What is Natazia?

Dienogest and estradiol is a combination of female hormones that prevent ovulation (the release of an egg from an ovary). This medication 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.
Dienogest and estradiol is used as contraception to prevent pregnancy.
Dienogest and estradiol may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

What is the most important information I should know about Natazia?

Do not smoke while taking birth control pills, especially if you are older than 35. Smoking can increase your risk of blood clots, stroke, or heart attack caused by birth control pills.
This medication can harm an unborn baby or cause birth defects. Do not use dienogest and estradiol if you are pregnant. Stop taking this medication and tell your doctor if you become pregnant. Tell your doctor right away if you miss two menstrual periods in a row. If you have recently had a baby, wait at least 4 weeks before taking birth control pills.
Do not use this medication if you have any of the following conditions: a history of heart attack, stroke, or blood clot, circulation problems (especially if caused by diabetes), a blood clotting disorder, eye problems or kidney problems caused by diabetes, a hormone-related cancer such as breast or uterine cancer, abnormal vaginal bleeding, liver disease or liver cancer, uncontrolled high blood pressure, severe migraine headaches, a heart valve or heart rhythm disorder, or if you smoke and you are over 35 years old.
Some drugs can make birth control pills less effective, which may result in pregnancy. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use, including vitamins, minerals and herbal products. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking Natazia?

This medication can harm an unborn baby or cause birth defects. Do not use dienogest and estradiol if you are pregnant. Stop taking this medication and tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant during treatment. Tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant, or if you miss two menstrual periods in a row. If you have recently had a baby, wait at least 4 weeks before taking birth control pills.
Do not use this medication if you are allergic to dienogest or estradiol, or if you have:

a history of heart attack, stroke, blood clot, or coronary artery disease
circulation problems (especially if caused by diabetes)
a blood clotting disorder
a hormone-related cancer such as breast or uterine cancer
abnormal vaginal bleeding
eye problems or kidney problems caused by diabetes
liver disease or liver cancer
untreated or uncontrolled high blood pressure
severe migraine headaches
a heart valve or heart rhythm disorder; or
if you smoke and you are over 35 years old

If you have any of these other conditions, you may need a dose adjustment or special tests:

high blood pressure, heart disease, or congestive heart failure
high cholesterol or triglycerides
a history of depression
diabetes
underactive thyroid; or
a history of jaundice caused by birth control pills

The hormones in birth control pills can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. This medication may also slow breast milk production. Do not use if you are breast-feeding a baby.

Natazia Side Effects

What are the possible side effects of Natazia?

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Stop using this medication and call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:

sudden numbness or weakness, especially on one side of the body
sudden severe headache, confusion, problems with vision, speech, or balance
chest pain, sudden cough, wheezing, rapid breathing, fast heart rate
pain, swelling, warmth, or redness in one or both legs
heavy breakthrough bleeding, or any unusual vaginal bleeding
jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes)
a change in the pattern or severity of migraine headaches
swelling in your hands, ankles, or feet
a breast lump; or
symptoms of depression (sleep problems, weakness, mood changes)

Less serious side effects may include:

headache
breast tenderness
mild nausea, vomiting
acne, freckles or darkening of facial skin
changes in weight
changes in your menstrual periods; decreased sex drive; or
problems with contact lenses

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Natazia Interactions

What other drugs affect Natazia?

Some drugs can make birth control pills less effective, which may result in pregnancy. Before using this medication, tell your doctor if you are using any of the following drugs:

bosentan (Tracleer)
conivaptan (Vaprisol)
dexamethasone (Decadron, Hexadrol)
griseofulvin (Grisactin, Grifulvin V, Fulvicin PG)
imatinib (Gleevec)
isoniazid (for treating tuberculosis)
St. John’s wort
topiramate (Topamax)
rifabutin (Mycobutin), rifampin (Rifadin, Rifater, Rifamate), or rifapentine (Priftin)
thyroid replacement such as levothyroxine (Synthroid, Levothroid, Levoxyl, and others)
an antibiotic such as clarithromycin (Biaxin), dalfopristin/quinupristin (Synercid), erythromycin (E.E.S., EryPed, Ery-Tab, Erythrocin), or telithromycin (Ketek)
antifungal medication such as clotrimazole (Mycelex Troche), itraconazole (Sporanox), ketoconazole (Extina, Ketozole, Nizoral, Xolegal), or voriconazole (Vfend)
an antidepressant such as nefazodone
a barbiturate such as butabarbital (Butisol), secobarbital (Seconal), pentobarbital (Nembutal), or phenobarbital (Solfoton)
heart or blood pressure medication such as diltiazem (Cartia, Cardizem), felodipine (Plendil), nifedipine (Nifedical, Procardia), verapamil (Calan, Covera, Isoptin, Verelan), and others
HIV medication such as atazanavir (Reyataz), delavirdine (Rescriptor), efavirenz (Sustiva), etravirine (Intelence), fosamprenavir (Lexiva), indinavir (Crixivan), nelfinavir (Viracept), nevirapine (Viramune), ritonavir (Kaletra, Norvir), or saquinavir (Invirase)
medicines to treat narcolepsy, such as armodafanil (Nuvigil) or modafanil (Progivil)
seizure medication such as carbamazepine (Carbatrol, Tegretol), felbamate (Felbatol), oxcarbazepine (Trileptal), phenytoin (Dilantin), or primidone (Mysoline)

This list is not complete and other drugs may interact with dienogest and estradiol. Tell your doctor about all medications you use. This includes prescription, over-the-counter, vitamin, and herbal products. Do not start a new medication without telling your doctor.

What should I avoid while taking Natazia?

Do not smoke while using this medication, especially if you are older than 35. Smoking can increase your risk of blood clots, stroke, or heart attack caused by birth control pills.
Birth control pills will not protect you from sexually transmitted diseases–including HIV and AIDS. Using a condom is the only way to protect yourself from these diseases

Natazia Dosage

How should I take Natazia?

Take exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Do not take in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended. Take your first pill on the first day of your period (follow your doctor’s instructions).
Use a back-up birth control, such as condoms or a spermicide, for the first 9 days when you first start using this medication. Follow your doctor’s instructions.
The 28-day birth control pack contains five different colors of pills. Take one pill each day in the exact order directed on the blister pack.
If you are switching to this medication from another birth control pill, start taking dienogest and estradiol on the first day of your withdrawal bleeding and stop taking the other birth control pills. If you were taking progestin-only pills before, start taking dienogest and estradiol on the day you would have taken your next pill.
Do not take two different kinds of birth control pills at the same time.
If you are switching to this medication from a birth control implant, intrauterine device (IUD), vaginal ring, or birth control skin patch, start taking dienogest and estradiol on the day the other birth control device is removed.
If you are switching to this medication from a birth control injection, start taking dienogest and estradiol on the day you would have received your next scheduled injection.
If you are sick with severe vomiting or diarrhea, your birth control pills may not be as effective. Use a back-up birth control during this time. Vomiting within 4 hours after taking dienogest and estradiol is the same as missing a pill.
You may have breakthrough bleeding. Tell your doctor if this bleeding continues or is very heavy.
Take one pill every day, no more than 24 hours apart. When the pills run out, start a new pack the following day. Get your prescription refilled to have the new pack on hand before you finish your pill cycle.
If you need medical tests or surgery, or if you will be on bed rest, you may need to stop using this medication for a short time. Any doctor or surgeon who treats you should know that you are using birth control pills.
Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

What happens if I overdose on Natazia?

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.
Overdose symptoms may include nausea, vomiting, or vaginal bleeding.

What happens if I miss a dose of Natazia?

If you are less than 12 hours late in taking your pill, take the missed dose as soon as you remember. Take the next pill when it is time for your next scheduled dose, then take one pill per day in the order directed on the pack.
Missing a pill by more than 12 hours increases your risk of becoming pregnant.
If you miss one pill:

During Days 1 through 17, take the missed pill as soon as you remember, then take your next pill at the usual time. Use your back-up birth control for at least 9 days
During Days 18 through 24, throw out the rest of the pack and start a new one the same day. Take the “Day 1” pill from the new pack and then take one pill per day in the order directed on the pack. Use your back-up birth control for at least 9 days
During Days 25 through 28, take the missed pill as soon as you remember, then take your next pill at the usual time. You do not need to use back-up birth control if you miss one pill during Days 25 through 28

If you miss two pills:

During Days 1 through 16, skip the missed pills and start with the pill that corresponds to the day you remember you missed your doses. Then take one pill per day in the order directed on the pack. Use your back-up birth control for at least 9 days
During Days 17 through 24, throw out the rest of the pack and start a new on the same day. Take the “Day 3” pill from the new pack and then take one pill per day in the order directed on the pack. Use your back-up birth control for at least 9 days
During Days 25 through 28, throw out the rest of the pack. Start a new pack on the same day or on the day you would normally start a new pack. Take one pill per day in the order directed on the pack. No back-up birth control is needed

Your risk of getting pregnant will increase with the number of pills you miss and the closer you are to the end of the pill cycle. If you miss a period for two months in a row, call your doctor because you might be pregnant. Use your back-up birth control if you are not sure how many pills you have missed.
Sourced from everydayhealth.com

Natazia