Amethyst Tablet: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, Precautions and Alternates

Quick overview

Amethyst Tablet contains ethinyl estradiol and levonorgestrel, an estrogen and progestin combined contraceptive. It is a continuous-cycle, low-dose combined oral contraceptive taken every day without placebo or hormone-free breaks, designed to prevent pregnancy and stop monthly periods. It works by stopping ovulation, changing cervical mucus, and thinning the uterine lining. Amethyst also offers additional benefits such as reduced menstrual symptoms and a convenient once-daily routine.

What is Amethyst Tablet

Amethyst Tablet's generic name is ethinyl estradiol and levonorgestrel, and it belongs to the estrogen/progestin combined contraceptive drug class. It is a continuous-cycle, low-dose combined oral contraceptive tablet containing levonorgestrel and ethinyl estradiol, taken every day without placebo or hormone-free breaks to prevent pregnancy and stop monthly periods.

Amethyst Tablet uses

• Prevents pregnancy by stopping ovulation, changing cervical mucus, and thinning the uterine lining
• Designed as a continuous regimen to skip monthly withdrawal bleeding
• Helps regulate menstrual cycles, decrease painful cramps, and reduce heavy menstrual bleeding
• May lower the risk of ovarian cysts, ectopic pregnancy, and endometrial or ovarian cancers
• May help treat acne by reducing certain hormones
• May lower the risk of iron-deficiency anemia and breast lumps and cysts

Benefits of Amethyst Tablet

• Eliminates monthly bleeding and related inconvenience and symptoms
• Convenient once-daily routine with no placebo or inactive pills to track
• Highly effective at preventing pregnancy when used consistently and on time (91% to 99.7% effective)
• May reduce or eliminate period-related symptoms
• May save money by reducing the need for period-related products

How Amethyst Tablet works

Amethyst contains two hormones, an estrogen and a progestin, that work together to prevent pregnancy. They stop the ovary from releasing an egg, thicken cervical mucus to block sperm, and change the lining of the uterus to make it less likely for a fertilized egg to implant.

Amethyst Tablet dosage

Take one pill by mouth at the same time every day, no more than 24 hours apart. Once you finish a pack, start a new pack the very next day without skipping any days. If you're not currently on hormonal birth control, you can start on the first day of your period. If switching from a 21- or 28-day combined pill pack, start on the first day of withdrawal bleeding, at the latest 7 days after your last active tablet. If switching from a progestin-only method, follow your pack instructions or ask your provider, since a back-up method may be needed for the first week.

Use a back-up method of birth control if you miss a dose, start a pack late, or have severe vomiting or diarrhea. If you vomit within 4 hours of taking a dose, it counts as a missed dose and you should follow the missed-dose instructions or contact your provider. Don't skip pills even if you have spotting, feel sick, or don't have sex often, since skipping can make it less effective. The tablet can be chewed and swallowed with water, or swallowed whole, and should be taken on an empty stomach.

Available forms and strengths

• Tablet, 90 mcg/20 mcg

Side effects of Amethyst Tablet

Common

• Nausea and vomiting, especially when first starting
• Stomach cramps and bloating
• Breast tenderness
• Breakthrough bleeding or spotting, especially in the first few months
• Headaches
• Weight changes
• Mood swings or mild depression
• Acne or darkening of facial skin
• Problems with contact lenses
• Yeast infection
• Change in sex drive or appetite

Serious

• Signs of a blood clot: leg swelling, pain, or warmth; sudden vision loss; chest pain; shortness of breath; coughing up blood
• Signs of a stroke: sudden numbness or weakness especially on one side of the body, severe headache, slurred speech, trouble with balance or vision, confusion
• Heart attack symptoms: chest pain or pressure, pain spreading to the jaw or shoulder, sweating, nausea, dizziness
• Liver problems: yellowing of the skin or eyes, loss of appetite, upper stomach pain, tiredness, fever, dark urine, light-colored stools
• High blood pressure: severe headache, blurred vision, pounding in the neck or ears
• Gallbladder problems: severe upper stomach pain, nausea, bloating, chalky-colored stools
• New or worsening migraines or severe headaches
• A breast lump
• Symptoms of depression: sleep problems, weakness, tiredness, mood changes
• Allergic reaction: hives, difficulty breathing, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat

Warnings and precautions

• Do not use this medicine if you are pregnant. Stop taking it and contact your doctor right away if you think you might be pregnant or miss two periods in a row. Wait at least 4 weeks after having a baby before starting it.
• This medicine is not recommended while breastfeeding because it can reduce the amount and quality of breast milk.
• Tell your doctor if you have kidney disease, as this is a condition your provider should know about before you take this medicine.
• Do not use this medicine if you have liver disease, liver tumors, or a history of jaundice from pregnancy or birth control pills. Call your provider right away if you notice tiredness, stomach pain, or yellowing of the skin or eyes.
• No major direct interaction with alcohol is established, but excessive alcohol consumption may interfere with consistent medication use.
• Amethyst is not generally associated with sedation, but dizziness, headaches, or other impairing symptoms may affect driving ability.
• Smoking while taking this medicine increases the risk of serious heart problems, strokes, and blood clots. This risk is even higher for women 35 and older who smoke.
• This medicine raises the risk of blood clots, which can occur in the legs, lungs, brain, or heart. Certain conditions like obesity, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, recent surgery, or starting the pill soon after childbirth increase this risk further.
• Do not use this medicine if you have or have had breast cancer, since some breast cancers grow faster with estrogen exposure.
• Though rare, this medicine can cause liver problems such as liver damage or liver tumors. Do not use it if you already have liver problems.
• This medicine may raise blood sugar and triglyceride levels, so people with diabetes may need to monitor blood sugar more closely.
• This medicine can raise blood pressure. Your provider may want to check your blood pressure regularly while you are taking it.
• If you need surgery, tell your provider you are taking this medicine, since you may need to stop it for several weeks before and after to lower the risk of blood clots.
• Certain medicines, such as carbamazepine and phenytoin, can make this medicine less effective and increase the risk of pregnancy. A back-up method should be used for a time after stopping these medicines.
• This medicine must not be combined with certain hepatitis C medicines containing ombitasvir/paritaprevir/ritonavir, as this combination can cause liver problems.
• This medicine does not protect against sexually transmitted diseases, including HIV.

Storage

• Store at room temperature away from moisture, heat, and light
• Keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children
• Never share your medicines with others

When to see a doctor

• Get emergency help right away if you notice signs of a blood clot, such as weakness or numbness in the arms, legs, or face, trouble speaking, blurred vision, dizziness, trouble walking, chest pain, trouble breathing, coughing, or leg swelling and pain
• Seek medical help right away if you have symptoms of a stroke, such as sudden numbness or weakness, severe headache, slurred speech, or balance problems
• Seek medical help right away if you have heart attack symptoms, such as chest pain or pressure, pain spreading to the jaw or shoulder, and sweating
• Call your provider right away if you have signs of liver problems, such as loss of appetite, upper stomach pain, tiredness, fever, dark urine, or yellowing of the skin or eyes
• Get medical help right away if you have abnormal vaginal bleeding, discharge, or pain during sex, as these could be signs of cervical cancer
• Call your provider if you have continuous bleeding or spotting for more than 7 days in a row
• Call your provider if you miss a period for two months in a row, as you might be pregnant
• Get emergency help if you have signs of an allergic reaction, such as hives, difficulty breathing, or swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat
• If you think you have taken too much of this medicine, get emergency medical help, since overdose can cause nausea, vomiting, and drowsiness

Alternatives

• Camrese Lo
• Seasonique
• Amethia Lo
• Lybrel