Amethia Lo Tablet: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, Precautions and Alternates

Quick overview

Amethia Lo Tablet contains ethinyl estradiol and levonorgestrel, a combination of hormones used as an extended-cycle birth control pill. It is taken over a 91-day cycle, with 84 active tablets followed by 7 inactive tablets, which usually results in about four periods a year. It works by stopping ovulation, thickening cervical mucus, and changing the uterine lining to prevent pregnancy.

What is Amethia Lo Tablet

Amethia Lo is a combination birth control pill that contains two female hormones, a progestin (levonorgestrel) and an estrogen (ethinyl estradiol). It is taken in a 91-day extended cycle to prevent pregnancy.

Amethia Lo Tablet uses

• Prevents pregnancy by stopping ovulation (the release of an egg from the ovary)
• Used as an extended-cycle regimen with 84 active tablets followed by 7 inactive tablets, which usually means only about 4 periods a year

Benefits of Amethia Lo Tablet

• Lowers the number of menstrual periods to about four times a year
• May cause lighter, shorter, or less painful bleeding for some people
• May help reduce hormonal acne and mood swings for some people
• May make periods more regular and decrease blood loss and painful periods
• May lower the risk of ovarian cysts

How Amethia Lo Tablet works

Amethia Lo contains hormones that stop the ovary from releasing an egg. It also thickens cervical mucus and changes the lining of the uterus, which makes it harder for sperm to reach an egg and harder for a fertilized egg to attach to the uterus.

Amethia Lo Tablet dosage

Take one tablet by mouth each day, at the same time every day, no more than 24 hours apart. Start the first tablet on the first day of your period or on the first Sunday after your period begins, following your doctor's instructions. Take the tablets in the correct order from the pack; do not skip doses.

When you finish the active tablets, start taking the reminder tablets, then begin a new pack right after, whether or not you have your period. Taking the medicine after your evening meal or at bedtime may help if you get an upset stomach or nausea from it.

You may need to use a backup birth control method, such as condoms or spermicide, when you first start this medicine or if you switch from another birth control method. Also use a backup method if you have severe vomiting or diarrhea, since this can make the pills less effective.

If you need major surgery or will be on bed rest for a long time, tell your doctor, as you may need to stop this medicine for a short time. You will not have a period every month; instead, your period should happen about every 12 weeks during the reminder tablets. Visit your doctor regularly for check-ups while taking this medicine.

Available forms and strengths

• Tablet — 0.1 mg/0.02 mg (active tablets)
• Tablet — 0.01 mg ethinyl estradiol (reminder tablets)

Side effects of Amethia Lo Tablet

Common

• Mild nausea or vomiting, especially when first starting
• Stomach cramps or bloating
• Breast tenderness, swelling, or nipple discharge
• Headaches or migraines
• Spotting or breakthrough bleeding, especially in the first few months
• Changes in weight or appetite
• Darkening of facial skin (melasma), freckles, or changes in hair growth
• Vision changes or trouble wearing contact lenses
• Vaginal itching or discharge
• Changes in sex drive
• Swelling of the ankles or feet from fluid retention

Serious

• Signs of a stroke, such as sudden numbness or weakness, severe headache, slurred speech, or balance problems
• Signs of a blood clot, such as sudden vision loss, chest pain, shortness of breath, coughing up blood, or swelling/redness in an arm or leg
• Heart attack symptoms, such as chest pain or pressure, pain spreading to the jaw or shoulder, nausea, or sweating
• Liver problems, such as loss of appetite, upper stomach pain, tiredness, fever, dark urine, pale stools, or yellowing of the skin or eyes
• Signs of increased blood pressure, such as severe headache, blurred vision, or pounding in the neck or ears
• Swelling in the hands, ankles, or feet
• Changes in the pattern or severity of migraine headaches
• A new breast lump
• Symptoms of depression, such as sleep problems, weakness, tiredness, or mood changes
• Severe allergic reaction, including hives, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat, or difficulty breathing

Warnings and precautions

• Do not use this medicine if you are pregnant. If you become pregnant while taking it, stop and tell your doctor right away. Wait at least 4 weeks after having a baby before starting this medicine.
• This medicine can reduce breast milk production, so you should not breastfeed while using it.
• Tell your doctor if you have kidney disease before using this medicine. Do not use this medicine if you have liver disease or liver cancer.
• No major direct interaction with alcohol is established, but excessive alcohol consumption may interfere with consistent medication use.
• Amethia Lo is not generally associated with substantial sedation, but headache, dizziness, or other impairing symptoms may affect driving ability.
• Smoking while taking this medicine greatly raises the risk of blood clots, heart attack, and stroke, especially in women over 35. You should not take this medicine if you smoke and are over 35.
• This medicine can increase your risk of blood clots, stroke, or heart attack, and the risk is higher if you have high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol, or are overweight. The risk is highest in your first year of use or when restarting after a break of 4 weeks or more.
• You should not take this medicine if you have untreated high blood pressure, heart disease, a history of blood clots, certain cancers, unexplained vaginal bleeding, liver disease, severe migraines, or if you take certain hepatitis C medicines.
• This medicine does not protect against sexually transmitted diseases, including HIV. Use a condom to lower your risk of these infections.
• This medicine may cause dark, blotchy patches on the skin (melasma), which can get worse with sun exposure. Limit sun time, avoid tanning beds, and use sunscreen and protective clothing.
• Certain medicines, such as some antibiotics, seizure medicines, HIV drugs, and St. John's wort, may make this birth control less effective and increase the risk of pregnancy.

Storage

• Store this medication at room temperature away from moisture and heat.
• Store at room temperature away from light and moisture. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep all medications away from children and pets.
• Do not flush medications down the toilet or pour them into a drain unless instructed to do so. Properly discard this product when it is expired or no longer needed.

When to see a doctor

• Get emergency help right away if you have signs of a serious allergic reaction, such as hives, trouble breathing, or swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat.
• Stop taking this medicine and call your doctor right away if you notice signs of a stroke, such as sudden numbness or weakness, severe headache, slurred speech, or balance problems.
• Get medical help right away if you have signs of a blood clot, such as chest pain, jaw or arm pain, confusion, sudden dizziness or fainting, swelling or pain in the groin or calf, trouble speaking, shortness of breath, unusual sweating, weakness on one side of the body, or sudden vision changes.
• Call your doctor right away if you notice signs of liver problems, such as loss of appetite, upper stomach pain, tiredness, fever, dark urine, pale stools, or yellowing of the skin or eyes.
• Tell your doctor right away about any breast lumps, new or worsening mood changes, severe stomach pain, or unusual vaginal bleeding.
• If an overdose happens with serious symptoms like passing out or trouble breathing, call for emergency help immediately. Otherwise, contact your local poison control center for guidance.
• If you do not get your period while taking the reminder tablets, contact your doctor because you might be pregnant.

Alternatives

• Camrese Lo
• LoSeasonique
• Seasonique