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Description for Seasonale

SEASONALE (levonorgestrel and ethinyl estradiol tablets) is an extended-cycle combination oral contraceptive consisting of 84 pink active tablets each containing 0.15 mg of levonorgestrel, a synthetic progestin and 0.03 mg of ethinyl estradiol, an estrogen, and 7 white inert tablets (without hormones).

The structural formulas for the active components are:

Levonorgestrel is chemically 18,19-Dinorpregn-4-en-20-yn-3-one, 13-ethyl-17-hydroxy-, (17α)-, (-)-.

Ethinyl Estradiol is 19-Norpregna-1,3,5(10)-trien-20-yne-3,17-diol, (17α)-.

• Each pink active tablet contains the following inactive ingredients: anhydrous lactose NF, FD&C blue no. 1, FD&C red no. 40, hydroxypropyl methylcellulose USP, microcrystalline cellulose NF, polyethylene glycol NF, magnesium stearate NF, polysorbate 80 NF, and titanium dioxide USP.
• Each white inert tablet contains the following inactive ingredients: anhydrous lactose NF, hydroxypropyl methylcellulose USP, microcrystalline cellulose NF, and magnesium stearate NF.

Uses for Seasonale

SEASONALE® is indicated for use by females of reproductive potential to prevent pregnancy.

Dosage for Seasonale

How To Start And Take SEASONALE

SEASONALE is dispensed in an Extended-Cycle Tablet Dispenser [see HOW SUPPLIED]. SEASONALE should be started on a Sunday (see Table 1). For the first cycle of a Sunday Start regimen, an additional method of contraception should be used until after the first 7 consecutive days of administration.

Table 1: Instructions for Administration of SEASONALE

Starting SEASONALE in females with no current use of hormonal contraception (Sunday Start)	Sunday Start:
Important: Consider the possibility of ovulation and conception prior to initiation of this product.	For each 91-day course, take in the following order: Take the first pink tablet (0.15 mg of levonorgestrel and 0.03 mg ethinyl estradiol) on the first Sunday after the onset of menstruation. If menstruation begins on a Sunday, take the tablet on that day. Due to the potential risk of becoming pregnant, use additional non-hormonal contraception (such as condoms or spermicide) for the first 7 days of treatment. Take subsequent pink tablets once daily at the same time each day for a total of 84 days. Take one white tablet (inert) daily for the following 7 days and at the same time of day that active tablets were taken. A scheduled period should occur during the 7 days that the white tablets are taken. Begin the next and all subsequent 91-day courses of SEASONALE without interruption on the same day of the week (Sunday) on which the patient began her first dose. Follow the same schedule as the initial 91-day course: a pink tablet once a day for 84 days, and a white tablet once a day for 7 days. If the patient does not immediately start her next pill pack, instruct her to protect herself from pregnancy by using a non-hormonal back-up method of contraception until she has taken a pink tablet daily for 7 consecutive days.
Tablet Color: SEASONALE active tablets are pink (Day 1 to Day 84). SEASONALE inactive tablets are white (Day 85 to Day 91).
Switching from another contraceptive method to SEASONALE	Start SEASONALE:
Another oral contraceptive	On the day when the new pack of the previous COC would have been started
Transdermal patch	On the day when the next application would have been scheduled.
Vaginal ring	On the day when the next insertion would have been scheduled.
Injection	On the day when the next injection would have been scheduled.
Intrauterine contraceptive (IUD)	On the day of removal. If the IUD is not removed on first day of the patient’s menstrual cycle, additional non-hormonal contraception (such as condoms or spermicide) is needed for the first seven days of the first 91-day course.
Implant	On the day of removal.

Starting SEASONALE After Abortion Or Miscarriage

First-trimester

• After a first-trimester abortion or miscarriage, SEASONALE may be started immediately. An additional method of contraception is not needed if SEASONALE is started immediately.
• If SEASONALE is not started within 5 days after termination of the pregnancy, the patient should use additional non-hormonal contraception (such as condoms or spermicide) for the first seven days of her first 91-day course of SEASONALE.

Second-trimester

• Do not start SEASONALE until 4 weeks after a second-trimester abortion or miscarriage, due to the increased risk of thromboembolic disease. Start SEASONALE following the instructions in Table 1 for Sunday start. Use additional non-hormonal contraception (such as condoms or spermicide) for the first seven days of the patient’s first 91-day course of SEASONALE [see CONTRAINDICATIONS, WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS].

Starting SEASONALE After Childbirth

• Do not start SEASONALE until 4 weeks after delivery, due to the increased risk of thromboembolic disease. Start contraceptive therapy with SEASONALE following the instructions in Table 1 for women not currently using hormonal contraception.
• SEASONALE is not recommended for use in lactating women [see Use In Specific Populations].
• If the woman has not yet had a period postpartum, consider the possibility of ovulation and conception occurring prior to use of SEASONALE [see CONTRAINDICATIONS, WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS, Use In Specific Populations].

Dosing SEASONALE

Instruct patients to take one tablet by mouth at the same time every day. The dosing of SEASONALE is one pink pill containing levonorgestrel and ethinyl estradiol daily for 84 consecutive days, followed by one white pill (inactive pills without hormone) for 7 days. To achieve maximum contraceptive effectiveness, SEASONALE must be taken exactly as directed, in the order directed on the Tablet Dispenser, and at intervals not exceeding 24 hours. Start taking the first pink pill from a new Tablet Dispenser the very next day after taking the last white inactive pill in the Tablet Dispenser. The failure rate may increase when pills are missed or taken incorrectly.

Missed Doses

Table 2: Instructions for Missed SEASONALE Tablets

If one active tablet (pink) is missed in Days 1 through 84	Take the tablet as soon as possible. Take the next tablet at the regular time and continue taking one t
If two consecutive active tablets (pink) are missed in Days 1 through 84	Take 2 tablets on the day remembered and 2 tablets the next day. Then continue taking one tablet a day until the 91-day course is finished. Additional non-hormonal contraception (such as condoms or spermicide) should be used as back-up if the patient has sex within 7 days after missing tablets.
If three or more consecutive active tablets (pink) are missed in Days 1 through 84	Do not take the missed tablets. Continue taking one tablet a day until the 91-day course is finished. Additional non-hormonal contraception (such as condoms or spermicide) must be used as back-up if the patient has sex within 7 days after missing tablets.
If any of the seven white (inactive) tablets are missed	Throw away the missed tablets. Continue taking the remaining tablets until the pack is finished. A backup birth control method is not needed.

Advice In Case Of Gastrointestinal Disturbances

In case of severe vomiting or diarrhea, absorption may not be complete and additional contraceptive measures should be taken. If vomiting or diarrhea occurs within 3-4 hours after taking a pink tablet, handle this as a missed tablet.

HOW SUPPLIED

Dosage Forms And Strengths

SEASONALE (levonorgestrel and ethinyl estradiol tablets) are available as round, film-coated, biconvex, unscored tablets with a debossed S on one side, packaged in Extended-Cycle Tablet Dispensers, each containing a 13-week supply of tablets in the following order:

• 84 pink tablets, each containing 0.15 mg of levonorgestrel and 0.03 mg ethinyl estradiol; debossed with 62 on the other side
• 7 white inert tablets debossed with 197 on the other side.

SEASONALE (levonorgestrel and ethinyl estradiol tablets) are available as round, film-coated, biconvex, unscored tablets with a debossed S on one side, packaged in Extended-Cycle Tablet Dispensers, each containing a 13-week supply of tablets in the following order:

• 84 pink tablets, each containing 0.15 mg of levonorgestrel and 0.03 mg ethinyl estradiol: debossed with 62 on the other side
• 7 white inert tablets debossed with 197 on the other side

Box of 3 Extended-Cycle Tablet Dispensers - NDC 51285-058-66

Storage And Handling

• Store at 20°C to 25°C (68°F to 77°F); excursions permitted to 15°C to 30°C (59°F to 86°F) [See USP Controlled Room Temperature].
• Protect from light.

Manufactured for: Teva Pharmaceuticals Parsippany, NJ 07054. Revised: Jan 2023

Side Effects for Seasonale

The following serious adverse reactions with the use of COCs are discussed elsewhere in the labeling:

• Serious cardiovascular events and stroke [see BOXED WARNING and WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS]
• Vascular events [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS]
• Liver disease [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS]

Clinical Trial Experience

Because clinical trials are conducted under widely varying conditions, adverse reaction rates observed in the clinical trials of a drug cannot be directly compared to the rates in the clinical trials of another drug and may not reflect the rates observed in clinical practice.

The clinical trial that evaluated the safety and efficacy of SEASONALE was a 12-month, randomized, multicenter, open-label study, which enrolled women aged 18 to 40, of whom 456 took at least one dose of SEASONALE (345.14 woman-years of exposure) [see Clinical Studies].

Adverse Reactions Leading to Study Discontinuation: 14.9% of the women discontinued from the clinical trial due to an adverse reaction; the most common adverse reactions (≥ 1% of women) leading to discontinuation in the SEASONALE group were menorrhagia (5.7%), mood swings (1.9%), weight/appetite increase (1.5%), and acne (1.3%).

Common Adverse Reactions (≥ 2% of women): headache (20.6%), menorrhagia (11.6%), nausea (7.5%), dysmenorrhea (5.7%), acne (4.6%), migraine (4.4%), breast tenderness (3.5%), weight increased (3.1%), and depression (2.1%).

Serious Adverse Reactions: pulmonary embolus, cholecystitis.

Postmarketing Experience

Five studies that compared breast cancer risk between ever-users (current or past use) of COCs and never-users of COCs reported no association between ever use of COCs and breast cancer risk, with effect estimates ranging from 0.90 -1.12 (Figure 2).

Three studies compared breast cancer risk between current or recent COC users (<6 months since last use) and never users of COCs (Figure 2). One of these studies reported no association between breast cancer risk and COC use. The other two studies found an increased relative risk of 1.19 -1.33 with current or recent use. Both of these studies found an increased risk of breast cancer with current use of longer duration, with relative risks ranging from 1.03 with less than one year of COC use to approximately 1.4 with more than 8-10 years of COC use.

Figure 2: Relevant Studies of Risk of Breast Cancer with Combined Oral Contraceptives

RR = relative risk; OR = odds ratio; HR = hazard ratio. “ever COC” are females with current or past COC use; “never COC use” are females that never used COCs.

The following adverse reactions have been identified during post-approval use of SEASONALE. Because these reactions are reported voluntarily from a population of uncertain size, it is not possible to reliably estimate their frequency or establish a causal relationship to drug exposure.

Gastrointestinal disorders: abdominal distension, vomiting

General disorders and administration site conditions: chest pain, fatigue, malaise, edema peripheral, pain

Immune system disorder: hypersensitivity reactions, including itching, rash, and angioedema

Investigations: blood pressure increased

Musculoskeletal and connective tissue disorders: muscle spasms, pain in extremity

Nervous system disorders: dizziness, loss of consciousness

Psychiatric disorders: insomnia

Reproductive and breast disorders: dysmenorrhea

Skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders: alopecia

Vascular disorders: thrombosis, pulmonary embolism, pulmonary thrombosis

Drug Interactions for Seasonale

The sections below provide information on substances for which data on drug interactions with COCs are available. There is little information available about the clinical effect of most drug interactions that may affect COCs. However, based on the known pharmacokinetic effects of these drugs, clinical strategies to minimize any potential adverse effect on contraceptive effectiveness or safety are suggested.

Consult the approved product labeling of all concurrently used drugs to obtain further information about interactions with COCs or the potential for metabolic enzyme or transporter system alterations.

No drug-drug interaction studies were conducted with SEASONALE.

Effects Of Other Drugs On Combined Oral Contraceptives

Substances Decreasing The Plasma Concentrations Of COCs And Potentially Diminishing The Efficacy Of COCs

Table 5 includes substances that demonstrated an important drug interaction with SEASONALE.

Table 5: Significant Drug Interactions Involving Substances That Affect COCs

Metabolic Enzyme Inducers
Clinical effect	Concomitant use of COCs with metabolic enzyme inducers may decrease the plasma concentrations of the estrogen and/or progestin component of COCs. Decreased exposure of the estrogen and/or progestin component of COCs may potentially diminish the effectiveness of COCs and may lead to contraceptive failure or an increase in breakthrough bleeding.
Prevention or management	Counsel females to use an alternative method of contraception or a backup method when enzyme inducers are used with COCs. Continue backup contraception for 28 days after discontinuing the enzyme inducer to maintain contraceptive reliability.
Examples	Aprepitant, barbiturates, bosentan, carbamazepine, efavirenz, felbamate, griseofulvin, oxcarbazepine, phenytoin, rifampin, rifabutin, rufinamide, topiramate, products containing St. John’s worta, and certain protease inhibitors (see separate section on protease inhibitors below).
Colesevelam
Clinical effect	Concomitant use of COCs with colesevelam significantly decreases systemic exposure of ethinyl estradiol [see CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY]. Decreased exposure of the estrogen component of COCs may potentially reduce contraceptive efficacy or result in an increase in breakthrough bleeding, depending on the strength of ethinyl estradiol in the COC.
Prevention or management	Administer 4 or more hours apart to attenuate this drug interaction.
a Induction potency of St. John’s wort may vary widely based on preparation.

Substances Increasing The Systemic Exposure Of COCs

Co-administration of atorvastatin or rosuvastatin and certain COCs containing ethinyl estradiol (EE) increase AUC values for EE by approximately 20-25%. Ascorbic acid and acetaminophen may increase systemic exposure of EE possibly by inhibition of conjugation. CYP3A4 inhibitors such as itraconazole, voriconazole, fluconazole, grapefruit juice, or ketoconazole may increase systemic exposure of estrogen and/or progestin component of COCs.

Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)/ Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) Protease Inhibitors And Non-Nucleoside Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitors

Significant decreases in systemic exposure of the estrogen and/or progestin have been noted when COCs are co-administered with some HIV protease inhibitors (e.g., nelfinavir, ritonavir, darunavir/ritonavir, (fos)amprenavir/ritonavir, lopinavir/ritonavir, and tipranavir/ritonavir] or some HCV protease inhibitors (e.g. boceprevir and telaprevir) and some non-nucleosidase reverse transcriptase inhibitors (e.g. nevirapine)

In contrast, significant increases in systemic exposure of the estrogen and/or progestin have been noted when COCs are co-administered with certain other HIV protease inhibitors (e.g. indinavir and atazanavir/ritonavir) and with other non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (e.g. etravirine).

Effects Of Combined Oral Contraceptives On Other Drugs

Table 6 provides significant drug interaction information for drugs co-administered with SEASONALE.

Table 6: Significant Drug Interaction Information for Drugs Co-Administered With COCs

Lamotrigine
Clinical effect	Concomitant use of COCs with lamotrigine may significantly decrease systemic exposure of lamotrigine due to induction of lamotrigine glucuronidation [see CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY]. Decreased systemic exposure of lamotrigine may reduce seizure control.
Prevention or management	Dose adjustment may be necessary. Consult the approved product labeling for lamotrigine.
Thyroid Hormone Replacement Therapy or Corticosteroid Replacement Therapy
Clinical effect	Concomitant use of COCs with thyroid hormone replacement therapy or corticosteroid replacement therapy may increase systemic exposure of thyroid-binding and cortisol-binding globulin [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS].
Prevention or management	The dose of replacement thyroid hormone or cortisol therapy may need to be increased. Consult the approved product labeling for the therapy in use [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS].
Other Drugs
Clinical effect	Concomitant use of COCs may decrease systemic exposure of acetaminophen, morphine, salicylic acid, and temazepam. Concomitant use with ethinyl estradiol-containing COCs may increase systemic exposure of other drugs (e.g., cyclosporine, prednisolone, theophylline, tizanidine, and voriconazole).
Prevention or management	The dosage of drugs that can be affected by this interaction may need to be increased. Consult the approved product labeling for the concomitantly used drug.

Concomitant Use With Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) Combination Therapy – Liver Enzyme Elevation

Co-administration of SEASONALE with HCV drug combinations containing ombitasvir/paritaprevir/ritonavir, with or without dasabuvir is contraindicated due to potential for ALT elevations [see WARNING AND PRECAUTIONS]. Co-administration of SEASONALE and glecaprevir/pibrentasvir is not recommended due to potential for ALT elevations.

Effect On Laboratory Tests

The use of COCs may influence the results of certain laboratory tests, such as coagulation factors, lipids, glucose tolerance, and binding proteins.

Warnings for Seasonale

Included as part of the "PRECAUTIONS" Section

Precautions for Seasonale

Thromboembolic Disorders And Other Vascular Conditions

• Stop SEASONALE if an arterial or venous thrombotic/thromboembolic event occurs.
• Stop SEASONALE if there is unexplained loss of vision, proptosis, diplopia, papilledema, or retinal vascular lesions. Evaluate for retinal vein thrombosis immediately.
• Discontinue SEASONALE during prolonged immobilization. If feasible, stop SEASONALE at least 4 weeks before and through 2 weeks after major surgery or other surgeries known to have an elevated risk of thromboembolism.
• Start SEASONALE no earlier than 4 weeks after delivery in females who are not breastfeeding. The risk of postpartum thromboembolism decreases after the third postpartum week, whereas the likelihood of ovulation increases after the third postpartum week.
• Before starting SEASONALE evaluate any past medical history or family history of thrombotic or thromboembolic disorders and consider whether the history suggests an inherited or acquired hypercoagulopathy. SEASONALE is contraindicated in females with a high risk of arterial or venous thrombotic/thromboembolic diseases [see CONTRAINDICATIONS].

Arterial Events

COCs increase the risk of cardiovascular events and cerebrovascular events, such as myocardial infarction and stroke. The risk is greater among older women (> 35 years of age), smokers, and females with hypertension, dyslipidemia, diabetes, or obesity.

SEASONALE is contraindicated in women over 35 years of age who smoke [see CONTRAINDICATIONS]. Cigarette smoking increases the risk of serious cardiovascular events from COC use. This risk increases with age, particularly in women over 35 years of age, and with the number of cigarettes smoked.

Venous Events

Use of COCs increases the risk of venous thromboembolic events (VTEs), such as deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism. Risk factors for VTEs include smoking, obesity, and family history of VTE, in addition to other factors that contraindicate use of COCs [see CONTRAINDICATIONS]. While the increased risk of VTE associated with use of COCs is well-established, the rates of VTE are even greater during pregnancy, and especially during the postpartum period (see Figure 1). The rate of VTE in females using COCs has been estimated to be 3 to 9 cases per 10,000 woman years.

The risk of VTE is highest during the first year of use of a COC and when restarting hormonal contraception after a break of four weeks or longer. The risk of thromboembolic disease due to COCs gradually disappears after COC use is discontinued.

Figure 1 shows the risk of developing a VTE for females who are not pregnant and do not use oral contraceptives, for females who use oral contraceptives, for pregnant females and for females in the postpartum period. To put the risk of developing a VTE into perspective: If 10,000 females who are not pregnant and do not use oral contraceptives are followed for one year, between 1 and 5 of these females will develop a VTE.

Figure 1: Likelihood of Developing a VTE

* Pregnancy data based on actual duration of pregnancy in the reference studies. Based on a model assumption that pregnancy duration is nine months, the rate is 7 to 27 per 10,000 WY.

Use of SEASONALE provides women with more hormonal exposure on a yearly basis than conventional monthly COCs containing the same strength synthetic estrogens and progestins (an additional 9 weeks of exposure per year). In the clinical trial, one case of pulmonary embolism was reported. Postmarketing adverse reactions of VTE have been reported in women who used SEASONALE.

Liver Disease

Elevated Liver Enzymes

SEASONALE is contraindicated in females with acute viral hepatitis or severe (decompensated) cirrhosis of the liver [see CONTRAINDICATIONS]. Acute liver test abnormalities may necessitate the discontinuation of SEASONALE until the liver tests return to normal and SEASONALE causation has been excluded. Discontinue SEASONALE if jaundice develops.

Liver Tumors

SEASONALE is contraindicated in females with benign and malignant liver tumors [see CONTRAINDICATIONS]. COCs increase the risk of hepatic adenomas. An estimate of the attributable risk is 3.3 cases/100,000 COC users. Rupture of hepatic adenomas may cause death through intra-abdominal hemorrhage.

Studies have shown an increased risk of developing hepatocellular carcinoma in long-term (>8 years) COC users. The attributable risk of liver cancers in COC users is less than one case per million users.

Risk Of Liver Enzyme Elevations With Concomitant Hepatitis C Treatment

During clinical trials with the Hepatitis C combination drug regimen that contains ombitasvir/paritaprevir/ritonavir, with or without dasabuvir, ALT elevations greater than 5 times the upper limit of normal (ULN), including some cases greater than 20 times the ULN, were significantly more frequent in women using ethinyl estradiol-containing medications, such as SEASONALE. Discontinue SEASONALE prior to starting therapy with the combination drug regimen ombitasvir/paritaprevir/ritonavir, with or without dasabuvir [see CONTRAINDICATIONS]. SEASONALE can be restarted approximately 2 weeks following completion of treatment with the Hepatitis C combination drug regimen.

Hypertension

SEASONALE is contraindicated in females with uncontrolled hypertension or hypertension with vascular disease [see CONTRAINDICATIONS]. For all women, including those with well-controlled hypertension, monitor blood pressure at routine visits and stop SEASONALE if blood pressure rises significantly.

An increase in blood pressure has been reported in females taking COCs, and this increase is more likely in older women and with extended duration of use. The effect of COCs on blood pressure may vary according to the progestin in the COC.

Age-Related Considerations

The risk for cardiovascular disease and prevalence of risk factors for cardiovascular disease increase with age. Certain conditions, such as smoking and migraine headache without aura, that do not contraindicate COC use in younger females, are contraindications to use in women over 35 years of age [see CONTRAINDICATIONS and Thromboembolic Disorders And Other Vascular Conditions]. Consider the presence of underlying risk factors that may increase the risk of cardiovascular disease or VTE, particularly before initiating SEASONALE for women over 35 years, such as:

• Hypertension
• Diabetes
• Dyslipidemia
• Obesity

Gallbladder Disease

Studies suggest a small increased relative risk of developing gallbladder disease among COC users. Use of COCs, including SEASONALE, may worsen existing gallbladder disease.

A past history of COC-related cholestasis predicts an increased risk with subsequent COC use. Females with a history of pregnancy-related cholestasis may be at an increased risk for COC-related cholestasis.

Adverse Carbohydrate And Lipid Metabolic Effects

Hyperglycemia

SEASONALE is contraindicated in diabetic women over age 35, or females who have diabetes with hypertension, nephropathy, retinopathy, neuropathy, other vascular disease or females with diabetes of >20 years of duration [see CONTRAINDICATIONS]. SEASONALE may decrease glucose tolerance. Carefully monitor prediabetic and diabetic females who are using SEASONALE.

Dyslipidemia

Consider alternative contraception for females with uncontrolled dyslipidemia. SEASONALE may cause adverse lipid changes.

Females with hypertriglyceridemia, or a family history thereof, may have an increase in serum triglyceride concentrations when using SEASONALE, which may increase the risk of pancreatitis.

Headache

SEASONALE is contraindicated in females who have headaches with focal neurological symptoms or have migraine headaches with aura, and in women over age 35 years who have migraine headaches with or without aura [see CONTRAINDICATIONS].

If a female taking SEASONALE develops new headaches that are recurrent, persistent, or severe, evaluate the cause and discontinue SEASONALE if indicated. Consider discontinuation of SEASONALE if there is an increased frequency or severity of migraine during COC use (which may be prodromal of a cerebrovascular event) [see CONTRAINDICATIONS].

Bleeding Irregularities And Amenorrhea

Bleeding and/or spotting that occurs at any time while taking the first 84 tablets of each extended-cycle regimen is considered “unscheduled” bleeding/spotting. Bleeding that occurs during the time a woman takes the seven white inert tablets is considered “scheduled” bleeding.

Unscheduled Bleeding And Spotting

Females using SEASONALE may experience unscheduled (breakthrough or intracyclic) bleeding and spotting especially during the first 3 months of use. Bleeding irregularities may resolve over time or by changing to a different contraceptive product. If unscheduled bleeding persists or occurs after previously regular cycles, evaluate for causes such as pregnancy or malignancy.

Before prescribing SEASONALE, advise the woman to weigh the occurrence of fewer scheduled menses (4 per year instead of 13 per year) against the occurrence of increased unscheduled bleeding and/or spotting.

The clinical trial of the efficacy of SEASONALE (91-day cycles) in preventing pregnancy also assessed scheduled and unscheduled bleeding. The participants in the study were composed primarily of women who had used oral contraceptives previously as opposed to new users. Women with a history of breakthrough bleeding/spotting ≥ 10 consecutive days on oral contraceptives were excluded from the study. More SEASONALE subjects, compared to subjects on the comparator 28-day cycle regimen, discontinued prematurely for unacceptable bleeding (7.7% [SEASONALE] vs. 1.8% [28-day cycle regimen]).

Unscheduled bleeding and unscheduled spotting decreased over successive 91-day cycles. Table 3 below presents the number of days with unscheduled bleeding and/or spotting for each respective 91-day cycle.

Table 3: Number of Unscheduled Bleeding and/or Spotting Days per 91-day Cycle

Cycle (N)	Days of Unscheduled Bleeding and/or Spotting per 84-Day Interval				Median Days Per Subject-Month
	Mean	Q1	Median	Q3
1 (446)	15.1	3.0	12	23.0	3.0
2 (368)	11.6	2.0	6	17.5	1.5
3 (309)	10.6	1.0	6	15.0	1.5
4 (282)	8.8	1.0	4	14.0	1.0
Q1=Quartile 1: 25% of women had ≤ this number of days of unscheduled bleeding/spotting Median: 50% of women had ≤ this number of days of unscheduled bleeding/spotting Q3=Quartile 3: 75% of women had ≤ this number of days of unscheduled bleeding/spotting

Table 4 shows the percentages of women with ≥7 days and ≥20 days of unscheduled spotting and/or bleeding in the SEASONALE and the 28-day cycle treatment groups.

Table 4: Percentage of Subjects with Unscheduled Bleeding and/or Spotting

Days of unscheduled bleeding and/or spotting	Percentage of Subjects a
SEASONALE	Cycle 1 (N=385)	Cycle 4 (N=261)
≥ 7 days	65%	42%
≥ 20 days	35%	15%
28-day regimen	Cycles 1-4 (N=194)	Cycles 10-13 (N=158)
≥ 7 days	38%	39%
≥ 20 days	6%	4%
a Based on spotting and/or bleeding on days 1-84 of a 91 day cycle in the SEASONALE subjects and days 1-21 of a 28 day cycle over 4 cycles in the 28-day dosing regimen.

Amenorrhea And Oligomenorrhea

Females who use SEASONALE may experience absence of scheduled (withdrawal) bleeding, even if they are not pregnant. Based on data from the clinical trial of SEASONALE, amenorrhea occurred in approximately 0.8% of females during Cycle 1, 1.2% of females during Cycle 2, 3.7% of females during Cycle 3, and 3.4% of females during Cycle 4.

Because females using SEASONALE will likely have scheduled bleeding only 4 times per year, rule out pregnancy at the time of any missed menstrual period.

After discontinuation of SEASONALE, amenorrhea or oligomenorrhea may occur, especially if these conditions were pre-existent.

Depression

Carefully observe females with a history of depression and discontinue SEASONALE if depression recurs to a serious degree. Data on the association of COCs with onset of depression or exacerbation of existing depression are limited.

Malignant Neoplasms

Breast Cancer

SEASONALE is contraindicated in females who currently have or have had breast cancer because breast cancer may be hormonally sensitive [see CONTRAINDICATIONS].

Epidemiology studies have not found a consistent association between use of combined oral contraceptives (COCs) and breast cancer risk. Studies do not show an association between ever (current or past) use of COCs and risk of breast cancer. However, some studies report a small increase in the risk of breast cancer among current or recent users (<6 months since last use) and current users with longer duration of COC use [see Postmarketing Experience].

Cervical Cancer

Some studies suggest that COC are associated with an increase in the risk of cervical cancer or intraepithelial neoplasia. However, there is controversy about the extent to which such findings may be due to differences in sexual behavior and other factors.

Effect On Binding Globulins

The estrogen component of SEASONALE may raise the serum concentrations of thyroxine-binding globulin, sex hormone-binding globulin and cortisol-binding globulin. The dose of replacement thyroid hormone or cortisol therapy may need to be increased.

Hereditary Angioedema

In females with hereditary angioedema, exogenous estrogens, including SEASONALE, may induce or exacerbate symptoms of hereditary angioedema.

Chloasma

Chloasma may occur with SEASONALE use, especially in females with a history of chloasma gravidarum. Advise females with a history of chloasma to avoid exposure to the sun or ultraviolet radiation while taking SEASONALE.

Patient Counseling Information

Advise the patient to read the FDA-approved patient labeling (PATIENT INFORMATION and Instructions for Use).

Cigarette Smoking

Cigarette smoking increases the risk of serious cardiovascular events from COC use. Women who are over 35 years old and smoke should not use SEASONALE [see BOXED WARNING and WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS].

Venous Thromboembolism

The increased risk of VTE compared to non-users of COCs is greatest after initially starting a COC or restarting (following a 4-week or greater pill-free interval) the same or a different COC [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS].

Use During Pregnancy

Instruct females to stop further intake of SEASONALE if pregnancy is confirmed during treatment.

Sexually Transmitted Infections

SEASONALE does not protect against HIV-infection (AIDS) and other sexually transmitted infections.

Dosing And Missed Pill Instructions

• Patients should take one tablet daily by mouth at the same time every day [see DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION].
• Instruct patients what to do in the event tablets are missed. See “What should I do if I miss any SEASONALE pills” section in FDA-approved Instructions for Use [see DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION].

Need For Additional Contraception

• Postpartum females who start SEASONALE who have not yet had a period when they start SEASONALE need to use an additional method of contraception until they have taken a pink tablet for 7 consecutive days [see DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION].
• There is a need for a back-up or alternative method of contraception when enzyme inducers are used with SEASONALE [see DRUG INTERACTIONS].

Lactation

SEASONALE may reduce breast milk production. This is less likely to occur if breastfeeding is well established. When possible, nursing women should use other methods of contraception until they have discontinued breastfeeding [see Use In Specific Populations].

Amenorrhea And Possible Symptoms Of Pregnancy

Amenorrhea may occur. Because women using SEASONALE will likely have scheduled bleeding only 4 times per year, advise women to contact their health care provider in the event of amenorrhea with symptoms of pregnancy such as morning sickness or unusual breast tenderness [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS].

Depression

Depressed mood and depression may occur. Women should contact their healthcare provider if mood changes and depressive symptoms occur, including shortly after initiating the treatment [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS].

Nonclinical Toxicology

Carcinogenesis, Mutagenesis, Impairment Of Fertility

see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS.

Use In Specific Populations

Pregnancy

Risk Summary

There is no use for contraception in pregnancy; therefore, SEASONALE should be discontinued during pregnancy. Epidemiologic studies and meta-analyses have not found an increased risk of genital or non-genital birth defects (including cardiac anomalies and limb-reduction defects) following exposure to COCs before conception or during early pregnancy.

In the U.S. general population, the estimated background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage in clinically recognized pregnancies is 2 to 4 percent and 15 to 20 percent, respectively.

Lactation

Risk Summary

Contraceptive hormones and/or metabolites are present in human milk. COCs can reduce milk production in breastfeeding females. This reduction can occur at any time but is less likely to occur once breastfeeding is well-established. When possible, advise the nursing female to use other methods of contraception until she discontinues breastfeeding [see DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION]. The developmental and health benefits of breastfeeding should be considered along with the mother’s clinical need for SEASONALE and any potential adverse effects on the breastfed child from SEASONALE or the underlying maternal condition.

Pediatric Use

Safety and efficacy of SEASONALE have been established in women of reproductive age. Efficacy is expected to be the same for postpubertal adolescents under the age of 18 as for users 18 years and older. Use of SEASONALE before menarche is not indicated.

Geriatric Use

SEASONALE has not been studied in postmenopausal women and is not indicated in this population.

Hepatic Impairment

The pharmacokinetics of SEASONALE have not been studied in subjects with hepatic impairment. However, COCs may be poorly metabolized in patients with hepatic impairment. SEASONALE is contraindicated in females with acute hepatitis or severe decompensated cirrhosis [see CONTRAINDICATIONS and WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS].

Overdose Information for Seasonale

There have been no reports of serious ill effects from overdose of oral contraceptives, including ingestion by children. Overdosage may cause withdrawal bleeding in females and nausea.

Contraindications for Seasonale

SEASONALE is contraindicated in females who are known to have or develop the following conditions:

• A high risk of arterial or venous thrombotic diseases. Examples include females who are known to:
  • Smoke, if over age 35 [see BOXED WARNING and WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS].
  • Have current or history of deep vein thrombosis or pulmonary embolism [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS].
  • Have cerebrovascular disease [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS].
  • Have coronary artery disease [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS].
  • Have thrombogenic valvular or thrombogenic rhythm diseases of the heart (for example, subacute bacterial endocarditis with valvular disease, or atrial fibrillation) [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS].
  • Have inherited or acquired hypercoagulopathies [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS].
  • Have uncontrolled hypertension or hypertension with vascular disease [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS].
  • Have diabetes mellitus and are over age of 35, diabetes mellitus with hypertension or vascular disease or other end-organ damage, or diabetes mellitus of >20 years duration [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS].
  • Have headaches with focal neurological symptoms, migraine headaches with aura, or over age 35 with any migraine headaches [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS].
• Current diagnosis of, or history of breast cancer, which may be hormone sensitive [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS].
• Liver tumors, acute viral hepatitis, or severe (decompensated) cirrhosis [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS and Use In Specific Populations].
• Undiagnosed abnormal uterine bleeding [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS].
• Use of Hepatitis C drug combinations containing ombitasvir/paritaprevir/ritonavir, with or without dasabuvir, due to the potential for ALT elevations [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS].

Clinical Pharmacology for Seasonale

Mechanism Of Action

COCs prevent pregnancy primarily by suppressing ovulation.

Pharmacodynamics

No specific pharmacodynamic studies were conducted with SEASONALE.

Pharmacokinetics

Absorption

No specific investigation of the absolute bioavailability of SEASONALE in humans has been conducted. However, literature indicates that levonorgestrel is rapidly and completely absorbed after oral administration (bioavailability nearly 100%) and is not subject to first-pass metabolism. EE is rapidly and almost completely absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract but, due to first-pass metabolism in gut mucosa and liver, the bioavailability of EE is approximately 43%.

Following continuous dosing with once-daily administration of SEASONALE tablets, plasma concentrations of levonorgestrel and EE reached steady-state within 7 days. The mean plasma pharmacokinetic parameters for SEASONALE under fasting conditions in normal healthy women following once-daily administration of one levonorgestrel/EE combination tablet for 10 days are summarized in Table 7.

Table 7: Mean ±SD Pharmacokinetic Parameters Under Fasting Conditions in Healthy Women Following 10 Days Administration of One Tablet of SEASONALE (n=44)

Analyte	AUC0-24	Cmax	Cmin	Cavga	Tmax
Levonorgestrel	54.6 ± 16.5 ng*hr/mL	5.0 ± 1.5 ng/mL	1.6 ± 0.5 ng/mL	2.3 ± 0.7 ng/mL	1.4 ± 0.7 hours
Ethinyl estradiol	935.5 ± 346.9 pg*hr/mL	106.1 ± 41.2 pg/mL	18.5 ± 9.4 pg/mL	38.9 ± 14.4 pg/mL	1.6 ± 0.6 hours
a Cavg = AUC0-24/24

Food Effect

The effect of food on the rate and the extent of levonorgestrel and EE absorption following oral administration of SEASONALE has not been evaluated.

Distribution

The apparent volume of distribution of levonorgestrel and EE are reported to be approximately 1.8 L/kg and 4.3 L/kg, respectively. Levonorgestrel is about 97.5 -99% protein-bound, principally to sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG) and, to a lesser extent, serum albumin. EE is about 95 -97% bound to serum albumin. EE does not bind to SHBG, but induces SHBG synthesis, which leads to decreased levonorgestrel clearance. Following repeated daily dosing of levonorgestrel/EE oral contraceptives, levonorgestrel plasma concentrations accumulate more than predicted based on single-dose pharmacokinetics, due in part, to increased SHBG levels that are induced by EE, and a possible reduction in hepatic metabolic capacity.

Metabolism

Following absorption, levonorgestrel is conjugated at the 17β-OH position to form sulfate and to a lesser extent, glucuronide conjugates in plasma. Significant amounts of conjugated and unconjugated 3α,5βtetrahydrolevonorgestrel are also present in plasma, along with much smaller amounts of 3α,5αtetrahydrolevonorgestrel and 16β-hydroxylevonorgestrel. Levonorgestrel and its phase I metabolites are excreted primarily as glucuronide conjugates. Metabolic clearance rates may differ among individuals by several-fold, and this may account in part for the wide variation observed in levonorgestrel concentrations among users.

First-pass metabolism of EE involves formation of EE-3-sulfate in the gut wall, followed by 2-hydroxylation of a portion of the remaining untransformed EE by hepatic cytochrome P-450 3A4 (CYP3A4). Levels of CYP3A4 vary widely among individuals and can explain the variation in rates of EE hydroxylation. Hydroxylation at the 4-, 6-, and 16- positions may also occur, although to a much lesser extent than 2-hydroxylation. The various hydroxylated metabolites are subject to further methylation and/or conjugation.

Excretion

About 45% of levonorgestrel and its metabolites are excreted in the urine and about 32% are excreted in feces, mostly as glucuronide conjugates. The terminal elimination half-life for levonorgestrel after a single dose of SEASONALE was about 30 hours.

EE is excreted in the urine and feces as glucuronide and sulfate conjugates, and it undergoes enterohepatic recirculation. The terminal elimination half-life of EE after a single dose of SEASONALE was found to be about 15 hours.

Clinical Studies

In a 12-month, multicenter, randomized, open-label clinical trial, 456 women aged 18-40 were studied to assess the safety and efficacy of SEASONALE, completing 809 91-day cycles of exposure. The racial demographic of those enrolled was: Caucasian (77%), African-American (11%), Hispanic (7%), Asian (2%), and Other (3%). There were no exclusions for body mass index (BMI) or weight. The weight range of those women treated was 84 to 304 pounds, with a mean weight of 157 pounds and a median weight of 147 pounds. Among the women in the trial, 63% were current or recent hormonal contraceptive users, 29% were prior users (who had used hormonal contraceptives in the past but not in the 6 months prior to enrollment), and 8% were new starts.

The pregnancy rate (Pearl Index [PI]) in the 397 women aged 18-35 years was 1.98 pregnancies per 100 women-years of use (95% CI: 0.54 to 5.03), based on 4 pregnancies that occurred after the onset of treatment and within 14 days after the last combination pill. Cycles in which conception did not occur, but which included the use of back-up contraception, were not included in the calculation of the PI.

Patient Information for Seasonale

SEASONALE
[see zuh nel]
(levonorgestrel and ethinyl estradiol tablets)

WARNING TO WOMEN WHO SMOKE

Do not use SEASONALE if you smoke cigarettes and are over 35 years old. Smoking increases your risk of serious cardiovascular side effects from birth control pills, including death from heart attack, blood clots or stroke. This risk increases with age and the number of cigarettes you smoke.

What is the most important information I should know about SEASONALE?

Do not use SEASONALE if you smoke cigarettes and are over 35 years old. Smoking increases your risk of serious cardiovascular side effects from birth control pills, including death from heart attack, blood clots or stroke. This risk increases with age and the number of cigarettes you smoke.

What is SEASONALE?

SEASONALE is a birth control pill (oral contraceptive) used by women to prevent pregnancy. It contains two female hormones, an estrogen called ethinyl estradiol, and a progestin called levonorgestrel. SEASONALE does not protect against HIV infections (AIDS) and other sexually transmitted infections.

How does SEASONALE work for contraception?

Your chance of getting pregnant depends on how well you follow the directions for taking your birth control pills. The better you follow the directions, the less chance you have of getting pregnant.

Based on the results of clinical studies, about 1 to 5 out of 100 women may get pregnant during the first year they use SEASONALE.

The following chart shows the chance of getting pregnant for women who use different methods of birth control. Each box on the chart contains a list of birth control methods that are similar in effectiveness. The most effective methods are at the top of the chart. The box on the bottom of the chart shows the chance of getting pregnant for women who do not use birth control and are trying to get pregnant.

Who should not take SEASONALE?

Do not take SEASONALE if you:

• smoke and are over 35 years of age
• have or had blood clots in your arms, legs, lungs, or eyes
• had a stroke
• had a heart attack
• have certain heart valve problems or heart rhythm abnormalities that can cause blood clots to form in the heart
• have or had a problem with your blood that makes it clot more than normal
• have high blood pressure that cannot be controlled by medicine or have high blood pressure with blood vessels problems
• have diabetes
  • and are over the age of 35
  • with high blood pressure
  • with kidney, eye, nerve, or blood vessel damage
  • for more than 20 years
• have certain kinds of severe migraine headaches with aura, numbness, weakness or changes in vision, or any migraine headaches if you are over 35 years of age
• have or had breast cancer
• have liver problems, including liver tumors
• have any unexplained vaginal bleeding
• take any Hepatitis C drug combination containing ombitasvir/paritaprevir/ritonavir, with or without dasabuvir. This may increase levels of the liver enzyme “alanine aminotransferase” (ALT) in the blood.

If any of these conditions happen to you while you are taking SEASONALE, stop taking SEASONALE right away and talk to your healthcare provider. Use non-hormonal contraception when you stop taking SEASONALE.

What should I tell my healthcare provider before taking SEASONALE?

Tell your healthcare provider if you:

• are pregnant or think you may be pregnant
• are scheduled for surgery. SEASONALE may increase your risk of blood clots after surgery. You should stop taking SEASONALE at least 4 weeks before you have surgery and not restart SEASONALE until at least 2 weeks after your surgery.
• are depressed now or have been depressed in the past
• had yellowing of your skin or eyes (jaundice) caused by pregnancy (cholestasis of pregnancy)
• are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. SEASONALE may decrease the amount of breast milk you make. A small amount of the hormones in SEASONALE may pass into your breast milk. Talk to your healthcare provider about the best birth control method for you while breastfeeding.

Tell your healthcare provider if you have ever had any of the conditions listed in, “Who should not take SEASONALE” above. Your healthcare provider may recommend another method of birth control.

Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins and herbal supplements.

SEASONALE may affect the way other medicines work, and other medicines may affect how well SEASONALE works.

Some medicines and herbal products may make birth control pills less effective, including:

• barbiturates
• bosentan
• carbamazepine
• felbamate
• griseofulvin
• oxcarbazepine
• phenytoin
• rifampin
• St. John’s wort
• topiramate

Use a back-up or alternative birth control method when you take medicines that may make birth control pills less effective.

Birth control pills may interact with lamotrigine, an anticonvulsant used for epilepsy. This may increase the risk of seizures, so your physician may need to adjust the dose of lamotrigine.

Women on thyroid hormone replacement therapy may need increased doses of thyroid hormone.

Know the medicines you take. Keep a list of them to show your healthcare provider and pharmacist when you get a new medicine.

How should I take SEASONALE?

Read the Instructions for Use at the end of this Patient Information.

What are the most serious risks of taking SEASONALE?

Like pregnancy, SEASONALE may cause serious side effects, including blood clots in your lungs, heart attack, or a stroke that may lead to death. Some other examples of serious blood clots include blood clots in the legs or eyes. Serious blood clots can happen especially if you smoke, are obese, or are older than 35 years of age. Serious blood clots are more likely to happen when you:

• first start taking birth control pills
• restart the same or different birth control pills after not using them for a month or more

Call your healthcare provider or go to a hospital emergency room right away if you have:

• leg pain that will not go away
• sudden severe shortness of breath
• sudden change in vision or blindness
• chest pain
• a sudden, severe headache unlike your usual headaches
• weakness or numbness in your arm or leg
• trouble speaking
• yellowing of your skin or eyes

Other serious side effects include:

• liver problems, including:
  • rare liver tumors
  • jaundice (cholestasis), especially if you previously had cholestasis of pregnancy.
• high blood pressure. You should see your healthcare provider to check your blood pressure regularly.
• gallbladder problems
• changes in the sugar and fat (cholesterol and triglycerides) levels in your blood
• new or worsening headaches including migraine headaches
• irregular or unusual vaginal bleeding and spotting between your menstrual periods, especially during the first 3 months of taking SEASONALE.
• depression, especially if you have had depression in the past. Call your healthcare provider immediately if you have any thoughts of harming yourself.
• possible cancer in your breast and cervix
• swelling of your skin especially around your mouth, eyes, and in your throat (angioedema). Call your healthcare provider if you have a swollen face, lips, mouth tongue or throat, which may lead to difficulty swallowing or breathing. Your chance of having angioedema is higher is you have a history of angioedema.
• dark patches of skin around your forehead, nose, cheeks and around your mouth, especially during pregnancy (chloasma). Women who tend to get chloasma should avoid spending a long time in sunlight, tanning booths, and under sun lamps while taking SEASONALE. Use sunscreen if you have to be in the sunlight.

What are the most common side effects of SEASONALE?

• headache (migraine)
• heavier or longer periods, pain with periods
• nausea
• acne
• breast tenderness
• increase in weight

These are not all the possible side effects of SEASONALE. For more information, ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

What else should I know about taking SEASONALE?

• If you are scheduled for any lab tests, tell your healthcare provider you are taking SEASONALE. Certain blood tests may be affected by SEASONALE.
• Do not skip any pills, even if you do not have sex often.
• Birth control pills should not be taken during pregnancy. However, birth control pills taken by accident during pregnancy are not known to cause birth defects.
• You should stop SEASONALE at least four weeks before you have major surgery and not restart it for at least two weeks after the surgery, due to an increased risk of blood clots.
• If you are breastfeeding, consider another birth control method until you are ready to stop breastfeeding. Birth control pills that contain estrogen, like SEASONALE, may decrease the amount of milk you make. A small amount of the pill's hormones pass into breast milk, but this has not caused harmful effects in breastfeeding infants.
• If you have vomiting or diarrhea, your birth control pills may not work as well. Use another birth control method, like condoms or a spermicide, until you check with your healthcare provider.

How should I store SEASONALE?

• Store SEASONALE at room temperature between 68°F to 77°F (20°C to 25°C). Protect from light.
• Keep SEASONALE and all medicines out of the reach of children.

General information about the safe and effective use of SEASONALE

Medicines are sometimes prescribed for purposes other than those listed in a Patient Information leaflet. Do not use SEASONALE for a condition for which it was not prescribed. Do not give SEASONALE to other people, even if they have the same symptoms that you have.

This Patient Information summarizes the most important information about SEASONALE. You can ask your pharmacist or healthcare provider for information about SEASONALE that is written for health professionals.

For more information, call 1-888-483-8279 (1-888-4Teva-RX).

Do birth control pills cause cancer?

It is not known if hormonal birth control pills cause breast cancer. Some studies, but not all, suggest that there could be a slight increase in the risk of breast cancer among current users with longer duration of use.

If you have breast cancer now, or have had it in the past, do not use hormonal birth control because some breast cancers are sensitive to hormones. Women who use birth control pills may have a slightly higher chance of getting cervical cancer. However, this may be due to other reasons such as having more sexual partners.

What if I want to become pregnant?

You may stop taking the pill whenever you wish. Consider a visit with your healthcare provider for a pre-pregnancy checkup before you stop taking the pill.

What should I know about my period when taking SEASONALE?

When you take SEASONALE, which has a 91-day extended dosing cycle, you should have 4 scheduled periods a year (bleeding when you are taking the 7 white pills). However, you will probably have more bleeding or spotting between your scheduled periods than if you were using a birth control pill with a 28-day dosing cycle. During the first SEASONALE 91-day treatment cycle, about 1 in 3 women may have 20 or more days of unplanned bleeding or spotting. This bleeding or spotting tends to decrease with time. Do not stop taking SEASONALE because of this bleeding or spotting. If the spotting continues for more than 7 days in a row or if the bleeding is heavy, call your healthcare provider.

What if I miss my scheduled period when taking SEASONALE?

You should consider the possibility that you are pregnant if you miss your scheduled period (no bleeding on the days that you are taking white pills). Since scheduled periods are less frequent when you are taking SEASONALE, notify your healthcare provider that you have missed your period and that you are taking SEASONALE. Also notify your healthcare provider if you have symptoms of pregnancy such as morning sickness or unusual breast tenderness. It is important that your healthcare provider evaluates you to determine if you are pregnant. Stop taking SEASONALE if it is determined that you are pregnant.

What are the ingredients in SEASONALE?

Active ingredients: Each pink pill contains levonorgestrel and ethinyl estradiol.

Inactive ingredients:

Pink pills: anhydrous lactose NF, FD&C blue no. 1, FD&C red no. 40, hydroxypropyl methylcellulose USP, microcrystalline cellulose NF, polyethylene glycol NF, magnesium stearate NF, polysorbate 80 NF, and titanium dioxide USP.

White pills: anhydrous lactose NF, hydroxypropyl methylcellulose USP, microcrystalline cellulose NF, and magnesium stearate NF.

INSTRUCTIONS FOR USE

SEASONALE
[see zuh nel]
(levonorgestrel and ethinyl estradiol tablets)

Important information about taking SEASONALE

• Take 1 pill every day at the same time. Take the pills in the order directed on your pill dispenser.
• Do not skip your pills, even if you do not have sex often. If you miss pills (including starting the pack late) you could get pregnant. The more pills you miss, the more likely you are to get pregnant.
• If you have trouble remembering to take SEASONALE, talk to your healthcare provider.
• When you first start taking SEASONALE, spotting or light bleeding in between your periods may occur. Contact your healthcare provider if this does not go away after a few months.
• You may feel sick to your stomach (nauseous), especially during the first few months of taking SEASONALE. If you feel sick to your stomach, do not stop taking the pill. The problem will usually go away. If your nausea does not go away, call your healthcare provider.
• Missing pills can also cause spotting or light bleeding, even when you take the missed pills later. On the days you take 2 pills to make up for missed pills (see, “What should I do if I miss any SEASONALE pills?” below), you could also feel a little sick to your stomach.
• It is not uncommon to miss a period. However, if you miss a period and have not taken SEASONALE according to directions, or feel like you may be pregnant, call your healthcare provider. If you have a positive pregnancy test, you should stop taking SEASONALE.
• If you have vomiting or diarrhea within 3-4 hours of taking a pink pill, take another pink pill as soon as possible. Continue taking one pill a day until the 91-day course is finished.
• If you have vomiting or diarrhea for more than 1 day, your birth control pills may not work as well. Use an additional birth control method, like condoms or spermicide, until you check with your healthcare provider.
• Stop taking SEASONALE at least 4 weeks before you have major surgery and do not restart after the surgery without asking your healthcare provider. Be sure to use other forms of contraception (like condoms or spermicide) during this time period.

Before you start taking SEASONALE:

Figure A

Figure B

• Decide what time of day you want to take your pill. It is important to take it at about the same time every day.
• Look at your Extended-Cycle Tablet Dispenser. Your Tablet Dispenser consists of 3 trays with cards that hold 91 individually sealed pills (a 13week or 91-day cycle). The 91 pills consist of 84 pink and 7 white pills. The cards in trays 1 and 2 each contain 28 pink pills (4 rows of 7 pills). See Figure A. The card in tray 3 contains 35 pills consisting of 28 pink pills (4 rows of 7 pills) and 7 white pills (1 row of 7 pills). See Figure B.
• Also find:
  • Where on the first tray in the pack to start taking pills (upper left corner) and
  • In what order to take the pills (follow the weeks)
• Be sure you have ready at all times another kind of birth control (such as condoms or spermicide), to use as a back-up in case you miss pills.

When should I start taking SEASONALE?

If you start taking SEASONALE and you have not used a hormonal birth control method before:

• Take the first pink pill on the Sunday after your period starts, even if you are still bleeding. If your period begins on Sunday, start the first pink pill that same day.
• Use another method of birth control (such as condoms or spermicides) as a back-up method if you have sex anytime from the Sunday you start your first pink pill until the next Sunday (first 7 days).

If you have recently given birth and have not yet had a period, use another method of birth control if you have sex (such as condoms and spermicides) as a back-up method until you have taken LOSEASONIQUE for 7 days.

If you start taking SEASONALE and you are switching from another birth control pill:

• Start your new SEASONALE pack on the same day that you would start the next pack of your previous birth control method.
• Do not continue taking the pills from your previous birth control pack.

If you start taking SEASONALE and previously used a vaginal ring:

• Start using SEASONALE on the day you would have reapplied the next ring.

If you start taking SEASONALE and previously used a transdermal patch:

• Start using SEASONALE on the day you would have started a new cycle (first patch application).

If you start taking SEASONALE and you are switching from a progestin-only method such as an implant or injection:

• Start taking SEASONALE on the day of removal of your implant, or on the day when you would have had your next injection.

If you start taking SEASONALE and you are switching from an intrauterine device or system (IUD or IUS):

• Start taking SEASONALE on the day of removal of your IUD or IUS.
• You do not need back-up contraception if your IUD or IUS is removed on the first day (Day 1) of your period. If your IUD or IUS is removed on any other day, use non-hormonal back-up contraception such as condoms or spermicide for the first 7 days that you take SEASONALE.

Keep a calendar to track your period: If this is the first time you are taking birth control pills, read, “When should I start taking SEASONALE?” above. Follow these instructions for a Sunday Start.

Instructions for using your SEASONALE Extended-Cycle Tablet Dispenser:

Sunday Start:

Figure C

• Take pill 1 on the Sunday after your period starts. To remove your pill from the dispenser, press the pill through the hole in the bottom of the dispenser. See Figure C.
• If your period starts on a Sunday, take pill “1” that same day.
• Take 1 pill at about the same time every day until you have taken the last pill in the tablet dispenser.
• After taking the last white pill on Day 91 from the pill dispenser, start taking the first pink pill from a new Extended-Cycle Tablet Dispenser on the very next day (this should be a Sunday). Take the first pill in the new pack whether or not you are having your period.
• Use non-hormonal back-up contraception such as condoms or spermicide for the first 7 days of the first cycle that you take SEASONALE.

What should I do if I miss any SEASONALE pills?

If you miss 1 pink pill, follow these steps:

• Take it as soon as you remember. Take the next pill at your regular time. This means you may take 2 pills in 1 day.
• Then continue taking 1 pill every day until you finish the pack.
• You do not need to use a back-up birth control method if you have sex.

If you miss 2 pink pills in a row, follow these steps:

• Take 2 pills on the day you remember and 2 pills the next day.
• Then continue to take 1 pill every day until you finish the pack.
• You could become pregnant if you have sex in the 7 days after you miss two pills. You must use a non-hormonal birth control method (such as a condom or spermicide) as a back-up if you have sex during the first 7 days after you restart your pills.

If you miss 3 or more pink pills in a row, follow these steps:

• Do not take the missed pills. Keep taking 1 pill every day until you have completed all of the remaining pills in the pack. For example, if you start taking the pill on Thursday, take the pill under “Thursday” and do not take the missed pills. You may have bleeding during the week following the missed pills.
• You could become pregnant if you have sex during the days of missed pills or during the first 7 days after restarting your pills. You must use a non-hormonal birth control method (such as a condom or spermicide) as a back-up when you miss pills and for the first 7 days after you restart your pills. If you do not have your period when you are taking the white pills, call your healthcare provider because you may be pregnant.

If you miss any of the 7 white pills:

• Throw away the missed pills.
• Keep taking the scheduled pills until the pack is finished.
• You do not need a back-up method of birth control.

Finally, if you are still not sure what to do about the pills you have missed

• Use a back-up method anytime you have sex.
• Keep taking one pill each day until you contact your healthcare provider.

If you have any questions or are unsure about the information in this leaflet, call your healthcare provider.

This Patient Information and Instructions for Use have been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.