Zeosa is a combination of female hormones (progestin and estrogen) used as a contraceptive to prevent pregnancy.
Contents:
Indications for use
- Hormonal contraception;
- Dysfunctional uterine bleeding;
- Functional infertility;
- Underdevelopment of the uterus.
Mechanism of action
The drug suppresses gonadotropins, inhibits ovulation, changes the cervical mucus (which makes it difficult for sperm to penetrate into the uterus) and the endometrium (which prevents implantation).
Dosage and mode of application
Each pack of Zeosa contains 21 chewable light yellow tablets (each containing 0.4 mg norethindrone and 0.035 mg ethinyl estradiol) and 7 chewable brown inert tablets (each containing 75 mg ferrous fumarate).
The drug is started on the 1st day of your period or on Sunday. Take 1 tablet daily for 28 days in a row. Do not make any breaks. After delivery, in the absence of lactation (breastfeeding), the contraceptive can be started on the 1st day of the first menstrual bleeding. After an abortion, the drug should be started immediately. Begin a new pack without breaks.
Overdose
Serious adverse effects have not been reported following intake of excessive doses of ethinyl estradiol and norethisterone. Overdosage may cause nausea, withdrawal bleeding. In case of overdosage, consult your doctor immediately.
Side effects
Common side effects of Zeosa may include:
- nausea, vomiting;
- darkening of facial skin;
- increased hair growth;
- loss of hair;
- changes in weight;
- changes in appetite;
- breast tenderness;
- breast swelling;
- discomfort when wearing contact lenses;
- vaginal itching;
- vaginal discharge;
- changes menstrual periods;
- decreased libido.
In rare cases, women reported the following adverse reactions:
- numbness or weakness, severe headache, slurred speech, vision disorders, balance problems;
- chest pain, sudden cough, wheezing, coughing, swelling in legs;
- chest pain, pain in your jaw or shoulder, nausea, sweating;
- severe migraine headaches;
- swelling in your hands, feet;
- a breast lump;
- sleep problems, weakness, tiredness, depressive mood.
If you have any serious side effects after taking the drug, stop using it and contact your doctor immediately.
Contraindications
Do not use Zeosa for birth control if you have any of the following diseases/conditions:
- thromboembolism (impaired vascular patency);
- thrombophlebitis,
- liver tumors,
- breast cancer,
- estrogen-dependent tumors,
- vascular diseases of the brain or coronary (cardiac) arteries,
- uterine bleeding of unknown etiology (cause),
- uterine cancer,
- vaginal cancer,
- pregnancy,
- cholestatic jaundice (yellowing) of skin and mucous membranes.
Interactions
The contraceptive effectiveness of Zeosa may decrease with co-administration of other medications and products:
- Antibiotics and anticonvulsants (rifampin, barbiturates, phenylbutazone, phenytoin, carbamazepine, felbamate, oxcarbazepine, topiramate, griseofulvin, ampicillin, tetracyclines);
- Anti-HIV protease inhibitors (saquinavir, indinavir, ritonavir, nelfinavir, amprenavir, fosamprenavir, lopinavir, atazanavir, tipranavir, darunavir);
- Herbal products (St. John’s Wort).
Pregnancy and breastfeeding
Use is contraindicated during pregnancy. There are no controlled data.
Breastfeeding is not recommended during use of Zeosa. The active substances can be excreted into breast milk.
What if I miss a pill?
Missing active tablets increases the possibility of pregnancy.
If you missed 1 light yellow pill:
- Take the tablet as soon as you remember. The next pill should be taken at your regular time. This means you may have to take 2 pills per day. You do not need an additional contraceptive method if you have sexual intercourse.
If you missed 2 light yellow pills in a row in week 1 or 2:
- Take 2 pills on the day you remember and 2 pills the next day. Then return to your regular schedule and take 1 pill per day until the pack is finished. You could become pregnant if you have sexual activity during 7 days after missing pills. You must use an additional contraceptive method for 7 days.
If you missed 2 light yellow pills in a row in week 3:
Day 1 Starter:
- Discard the rest of the tablets and start a new pack that same day.
Sunday Starter:
- Keep taking 1 pill per day until Sunday. Then discard the rest of the tablets and start a new pack that same day.
You may not have menstrual bleeding this month. However, if you have no menstrual bleeding 2 months in a row, contact our doctor because you might be pregnant. You could become pregnant if you have sexual activity during 7 days after missing pills. You must use an additional contraceptive method for 7 days.
If you missed 3 or more light yellow pills in a row during the week 1,2 or 3:
Day 1 Starter:
- Throw out the rest of the tablets and start a new pack that same day.
Sunday Starter
- Keep taking 1 pill per day until Sunday. Then discard the rest of the tablets and start a new pack that same day.
You may not have menstrual bleeding this month. However, if you have no menstrual bleeding 2 months in a row, contact our doctor because you might be pregnant. You could become pregnant if you have sexual activity during 7 days after missing pills. You must use an additional contraceptive method for 7 days.
If you missed any of the 7 brown inert pills in week 4:
- Discard the missed tablets. Continue taking 1 pill per day until you finish the pack. You do not need an additional contraceptive method.
If you missed some pills of Zeosa and are still not sure what to do:
- Use an additional contraceptive method every time you have sexual activity. Keep taking 1 tablet per day until you consult your doctor.
Precautions
Before you start using birth control pills, you must undergo a thorough general medical and gynecological examination, exclude pregnancy and blood coagulation disorders.
The risk of cardiovascular side effects increases with smoking (especially in women over 35 years of age).
The drug must be immediately discontinued if you have early signs of phlebitis (inflammation of the vein wall), thrombosis (vascular occlusion with a blood clot), embolism (vascular impairment), unusual migraine headaches, sudden vision impairment, hearing disorders, movement problems, hepatitis, jaundice, itching, cholestasis, increased epilepsy attacks, porphyria.
The risk of thrombosis increases with hypertension.
The drug is discontinued 6 weeks before the scheduled surgery.
Vomiting or diarrhea can reduce the contraceptive efficiency of the drug, therefore, you should temporarily use additional methods of birth control.
When taking Zeosa with antidiabetic drugs, a patient may experience a change in glucose tolerance.