Seasonale is an extended-cycle birth control pill, which allows women to only have one period every three months. It comes in tablet form and must be taken at the same time every day. Possible side effects can include nausea, vomiting, and headaches. Before taking Seasonale, talk to your healthcare provider about any existing health conditions you have and any other medicines you are taking.

What Is Seasonale?

Seasonale^® (levonorgestrel/ethinyl estradiol) is an oral contraceptive (birth control pill). It was the first "extended-cycle" oral contraceptive -- the first birth control pill designed to let women have less frequent menstrual periods. With Seasonale, you will get your period once every three months (only four times a year).

 

 

Who Makes Seasonale?

Seasonale is manufactured by Duramed Pharmaceuticals, Inc. A generic version of the drug, sold under the name Quasense™, is made by Watson Pharmaceuticals (see Generic Seasonale for more information).

 

How Does Seasonale Work?

Seasonale is a combined oral contraceptive, a birth control pill that contains both an estrogen (ethinyl estradiol) and a progestin (levonorgestrel). It works to prevent pregnancy primarily by stopping ovulation (the maturation and release of eggs from the ovaries). However, it also works to prevent pregnancy in two other, minor ways. Seasonale alters the cervical mucus (the fluid of the cervix, which is the lower, narrow part of the uterus that is connected to the vagina), making it more difficult for sperm to enter the uterus. Seasonale also alters the lining of the uterus (called the endometrium), making it less receptive to an embryo.

 

There is no reason women need to have a monthly period while taking birth control pills. In fact, the "period" you experience while taking birth control pills isn't really a period at all. Because ovulation does not occur, the body does not prepare for a possible pregnancy by building up the lining of the uterus, so there is no need to shed the lining, as with a regular period. Instead, the "period" that occurs due to birth control pills is actually caused by a withdrawal of the hormones in the pills, which causes bleeding.

 

Effects of Seasonale

Seasonale was shown to be an effective birth control method in a large clinical trial. In this study, 1 or 2 out of every 100 women who used Seasonale for a year became pregnant. This is very effective, compared to many other methods of contraception. For instance, up to 14 percent of women using condoms for a year will become pregnant.

 

When and How to Use Seasonale

General considerations for when and how to use Seasonale include the following:

 

Dosing Information for Seasonale

There is only one standard dose of Seasonale, regardless of age, weight, or medical conditions. As always, do not adjust your dose unless your healthcare provider specifically instructs you to do so.

 

 

Side Effects of Seasonale

As with any medicine, side effects are possible with Seasonale. However, not everyone who uses the contraceptive will experience side effects. In fact, most people tolerate it quite well. If side effects do occur, in most cases, they are minor and either require no treatment or can easily be treated by you or your healthcare provider. Serious side effects are less common.

 

Common side effects of Seasonale include but are not limited to:

 

 

Drug Interactions With Seasonale

Seasonale can interact with a number of other medications (see Seasonale Drug Interactions).

 

Seasonale: What Should I Tell My Healthcare Provider?

You should talk with your healthcare provider prior to using Seasonale if you have:

 

Also, let your healthcare provider know if you:

 

Make sure to tell your healthcare provider about any other medicines you are taking, including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.

 

 

What If I Take an Overdose of Seasonale?

Women who take too much Seasonale may experience the following symptoms:

 

 

How Should Seasonale Be Stored?

Keep Seasonale tablets in their original package. The packaging is designed to help you remember to take the tablets each day. Keep the package at room temperature, away from moisture and heat.

 

Keep Seasonale and all other medications out of the reach of children.

 

What If I Miss a Dose of Seasonale?

Missing doses of Seasonale increases the risk of pregnancy. What you should do depends on how many tablets you have missed and where exactly you are in your cycle (see Seasonale Dosage). If you are not sure what to do, refer to the patient information that comes with each pack of Seasonale or consult your healthcare provider.

 

Strengths of Seasonale

Seasonale comes in one strength, containing 0.15 mg of levonorgestrel and 0.03 mg of ethinyl estradiol per active tablet (the first 84 tablets). The last seven tablets do not contain any active ingredients.