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

Quick overview

Camila is a progestin-only oral contraceptive, also known as the mini-pill, that contains norethindrone and no estrogen. It is used mainly to prevent pregnancy and is taken as one tablet daily at the same time, with no break between packs. Some brands of norethindrone are also used to treat menstrual disorders, endometriosis, or abnormal vaginal bleeding caused by a hormone imbalance.

What is Camila Tablet

Camila is a birth control pill that contains only one hormone, a progestin called norethindrone. It is often called the mini-pill because it does not contain estrogen. It is used to prevent pregnancy.

Camila Tablet uses

• Preventing pregnancy (contraception)
• Treating menstrual disorders, endometriosis, or abnormal vaginal bleeding caused by a hormone imbalance (for some brands of norethindrone)

Benefits of Camila Tablet

• Provides an effective birth control option for women who cannot take estrogen-based contraceptives
• Highly effective when taken consistently at the same time every day

How Camila Tablet works

Camila works mainly by thickening the mucus at the entrance of the womb so sperm cannot easily reach an egg. It can also stop ovulation about half the time, slow the movement of the egg through the fallopian tubes, and change the lining of the uterus, which together help prevent pregnancy.

Camila Tablet dosage

Take one tablet by mouth every day at the same time, with no breaks between packs. It is best to take your first pill on the first day of your period; if you start on another day, use a backup birth control method such as condoms for the first 48 hours. After finishing all the pills in a pack, start the next pack the very next day without skipping any days. Taking the pill after your evening meal or at bedtime may help if you have stomach upset or nausea. If you are more than 3 hours late taking a pill, or miss a pill, or have vomiting or diarrhea, use a backup birth control method for the next 48 hours. Your periods may become irregular or you may have spotting between periods; do not stop taking your pills if this happens. If you are fully breastfeeding, you may start the pills 6 weeks after delivery; if partially breastfeeding, start by 3 weeks after delivery. Ask your doctor how to switch safely from other forms of hormonal birth control to this product.

Available forms and strengths

• Tablet

Side effects of Camila Tablet

Common

• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Headache
• Bloating
• Breast tenderness
• Weight gain
• Vaginal bleeding between periods (spotting) or missed/irregular periods
• Dizziness
• Increased hair growth, especially on the face
• Pimples/acne
• Hair loss
• Depressed mood or trouble sleeping
• Vaginal itching or discharge

Serious

• Breast lumps
• Mental or mood changes such as new or worsening depression
• Severe stomach or abdominal pain
• Unusual changes in vaginal bleeding, such as continuous spotting, sudden heavy bleeding, or missed periods
• Dark urine
• Yellowing of eyes or skin
• Sudden vision loss, bulging eyes, or severe headache
• Swelling or rapid weight gain
• Pelvic pain, especially on one side
• A light-headed feeling like you might pass out
• Increased thirst or increased urination
• Signs of a blood clot such as sudden numbness or weakness, problems with vision or speech, chest pain, shortness of breath, or swelling or redness in an arm or leg
• Signs of a serious allergic reaction: rash, itching or swelling especially of the face, tongue, or throat, severe dizziness, trouble breathing

Warnings and precautions

• This medicine should not be used during pregnancy. If you become pregnant or think you may be pregnant, tell your doctor right away.
• Small amounts of this medicine pass into breast milk. Talk to your doctor before breastfeeding, as rare cases of decreased milk production have been reported.
• Do not use during pregnancy or if pregnancy is suspected. Do not use with current or suspected breast cancer. Avoid use with acute liver disease or benign/malignant liver tumors.
• Do not use this medicine if you have liver disease, a liver tumor, or acute liver disease.
• Do not use for undiagnosed abnormal vaginal bleeding until the cause is evaluated. Avoid if you have an allergy to norethindrone or any ingredient in Camila. 
• Take it at the same time every day. If taken 3 or more hours late, backup contraception is recommended for the next 48 hours.
• Irregular bleeding, spotting, or missed periods can occur and are common with progestin-only pills. People with diabetes or prediabetes should be monitored because glucose tolerance may be affected. 
• Seek medical evaluation for severe abdominal pain, particularly if pregnancy is possible, because ectopic pregnancy can occur with contraceptive failure.
• Smoking cigarettes greatly increases the chance of having a heart attack or stroke while using this medicine. Women who use oral contraceptives are strongly advised not to smoke.
• This medicine does not protect against HIV, AIDS, or other sexually transmitted diseases such as chlamydia, genital herpes, genital warts, gonorrhea, hepatitis B, and syphilis. Use a condom to reduce this risk.
• There is a risk of ectopic pregnancy (a pregnancy outside the womb) if you become pregnant while using this medicine.
• Some women may develop ovarian cysts while using this medicine. These are usually harmless but can rarely twist or rupture, needing surgery.
• This medicine may cause blotchy, dark patches on the skin (melasma), which can be made worse by sunlight. Limit sun exposure, avoid tanning booths and sunlamps, and use sunscreen and protective clothing.
• Certain medicines, such as some antibiotics, seizure medicines, tuberculosis medicine, HIV medicines, and St. John's wort, can make this birth control less effective and increase the chance of pregnancy or breakthrough bleeding.

Storage

• Store at room temperature between 20° and 25°C (68° to 77°F)
• Store 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 expired or no longer needed through your pharmacist or local waste disposal company

When to see a doctor

• Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction, such as hives, difficulty breathing, or swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
• Call your doctor right away if you have sudden or severe pain in your lower abdomen or stomach area, which could mean an ectopic pregnancy or ovarian cyst.
• Call your doctor right away if you have a breast lump, new or worsening depression, severe stomach or abdominal pain, unusual vaginal bleeding, dark urine, or yellowing of your eyes or skin.
• Contact your doctor if you miss two periods in a row, or one period if you have not taken the pills exactly as directed, since you might need a pregnancy test.
• If someone has overdosed and has serious symptoms such as passing out or trouble breathing, get emergency help right away; otherwise, contact a poison control center.

Alternatives

• Errin
• Deblitane
• Heather