Desogen

Generic Name: Desogestrel/Ethinyl Estradiol
Brand Name: Examples include Desogen and Ortho-Cept

Cigarette smoking while taking Desogen increases the risk of serious heart problems. The risk increases with age (over 35 years of age) and with heavy smoking (15 or more cigarettes per day). Patients who use Desogen are strongly advised not to smoke.

Desogen is used for:

Preventing pregnancy. It may also be used for other conditions as determined by your doctor.

Desogen is an estrogen/progestin combination. It works by preventing the release of eggs from the ovaries and thereby preventing pregnancy.

Do NOT use Desogen if:

• you are allergic to any ingredient in Desogen
• you are pregnant or think you may be pregnant
• you have blood clots in the legs, lungs, or eyes; or a history of heart attack, chest pain, or stroke
• you have known or suspected breast cancer or cancer of the lining of the uterus, cervix, or vagina, or have had vaginal bleeding of unknown causes
• you have a liver tumor or active liver disease, or a history of yellowing of the eyes or skin during pregnancy or previous birth control use
• you have headaches with neurological symptoms or will be on bed rest for a long period following surgery

Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.

Before using Desogen :

Some medical conditions may interact with Desogen . Tell your health care provider if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:

• if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding
• if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement
• if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances
• if you have high blood pressure; high cholesterol, triglycerides, or calcium levels; have pancreatitis or gallbladder problems; or are obese
• if you have breast nodules, fibrocystic disease of the breast, an abnormal breast x-ray or mammogram, endometriosis or endometrial carcinomas, uterine fibroids, or irregular or scanty menstrual periods
• if you have diabetes, headaches, migraine headaches, epilepsy, or a history of mental depression
• if you are having surgery
• if you are a heavy smoker (15 or more cigarettes per day), especially if you are older than 35 years of age

Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Desogen . Tell your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the following:

• Azole antifungals (eg, itraconazole), aprepitant, bosentan, barbiturates (eg, phenobarbital), carbamazepine, felbamate, griseofulvin, HIV protease inhibitors (eg, ritonavir), hydantoins (eg, phenytoin), modafinil, nevirapine, penicillins (eg, amoxicillin), rifampin, St. John's wort, tetracyclines (eg, doxycycline), topiramate, and troglitazone because they may decrease the effectiveness of Desogen . Alternative forms of birth control are strongly recommended when taking any of these medicines along wi th this birth control medicine.
• Beta-blockers (eg, atenolol), selegiline, theophyllines (eg, aminophylline), and troleandomycin because the risk of their side effects may be increased by Desogen
• Lamotrigine because its effectiveness may be decreased by Desogen

This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if Desogen may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.