What is Aviane Used For?
- Aviane is a combination oral contraceptive (COC) that is used to:
- Prevent pregnancy.
- Treat moderate acne in women aged 14 and older who also need contraception and have no known contraindications to oral contraceptives.
How Does Aviane Work?
- Prevents ovulation: Stops the release of an egg from the ovaries.
- Thickens cervical mucus, making it difficult for sperm to reach the egg.
- Alters the uterine lining to make it less likely for a fertilized egg to implant.
Effectiveness:
- Perfect use: Aviane is more than 99% effective at preventing pregnancy when taken exactly as prescribed.
- Typical use: With missed or late pills, the effectiveness may decrease slightly.
- Aviane does not protect against sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Use a barrier method (e.g., condoms) for STI protection.
Who Should Not Use Aviane?
- Aviane is contraindicated for individuals who:
- Are pregnant or suspect pregnancy.
- Have a history of or current blood clots, stroke, or heart attack.
- Have liver disease or liver tumors.
- Have or suspect breast cancer or estrogen-dependent tumors.
- Experience undiagnosed abnormal vaginal bleeding.
- Have uncontrolled high blood pressure, diabetes with vascular complications, or severe hyperlipidemia.
Warnings and Precautions:
- Smoking significantly increases the risk of serious cardiovascular side effects, especially in women over 35.
- There is an increased risk of blood clots, stroke, and heart attack, particularly for women with other risk factors such as obesity, hypertension, and diabetes.
- Women who are taking medications for Hepatitis C should avoid using Aviane due to potential interactions.
Possible Side Effects:
- Common side effects include:
- Nausea, vomiting, and headaches.
- Irregular bleeding or spotting.
- Breast tenderness or enlargement.
- Weight changes and mood changes.
- Serious side effects (less common):
- Blood clots (deep vein thrombosis, pulmonary embolism).
- Stroke or heart attack.
- Liver tumors.
When to Start Aviane:
Starting after a period:
- Start Aviane on Day 1 of your menstrual cycle (the first day of your period). No backup contraception is required.
- If starting between Day 2 and Day 7, use backup contraception (e.g., condoms) for the first 7 days.
After childbirth:
- Non-breastfeeding women can start Aviane 28 days after delivery.
- Use backup contraception for the first 7 days.
After miscarriage or abortion:
- You can start Aviane immediately after a first-trimester miscarriage or abortion. No backup contraception is required.
Missed Pills:
If you miss one pill:
- Take it as soon as you remember and take the next pill at your usual time (you may take two pills in one day).
- No backup contraception is needed.
If you miss two pills in a row:
- Take two pills on the day you remember and two pills the next day.
- Use backup contraception for 7 days.
If you miss three or more pills:
- Discard the rest of the pill pack and start a new pack.
- Use backup contraception for 7 days.
What to Do if You Vomit or Have Diarrhea:
- If you vomit or have severe diarrhea within 4 hours of taking a pill, take another pill as soon as possible.
- Use backup contraception for 7 days.
Other Considerations:
- Consistency: It is important to take Aviane at the same time each day to ensure maximum effectiveness.
- Breakthrough bleeding: If you experience spotting or irregular bleeding, continue taking Aviane as directed, but consult your healthcare provider if it persists.
- Breastfeeding: Aviane may reduce breast milk production, so consult your doctor if you are nursing.
Storage Information:
- Store Aviane between 15°C and 30°C in its original packaging.
- Keep out of reach of children and pets.
