Important things you should know about combined hormonal contraceptives (CHCs):
1. What is Levesialle Diario and for what it is used
2. What you need to know before starting to take Levesialle Diario.
3. How to take Levesialle Diario.
4. Possible side effects
5. Storage of Levesialle Diario.
6. Contents of the pack and additional information
Levesialle Diario is a contraceptive and is used to prevent pregnancy.
Each pink tablet contains a small amount of two different female hormones, known as levonorgestrel and ethinyl estradiol.
The white tablets do not contain an active ingredient and are called placebo tablets.
Contraceptives that contain two hormones are called "combined" tablets. Levesialle Diario is referred to as "low-dose" because it contains only a small amount of hormones.
General Considerations Before starting to use Levesialle Diario, 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 starting to take Levesialle Diario, your doctor will ask you some questions about your personal medical history and that of your family members. Your doctor will also measure your blood pressure and, depending on your health status, perform other tests. In this prospectus, several situations are described in which you should interrupt the use of Levesialle Diario, or in which the effect of Levesialle may decrease. In these situations, you should not have sexual intercourse or take additional non-hormonal contraceptive precautions, such as the use of a condom or other barrier method. Do not use the rhythm or temperature method. These methods may not be reliable since Levesialle Diario alters the monthly changes in body temperature and cervical mucus. Levesialle Diario, like other hormonal contraceptives, does not protect against HIV (AIDS) or any other sexually transmitted disease. |
While you are on treatment with this medication, you should visit your doctor regularly, at least twice a year.
If you have unusual symptoms, such as unexplained chest, abdominal, or leg pain, you should consult your doctor immediately.
Warnings and Precautions
When should you consult your doctor? Seek immediate medical assistance - 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). For a description of the symptoms of these serious adverse effects, see the section “How to Recognize a Blood Clot”. |
Consult your doctor or pharmacist before starting to use Levesialle Diario.
Inform your doctor if you suffer from any of the following conditions
If the condition develops or worsens while you are using Levesialle Diario, you should also inform your doctor.
The use of a combined hormonal contraceptive like Levesialle Diario increases your risk of blood clots 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.
HOW TO RECOGNIZE A BLOOD CLOT
Seek immediate medical assistanceif you notice any of the following signs or symptoms.
Do you experience any of these signs? | What might it be suggesting? |
Swelling of a leg or foot or along a vein in the leg or foot, especially when accompanied by:
| 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) |
Irregular or rapid heartbeat | Heart attack |
Sometimes the symptoms of a stroke may be brief, with almost immediate and complete recovery, but you should still seek immediate medical assistance 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 a combined hormonal contraceptive is taken for the first time. The risk may be higher if you start taking a combined hormonal contraceptive again (the same medication or a different medication) after a break 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 Levesialle Diario, 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 TEV 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 Levesialle Diario is small.
Risk of a blood clot in a year | |
Women whodo not usea combined hormonal contraceptive and are not pregnant. | Approximately 2 per 10,000 women. |
women who use a combined hormonal contraceptive that containslevonorgestrel, norethisterone, or norgestimate. | Approximately 5-7 per 10,000 women. |
women who use Levesialle Diario. | Approximately 5-7 per 10,000 women. |
Factors that increase your risk of a blood clot in a vein
Your risk of a blood clot 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 have any of the conditions listed above, even if you are unsure. Your doctor may decide that you should stop taking Levesialle Diario.
If any of the conditions listed above change while you are using Levesialle Diario, for example, a close relative experiences a blood clot without a known cause or you gain a lot of weight, inform your doctor.
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.
It is essential to note that the risk of a heart attack or stroke due to Levesialle Diario is 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 listed above change while you are using Levesialle Diario, 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.
Cancer of the breast has been observed slightly more frequently in women using combined hormonal contraceptives, but it is not known whether this is due to the treatment. For example, it may be that more tumors are detected in women taking combined hormonal contraceptives because they are examined by their doctor more frequently. The incidence of breast tumors decreases gradually after stopping combined hormonal contraceptives. It is essential to undergo regular breast examinations, and you should visit your doctor if you notice any lump.
In rare cases, benign tumors in the liver have been reported in users of combined hormonal contraceptives, and even more rarely, malignant tumors. You should visit your doctor if you experience severe abdominal pain.
Cancer of the cervix has been reported in long-term users, but it is not clear whether it is due to sexual behavior or other factors such as the human papillomavirus (HPV).
Mental Disorders
Some women who use combined hormonal contraceptives like Levesialle Diario have reported depression or a depressed mood. Depression can be severe and sometimes may lead to suicidal thoughts. If you experience mood changes and depressive symptoms, contact your doctor for additional medical advice as soon as possible.
During the first few months of using Levesialle Diario, you may experience unexpected bleeding (bleeding outside of the menstrual period). If you experience these bleedings for more than a few months, or if they start after a few months, your doctor should investigate the cause.
If you have taken all the pills correctly, have not vomited, and have not had severe diarrhea, and have not taken any other medication, it is very unlikely that you are pregnant.
If you do not have two consecutive menstrual periods, you may be pregnant. In this case, visit your doctor immediately. Do not start the next pack until you are sure you are not pregnant.
Taking Levesialle Diario with other medications
Inform your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking, have taken recently, or may take any other medication. They may advise you to take additional contraceptive precautions (e.g., condoms) and, if so, for how long. |
Some medications may affect the levels of Levesialle Diario in the blood, reducing its contraceptive effect, or may cause unexpected bleeding. This may occur with:
Levesialle Diario may affect the effect of other medications, for example:
In women with diabetes, the need for hypoglycemic agents (e.g., insulin) may vary.
Troleandomycin may increase the risk of intrahepatic cholestasis during co-administration with AOCs.
Your doctor will prescribe another type of contraceptive before starting treatment with these medications.
Levesialle Diario can be taken again approximately 2 weeks after the end of this treatment. See the section “Do not use Levesialle Diario”.
Ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice before taking any medication. Inform your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking, have taken recently, or may take any other medication.
Taking Levesialle Diario with food and drinks
This medication can be taken with or without food, if necessary, with a little water. This medication should not be taken with grapefruit juice.
If you need a blood test, inform your doctor or the laboratory staff that you are taking a contraceptive, as hormonal contraceptives can affect the results of some tests.
If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or if you plan to become pregnant, consult your doctor or pharmacist before using this medication.
Pregnancy
If you are pregnant, do not take Levesialle Diario. If you become pregnant while taking Levesialle Diario, stop taking it immediately and contact your doctor. If you want to become pregnant, you can stop taking Levesialle Diario at any time (see “If you interrupt treatment with Levesialle Diario”)
Breastfeeding
Generally, it is not recommended to take Levesialle Diario during breastfeeding. If you want to take the contraceptive while breastfeeding, you should consult your doctor.
Consult your doctor or pharmacist before taking any medication.
There is no information to suggest that the use of Levesialle Diario has any effect on the ability to drive or operate machinery.
Levesialle Diario contains lactose
If your doctor has told you that you have a lactose intolerance, consult with them before taking this medication.
The coated tablet of Levesialle Diario containsaluminum lake allura (E129)andsoy lecithin, which may cause allergic reactions. Do not use this medication in case of an allergy to peanuts or soy.
If you were taking another contraceptive before starting Levesialle Diario 28 tablets, you know that most contraceptives contain 21 tablets. With these contraceptives, you take a tablet for 21 days and then there is a week without taking tablets (tablet-free interval).
The system to follow when using Levesialle Diario 28 tablets is different. After taking the 21 pink tablets, you must continue with the 7 placebo tablets and, consequently, there is no tablet-free interval, but a week of "placebo" (the week of taking the placebo tablets from row 4). Since you have to take a tablet every day and there is no tablet-free interval between the two packs, taking tablets becomes a routine and there is less risk, therefore, of forgetting to take a tablet.
The two types of tablets of different colors of Levesialle Diario 28 tablets are placed in order. One pack contains 28 tablets.
Take one Levesialle tablet every day. You can take it with or without food, if necessary with a small amount of water. You must take the tablets every day at the same time.
Do not confuse the tablets:take one pink tablet once a day for the first 21 days, and then one white tablet a day for the last 7 days. Then, you must start a new blister, immediately (21 pink tablets and 7 white tablets). Without leaving, therefore, a period of rest between the two blisters.
To help you remember to take the tablets, each pack of Levesialle Diario comes, for each blister, with a sticker that consists of 7 adhesive stickers with the days of the week printed on them. Take the sticker of the week that starts with the day you started taking the tablets. For example, if you started on a Wednesday, use the sticker that starts with "WED".
Place the sticker of the week along the blister where you can read "Place the sticker here".
Thus, for each tablet, there is a day indicated at the top and you can see, therefore, that you are taking the correct tablet. The arrows show the order in which you take the tablets.
Over the 7 days in which you take the white placebo tablets (called placebo days), menstruation (also known as withdrawal bleeding) should occur. This usually starts on the 2nd or 3rd day after the last pink Levesialle Diario tablet. Once you have taken the last white tablet, you should start with the next blister, even if you have not finished bleeding. This means that you must start each strip on the same day of the week and that withdrawal bleeding should occur on the same days of each month.
If you use Levesialle Diario in this way, you will also be protected against pregnancy during the 7 days when you take the white placebo tablets.
When can you start with the first pack:
Start taking Levesialle Diario on the first day of the cycle (i.e. the first day of your period). If you start Levesialle Diario on the first day of your menstruation, you will be protected immediately against pregnancy. You can also start on days 2-5 of the cycle, but you must use additional contraceptive methods (e.g. a condom) during the first 7 days.
You can start taking Levesialle Diario preferably on the day after taking the last active tablet (the last tablet containing active ingredients) of your previous contraceptive, or the day after removing the vaginal ring or patch, but no later than the day after the ring-free or patch-free week of your previous contraceptive (or after taking the last inactive tablet of your previous contraceptive).
You can change from the progestin-only pill, any day (if it is an implant or an SLI, on the day of its removal; if it is an injectable, on the day of the next injection), but in all cases use additional contraceptive methods (e.g. a condom) during the first 7 days of taking tablets.
Follow your doctor's recommendations.
Do not start taking Levesialle Diario between 21 and 28 days after having a child or a spontaneous abortion. You must use one of the so-called barrier methods (e.g. a condom) during the first 7 days of using Levesialle Diario.
If, after having a child, you have already had sex before starting to take Levesialle Diario (again), you must be sure you are not pregnant or wait for your next menstrual period.
Read the section "Breastfeeding".
Ask your doctor if you are not sure when to start.
Duration of use:
You can take this medication as long as you want to use a hormonal contraceptive and the benefits of a hormonal contraceptive are greater than the risks for your health (see section 2 'Do not take Levesialle Diario' and 'Warnings and precautions').
If you take more Levesialle Diario than you should:
No cases of severe damage have been reported due to the ingestion of an overdose of Levesialle Diario. If you take several tablets at once, you may have symptoms of nausea or vomiting. Girls may have vaginal bleeding.
If you have taken too many Levesialle Diario tablets, or if you discover that a child has taken them, consult your doctor or pharmacist immediately or call the Toxicology Information Service 91 562 04 20 indicating the medication and the amount used.
If you forgot to take Levesialle Diario:
The tablets of the 4th row of the blister are placebo tablets. If you forget to take one of these tablets, it will not affect the efficacy of Levesialle Diario. Dispose of the forgotten tablet.
If you forget to take an active pink tablet (tablets of the 1st, 2nd and 3rd row), you must do the following:
The risk of incomplete protection against pregnancy is maximum if you forget to take the pink tablet, at the beginning (1st row) or at the end of the pack (3rd row). Therefore, you must follow the following recommendations (see also the diagram below):
Take the forgotten tablet as soon as you remember, although this means you will have to take two tablets at once. Continue taking the tablets at the usual time and useadditional precautions, for example, a condom, during the next 7 days. If you have had sex in the week before forgetting the tablet, you may be pregnant. In that case, consult your doctor.
Take the forgotten tablet as soon as you remember, although this means you will have to take two tablets at once. Continue taking the tablets at the usual time. The contraceptive protection does not decrease and you do not need to take additional precautions if the tablets have been taken correctly in the 7 days before the forgotten tablet. However, if you have not taken the tablets correctly or if you have forgotten more than one tablet, additional non-hormonal contraceptive methods (e.g. condoms) will be needed during the next 7 days.
You can choose between two options:
You may experience light bleeding or menstrual-like bleeding during the use of the second pack.
If you follow one of these two recommendations, you will remain protected against pregnancy as long as you have taken the tablets correctly during the 7 days before the forgotten tablet.
What to do in case of vomiting or intense diarrhea:
If you experience vomiting or intense diarrhea in the 3-4 hours after taking a tablet or have intense diarrhea, there is a risk that the active ingredients of the contraceptive will not be fully absorbed by the body. The situation is almost equivalent to forgetting a tablet. After the vomiting or diarrhea, take a pink tablet from a reserve pack as soon as possible. If possible, take it within 12 hours after the usual time you take your contraceptive. If not possible or more than 12 hours have passed, follow the advice in the section "If you forget to take Levesialle Diario".
Delayed period: what you should know:
Although not recommended, you can delay your period if you start taking a new pack of Levesialle Diario instead of continuing to take the placebo tablets, and finish it. You may experience light bleeding or menstrual-like bleeding during the use of the second pack.
You should ask your doctor for advice before deciding to delay your menstrual period.
Change of the first day of your period: what you should know:
If you take the tablets according to the instructions, your period will start during the placebo days. If you have to change that day, reduce the number of placebo days (but never increase them - 7 at most!). For example, if you start taking the placebo tablets on Fridays and want to change to Tuesdays (3 days earlier), start a new pack 3 days earlier than usual. You may not have bleeding during these days. You may experience light bleeding or menstrual-like bleeding.
If you are not sure how to proceed, consult your doctor.
If you interrupt the treatment with Levesialle Diario:
You can stop taking Levesialle Diario when you want. If you do not want to become pregnant, consult your doctor about other effective birth control methods. If you want to become pregnant, stop taking Levesialle Diario and wait until your period before trying to become pregnant. This way, you can calculate your estimated due date more easily.
If you stop taking this medication, it is possible that your periods will take some time to become regular again, especially if you have had irregular periods before taking the "pill".
If you have any other questions about the use of this medication, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
Like all medicines, Levesialle Diario may 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 notice any changes in your health that you think may be related to this medicine, consult your doctor.
Severe side effects
Seek immediate medical attention if you experience any of the following angioedema symptoms: swelling of the face, tongue, and/or throat, and/or difficulty swallowing or urticaria with possible difficulty breathing (see also "Warnings and precautions").
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 use Levesialle Diario".
The following list of side effects has been associated with the use of Levesialle Diario:
Very common(may affect more than 1 in 10 people):
Common(may affect up to 1 in 10 people):
- Mood changes, depression
Uncommon(may affect up to 1 in 100 people):
Rare(may affect up to 1 in 1,000 people):
Very rare(may affect up to 1 in 10,000 people):
The following conditions may be caused or worsened by combined oral contraceptives: Inflammation of the optic nerve (may lead to partial or total loss of vision), increased formation of varicose veins, inflammation of the pancreas with severe disturbance of fat metabolism, inflammation of the large intestine, Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, migraine, porphyria (metabolic disorder causing abdominal pain and mental disturbances), systemic lupus erythematosus (where the body attacks and damages its own organs and tissues), herpes in late pregnancy, Sydenham's chorea (rapid involuntary jerks or nervous movement), hemolytic-uremic syndrome (a disorder that occurs after diarrhea caused by E. coli), liver problems with jaundice, bile duct or gallstone formation, a form of hearing loss (otosclerosis).
If you experience any type of side effect, consult your doctor, even if it is a possible side effect that does not appear in the leaflet.
You can also report them directly through the Spanish System for the Pharmacovigilance of Medicinal Products for Human Use: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.
This medication does not require special storage conditions.
Do not use this medication after the expiration date shown on the packaging after CAD. The expiration date is the last day of the month indicated.
Medications should not be disposed of through drains or in the trash. Dispose of the packaging and unused medications at the SIGRE collection point at the pharmacy. By doing so, you will help protect the environment.
The active principles are 0.10 mg of levonorgestrel and 0.02 mg of ethinylestradiol.
Levesialle Diario has tablets of 2 colors:
The active tablets are pink and rounded, with an approximate diameter of 5.7 mm.
The placebo tablets are white and rounded, with an approximate diameter of 5.7 mm.
Each blister contains 21 active tablets coated with a pink film distributed between the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd row and 7 placebo tablets coated with a white film located in the 4th row.
Levesialle Diario is available in packages of 1, 3, 6, or 13 blisters of 28 tablets.
Not all packages may be marketed.
Holder of the marketing authorization and responsible manufacturer.
Holder
Exeltis Healthcare S.L
Avda. de Miralcampo, 7.
Polígono Industrial Miralcampo.
19200 Azuqueca de Henares,
Guadalajara (Spain)
Manufacturer
Laboratorios León Farma, S.A.
Polígono Industrial Navatejera, La Vallina S/N
24008 Villaquilambre (León) - Spain
This medicine is authorized in the member states of the European Economic Area with the following names:
Belgium: Levesialle Continu 20 0.10 mg/0.02 mg coated tablets
Denmark: Mirabella 28, film-coated tablets
Finland: Levesia 100 micrograms / 20 micrograms film-coated tablets
France: ASTERLUNA CONTINU 100 micrograms / 20 micrograms, coated tablet
Italy: Lasca 100 micrograms / 20 micrograms coated tablets
Luxembourg: Levesialle Continu 20 0.10 mg / 0.02 mg coated tablets
Norway: Mirabella 100 micrograms / 20 micrograms film-coated tablets
Spain: Levesialle Diario 0.10 mg / 0.02 mg coated tablets EFG
Sweden: Levesia, 100 micrograms / 20 micrograms film-coated tablet
The 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.es.gob
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