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Jolessa Warnings and Precautions
Smoking cigarettes while taking Jolessa increases your risk of heart attacks, blood clots, and strokes, especially if you are over age 35. Besides women who smoke, other people who should pay special attention to the warnings and precautions with Jolessa include women who have a history of depression, gallbladder problems, or diabetes.
Prior to using Jolessa™ (levonorgestrel/ethinyl estradiol), talk to your healthcare provider if you have:
- A history of blood clots or a clotting disorder
- 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
- Problems with your heart valves
- Kidney disease, such as kidney failure (renal failure)
- Cancer (or if you have had cancer in the past)
- High blood pressure (hypertension)
- Diabetes
- Migraines
- Chest pain
- A history of heart attack or stroke
- Gallbladder disease
- High cholesterol
- Depression
- 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 nonprescription medications, vitamins, and herbal supplements.
Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD