Talk to a healthcare provider before taking Ethinyl Estradiol + Levonorgestrel + Ferrous Fumarate (CHARLIZE).
Take one pill daily, beginning on the first day of menstrual bleeding. Patient can also start any day as long as patient is not pregnant and use a back-up method such as condom for the next seven days as a precaution to avoid pregnancy. Start with the pill marked number "1". Follow the arrows indicated on the pack.
The interval between two pills should be 24 hours. Incorporate it to daily routine - after eating meals or before going to sleep to easily remember to take it. A pack is good for 28 days.
Start a new pack the next day after taking the last pinkish-brown pill regardless whether the menstrual bleeding has stopped or not. Patient's menstrual bleeding will return to normal two days after finishing the beige pills and while taking the pinkish-brown pills.
Patient may continue taking the pill as long as wanted to avoid pregnancy. Do not skip taking the pill even if there is a brief pause from sexual activity.
Patient should only stop taking the pill after finishing a pack; otherwise bleeding may start.
Vomiting and persistent diarrhea can interfere with the absorption of the pill. If vomiting occurs within two hours after taking a pill, another pill should be taken as soon as possible. If persistent vomiting and diarrhea last more than 24 hours, follow the instructions on Missed Pills.
If patient missed one beige pill, it must be taken within 12 hours after the 24-hour lapse to sustain its efficacy. Take the remaining pills as scheduled to avoid premature withdrawal bleeding. Follow the instructions on Missed Pills.
Missed Pills: The key to effective contraception is following the recommended dosage consistently.
If patient missed taking one beige pill, take it as soon as remembered. Take the pill due for the day at the regular time even if it means taking two pills in one day. Keep taking one pill each day at the usual time. Patient will not need a back-up contraceptive method if she only missed one pill.
Missing two or more beige pills consecutively increases the probability of getting pregnant. Take the most recently missed beige pill as soon as remembered and discard all remaining previously missed pills. Resume taking the next scheduled pill and either abstain from sex or use condoms for the next seven days. Count the beige pills left in the pack.
If one to six beige pills are left in the pack, finish the remaining beige pills and discard all pinkish-brown pills. Start a new pack immediately and use condoms for the next seven days. Bleeding may not come at the regular time.
If there are seven or more beige pills left in the pack, continue taking the contents of the pack including the pinkish-brown pills. Start with a new pack.
If patient continually forget to take the pills, ask the healthcare provider for ways to become compliant, or for another method of contraception which will suit better. (See figure.)
What to do if patient missed taking the pinkish-brown pill: The patient does not have to worry if she missed the pinkish-brown pill as long as she finished the pack which completes the 28-day cycle. The pinkish-brown pill contains Ferrous Fumarate, an Iron supplement, that helps improve the hemoglobin content of the blood during menstruation.
