier method of contraception (e.g., condoms) for the first 7 days.
If you are changing from a combined oral contraceptive pill
If you are taking pills that contain 21 tablets in the pack
Finish the pack of the current pill, and start takingailevathe next day, without a break.
If you are taking "daily" pills that contain 28 tablets in the pack
If your current pack of pills contains inactive tablets (placebo), do not take these tablets, and start withailevathe next day without leaving a break.
If you are changing from a pill that only contains a progestogen, an injection, or an implant
In all cases, you should use a barrier method of contraception during the first 7 days of taking the pill.
If you start taking aileva after a first-trimester abortion (3 months) of pregnancy
You can start takingailevaimmediately, but you should follow your doctor's advice before doing so. No additional barrier method of contraception is needed.
If you start taking aileva after having a baby or after a second-trimester abortion
Like any other oral contraceptive, aileva should not be initiated before 28 days after giving birth, or after a second-trimester abortion, as the risk of blood clots increases. If you start later, you are recommended to use a barrier method of contraception during the first 7 days you take the pill. If you have had sex before starting with aileva, make sure you are not pregnant or wait until your next period.
Consult your doctor in case of doubt.
If you take more aileva than you should
If you accidentally take more aileva than you should, you may experience symptoms including gastrointestinal problems (e.g., nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain), breast tenderness, dizziness, numbness/fatigue, and vaginal bleeding. These symptoms will naturally decrease as your body handles the excess hormones.
Consult your doctor if you are concerned.
In case of overdose or accidental ingestion, consult your doctor or pharmacist immediately or call the Toxicology Information Service, phone: 91 562 04 20, indicating the medication and the amount ingested.
If you forget to take aileva
There is a risk of pregnancy if you forget to take a tablet |
The risk of incomplete protection against pregnancy is greater if you forget to take a tablet at the beginning or end of a pack. Therefore, you should follow the rules below (see also the diagram, later):
Consult your doctor.
Take the forgotten tablet as soon as you remember, even if it means taking two tablets at the same time. Take the tablets afterwards at the usual time and take extra precautions for the next 7 days, for example, a condom. If you have had sex in the week before the mistake, or if you forgot to start a new pack after your period, you should be aware that there is a risk of pregnancy. In that case, consult your doctor.
Take the forgotten tablet as soon as you remember, even if it means taking two tablets at the same time. Take the tablets afterwards at the usual time. The protection against pregnancy is not reduced and you do not need to take extra precautions.
You can choose between two options:
Take the tablets afterwards at the usual time. Instead of the week off from taking tablets, start the next pack immediately.
It is likely that you will have a menstrual period (withdrawal bleeding) at the end of the second pack, but you may also have spotting or bleeding while taking the second pack.
If you follow one of these two recommendations, you will still be protected against pregnancy.
If you forgot to take one of the tablets from a pack and do not have bleeding in the first break, it may mean you are pregnant. You should contact your doctor before continuing with the next pack.
If you experience vomiting or diarrhea
If you vomit or have severe diarrhea within 4 hours of taking the tablet, it is as if you forgot to take the tablet. After vomiting or diarrhea, you should take another tablet from the spare pack as soon as possible. If possible, take it within the next 12 hours or when you normally take the pill. If not possible or more than 12 hours have passed, you should follow the recommendations given in "If you realize you have forgotten to take a tablet more than 12 hours after the usual time of taking."
If the episodes of vomiting or diarrhea are repeated over several days, a barrier method of contraception (e.g., condoms) should be used until the start of the next pack. Consult your doctor in case of doubt.
How to delay your period
You can delay your period by starting another pack ofailevaimmediately without leaving a break.You may have some spotting or bleeding while taking the second pack, but you do not need to worry about this. You should have a normal menstrual period after finishing the second pack.
Like all medicines, this medicine can cause side effects, although not everyone will experience them.
If you experience any side effect, especially if it is severe and persistent, or if you have any health changes that you think may be related to aileva, consult your doctor.
All women taking combined hormonal contraceptives are at a higher risk of developing blood clots in the veins (venous thromboembolism (VTE)) or blood clots in the arteries (arterial thromboembolism (ATE)). For more detailed information on the different risks of taking combined hormonal contraceptives, see section 2 “What you need to know before starting to take aileva”.
If you experience any of the following severe side effects, consult your doctor immediately:
The symptoms consist of sudden wheezing, difficulty breathing or dizziness, swelling of the eyelids, face, lips, or throat, skin rash, hives.
The symptoms consist of loss of vision, eye pain and swelling, especially if they are sudden.
The symptoms consist of vomiting, diarrhea (which may be bloody), fever, feeling weak, urinating less than usual.
The symptoms consist of severe upper abdominal pain that may radiate to the back.
The risk of having a blood clot may be higher if you have any other condition that increases this risk (see section 2 for more information on conditions that increase the risk of blood clots and the symptoms of a blood clot).
The symptoms consist of a skin rash with pink-red patches, especially on the palms or soles of the feet, which may blister. You may also have ulcers in the mouth, eyes, or genitals, and have a fever.
Other side effects include:
Very common (may affect more than 1 in 10 people)
Common (may affect up to 1 in 10 people)
Uncommon (may affect up to 1 in 100 people)
Rare (may affect up to 1 in 1,000 people)
Frequency unknown:cannot be estimated from available data
If you are concerned about new symptoms or other aspects of your health while taking aileva, consult your doctor.
Reporting of side effects
If you experience any type of side effect, consult your doctor or pharmacist, even if it is a possible side effect that does not appear in this leaflet. You can also report them directly through the Spanish System for the Vigilance of Medicinal Products for Human Use https://www.notificaRAM.es. By reporting side effects, you can contribute to providing more information on the safety of this medicine.
Keep this medication out of the sight and reach of children. Do not store at a temperature above 86°F (30°C).
Do not use Aileva after the expiration date that appears on the outer packaging and on the blister pack after CAD. The expiration date is the last day of the month indicated.
Medicines should not be disposed of through drains or in the trash. Dispose of the containers and medicines you no longer need at the SIGRE collection point at the pharmacy . If in doubt, ask your pharmacist how to dispose of the containers and medicines you no longer need. In this way, you will help protect the environment.
Composition of aileva
The active principles are levonorgestrel and etinilestradiol.
Each tablet contains 0.1 mg of levonorgestrel and 0.02 mg of etinilestradiol. The other components (excipients) are lactose monohydrate, potassium polacrilex, microcrystalline cellulose, magnesium stearate, and opadry II pink: poly(vinyl alcohol), talc (E553b), titanium dioxide (E171), Macrogol 3350, iron oxide red (E172), and iron oxide yellow (E172).
Appearance of aileva and contents of the packaging
Marketing Authorization Holder
Laboratorios Cinfa, S.A.
Carretera Olaz-Chipi, 10. Polígono Industrial Areta.
31620 Huarte (Navarra) - Spain
Responsible for Manufacturing
Cyndea Pharma, S.L.
Pol. Ind. Emiliano Revilla Sanz
Av. De Ágreda 31, 42110 Ólvega;
Soria
Spain
O
Laboratorios Cinfa, S.A.
Carretera Olaz-Chipi, 10. Polígono Industrial Areta.
31620 Huarte (Navarra) - Spain
Last review date of this leaflet: September 2023
"Detailed and updated information on this medicine is available on the website of the Spanish Agency for Medicines and Medical Devices (AEMPS)" http://www.aemps.gob.es/ "
You can access detailed and updated information on this medicine by scanning the QR code included in the leaflet and packaging with your smartphone. You can also access this information at the following internet address: https://cima.aemps.es/cima/dochtml/p/82082/P_82082.html
QR code to: https://cima.aemps.es/cima/dochtml/p/82082/P_82082.html
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