Cyclessa Warnings and Precautions

By Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD |

Before starting Cyclessa, warnings and precautions for the drug should be reviewed with your healthcare provider. For example, Cyclessa can increase blood sugar, and it does not protect against sexually transmitted diseases. Certain people shouldn't take Cyclessa, such as those who are pregnant. Cyclessa warnings and precautions also extend to those with a history of breast cancer or severe high blood pressure.

Cyclessa: What Should I Tell My Healthcare Provider?

You should talk with your healthcare provider prior to using Cyclessa^® (desogestrel/ethinyl estradiol) if you have:

High cholesterol
Gallbladder disease
High blood pressure (hypertension)
Diabetes
Depression
Migraines or other severe headaches
A history of heart attack or stroke
A history of blood clots or a clotting disorder
Chest pain
Problems with your heart valves
Yellowing of the eyes or skin during a prior pregnancy or oral contraceptive use
Liver disease, such as liver failure, cirrhosis, hepatitis, or liver tumors
Cancer (or if you have had cancer in the past)
Unexplained vaginal bleeding.

Also, let your healthcare provider know if you:

Will be having surgery
Smoke cigarettes
Are pregnant or thinking of becoming pregnant
Are breastfeeding.

You should also be sure to tell your healthcare provider about all other medicines you are taking, including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.

(Cyclessa is equivalent to Caziant™, Cesia™, and Velivet™ birth control pills. The information in this article also applies to each of these medications.)