I. Ovral Fact File:

Ovral was first introduced by Wyeth Pharmaceuticals.

Wyeth Pharmaceuticals, a subsidiary of Wyeth (formerly American Home Products), makes pharmaceuticals to treat cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, and infectious diseases, as well as cancer, women's health concerns, depression, vaccines and infectious disease hemophilia, immunology, and oncology. Wyeth is also a leader in the development of nutritionals.

Wyeth is a global leader in pharmaceuticals, consumer health care products, and animal health care products. With research and development (R&D) programs focused on small molecules, vaccines, and biotechnology, Wyeth is exploring more than 60 new therapies for medical conditions such as diabetes, breast cancer, multiple sclerosis, HIV, Alzheimer's disease, and schizophrenia.

Wyeth is a leader in women's health care with postmenopausal hormone therapy products for women, as well as hormone-based oral contraceptive products.

II. Ovral Medication

Ovral medication is an Oral Contraceptive (birth control pill). Ovral medication (like all Oral Contraceptives) is intended to prevent pregnancy. Oral Contraceptives do not protect against transmission of HIV (AIDS) and other sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) such as chlamydia, genital herpes, genital warts, gonorrhea, hepatitis B, and syphilis.

Oral Contraceptives: Information

Oral Contraceptives or "birth-control pills" or "the pill" are used to prevent pregnancy and are more effective than most other non-surgical methods of birth control. When they are taken correctly, without missing any pills the chance of becoming pregnant is approximately 1% per year. Average failure rates are approximately 5% per year when women who miss pills are included. The chance of becoming pregnant increases with each missed pill during the menstrual cycle.

GENERAL PRECAUTIONS WITH ORAL CONTRACEPTIVES

1). Missed periods and use of Oral Contraceptives before or during early pregnancy There may be times when you may not menstruate regularly after you have completed taking a cycle of pills. If you have taken your pills regularly and miss one menstrual period, continue taking your pills for the next cycle but be sure to inform your health-care professional. If you have not taken the pills daily as instructed and missed a menstrual period, or if you missed two consecutive menstrual periods, you may be pregnant. Check with your health-care professional immediately to determine whether you are pregnant. Stop taking oral contraceptives if pregnancy is confirmed. There is no conclusive evidence that oral-contraceptive use is associated with an increase in birth defects when taken inadvertently during early pregnancy. Previously, a few studies had reported that oral contraceptives might be associated with birth defects, but these findings have not been confirmed in more recent studies. Nevertheless, oral contraceptives should not be used during pregnancy. You should check with your health-care professional about risks to your unborn child of any medication taken during pregnancy.

2). While breast-feeding

If you are breast-feeding, consult your health-care professional before starting Oral Contraceptives. Some of the drug will be passed on to the child in the milk. A few adverse effects on the child have been reported, including yellowing of the skin (jaundice) and breast enlargement. In addition, oral contraceptives may decrease the amount and quality of your milk. If possible, do not use oral contraceptives while breast-feeding. You should use another method of contraception since breast-feeding provides only partial protection from becoming pregnant, and this partial protection decreases significantly as you breast-feed for longer periods of time. You should consider starting oral contraceptives only after you have weaned your child completely.

3). Laboratory tests

If you are scheduled for any laboratory tests, tell your health-care professional you are taking birth-control pills. Certain blood tests may be affected by birth-control pills.

4). Drug interactions

Some drugs may interact with birth-control pills to make them less effective in preventing pregnancy or cause an increase in breakthrough bleeding. Such drugs include rifampin, drugs used for epilepsy such as barbiturates (for example, phenobarbital) and phenytoin (Dilantin is one brand of this drug), primidone (Mysoline), topiramate (Topamax), carbamazepine (Tegratol is one brand of this drug), phenylbutazone (Butazolidin is one brand of this drug), some drugs used for HIV or AIDS such as ritonavir (Norvir), modafinil (Provigil) and possibly certain antibiotics (such as ampicillin and other penicillins, and tetracyclines), and herbal products containing St. John's Wort (Hypericum perforatum). You may also need to use a nonhormonal method of contraception (such as condoms and/or spermicide) during any cycle in which you take drugs that can make oral contraceptives less effective. You may be at higher risk of a specific type of liver dysfunction if you take troleandomycin and oral contraceptives at the same time. Be sure to tell your health-care professional if you are taking or start taking any other medications, including nonprescription products or herbal products while taking birth control pills.

HEALTH BENEFITS FROM ORAL CONTRACEPTIVES

In addition to preventing pregnancy, use of oral contraceptives may provide certain benefits.

They are:

• Menstrual cycles may become more regular.
• Blood flow during menstruation may be lighter, and less iron may be lost. Therefore, anemia due to iron deficiency is less likely to occur.
• Pain or other symptoms during menstruation may be encountered less frequently.
• Ovarian cysts may occur less frequently.
• Ectopic (tubal) pregnancy may occur less frequently.
• Noncancerous cysts or lumps in the breast may occur less frequently.
• Acute pelvic inflammatory disease may occur less frequently.
• Oral-contraceptive use may provide some protection against developing two forms of cancer: Cancer of the ovaries and Cancer of the lining of the uterus.
• May reduce acne.
• Can be used for Emergency Contraception.

DISADVANTAGES OF ORAL CONTRACEPTIVES

• Does not protect against sexually transmitted infections, including HIV/AIDS.
• Must be taken every day.
• Less effective when taken with some drugs.
• Raised risk of heart attack and stroke.

Menstruation: Information

Like the rest of our body, the uterus changes during puberty. It grows larger, but even in a grown woman it is only about the size of a clenched fist. After ovulation, hormones cause the lining of the uterus to grow thick with new blood vessels and spongy, cushioning tissues. This lining contains nourishing substances that will help grow a baby from a fertilized egg (one that been united with a sperm). Most of the time, fertilization does not occur and the lining is not needed. So the spongy tissue and blood (not more than a couple of tablespoonsful) slide off the wall of the uterus. Then it passes through the opening of the cervix, into the vagina and out of the girl's body. This could take from a few days to a week. That's what a menstrual period is

Side effects of Ovral Contraceptives

1). Irregular vaginal bleeding

Irregular vaginal bleeding or spotting may occur while you are taking the pills. Irregular bleeding may vary from slight staining between menstrual periods to breakthrough bleeding which is a flow much like a regular period. Irregular bleeding occurs most often during the first few months of oral-contraceptive use, but may also occur after you have been taking the pill for some time. Such bleeding may be temporary and usually does not indicate any serious problems. It is important to continue taking your pills on schedule. If the bleeding occurs in more than one cycle or lasts for more than a few days, talk to your health-care professional.

2). Contact lenses

If you wear contact lenses and notice a change in vision or an inability to wear your lenses, contact your health-care professional.

3). Fluid retention

Oral contraceptives may cause weight gain or edema (fluid retention) with swelling of the fingers or ankles and may raise your blood pressure. If you experience fluid retention, contact your health-care professional.

4). Melasma

A spotty darkening of the skin is possible, particularly of the face.

5). Other side effects may include nausea, breast tenderness, change in appetite, Mood changes, headache, nervousness, depression, dizziness, loss of scalp hair, rash, vaginal infections, inflammation of the pancreas, and allergic reactions.

Side effects usually disappear after 2-3 cycles. If your side effects are bothersome after 2-3 cycles or if heavy bleeding occurs, continue taking your pills and call the clinic for an appointment to talk about your prescription.

Uses of oral contraceptives

The most common uses of oral contraceptives are:

• decreasing premenstrual symptoms
• preventing pregnancy
• regulating the menstrual cycle
• treating acne
• treating dysfunctional uterine bleeding
• OCPs do not prevent sexually transmitted diseases, or STDs.

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III. Useful links

Government

http://www.cdc.gov/

http://www.fda.gov/

http://www.fda.gov/cder/ogd/

http://www.nih.gov/

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi

http://www.health.gov.on.ca/

National Library of Medicine

World Health Organization

Health Sites

Side-Effects - Birth Control Pills

www.electriceggplant.com

http://www.mayoclinic.com/index.cfm

MedicineNet.com

Drugdigest.org

Healthsquare.com

Pharmacy sites

Wyeth Pharmaceuticals

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