Crisanta is a combination of 2 hormones: an Estrogen (Ethinylestradiol) and a Progestin. Crisanta is used to prevent pregnancy. It works mainly by preventing the release of an egg (ovulation) during your menstrual cycle. It also makes vaginal fluid thicker to help prevent sperm from reaching an egg (fertilization) and changes the lining of the uterus (womb) to prevent attachment of a fertilized egg. If a fertilized egg does not attach to the uterus, it passes out of the body. Besides preventing pregnancy, birth control pills may make your periods more regular, decrease blood loss and painful periods, and decrease your risk of ovarian cysts.
Using Crisanta does not protect you or your partner against sexually transmitted diseases (such as HIV, gonorrhea, chlamydia).
Birth control pills may also be used to treat premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) or moderate acne if you have chosen to use birth control pills as your method of pregnancy prevention.
Take Crisanta by mouth as directed by your doctor, with or without food, usually once daily. Pick a time of day that is easy for you to remember, and take your pill at the same time each day, 24 hours apart. Taking Crisanta after your evening meal or at bedtime may help decrease stomach upset and nausea. Follow the package instructions to find the first tablet, start with the first tablet in the pack, and take them in the correct order. Do not skip any doses. Pregnancy is more likely if you miss pills, start a new pack late, or take your pill at a different time of the day than usual.
Your pill pack contains 21 pills with active medication (with hormones). It may also contain 7 reminder pills (without hormones) at the end of the pack. Take one active pill (with hormones) once daily for 21 days in a row. If you are using a product with 28 tablets, take a reminder pill once daily for 7 days in a row after you have taken the last active pill unless otherwise directed by your doctor. If you are using a product with 21 tablets, do not take any tablets for 7 days unless otherwise directed by your doctor. You should have your period usually within 3 days after you take the last active tablet in the cycle. After you have taken the last reminder pill in the pack or gone 7 days without taking an active tablet, start a new pack the next day whether or not you have your period. If you do not get your period, consult your doctor.
If this is the first time you are using Crisanta and you are not switching from another form of hormonal birth control (such as the patch, other birth control pills), take the first tablet in the pack on the first Sunday following the beginning of your menstrual period or on the first day of your period. If your period begins on a Sunday, begin taking Crisanta on that day. For the first cycle of use only, use an additional form of non-hormonal birth control (such as condoms, spermicide) for the first 7 days to prevent pregnancy until the medication has enough time to work. If you start on the first day of your period, you do not need to use back-up birth control the first week.
Ask your doctor or pharmacist for information about how to switch from other forms of hormonal birth control (such as the patch, other birth control pills) to Crisanta.
Crisanta possible side effects are: nausea, vomiting, headache, bloating, breast tenderness, swelling of the ankles/feet (fluid retention), or weight change may occur. Vaginal bleeding between periods (spotting) or missed/irregular periods may occur, especially during the first few months of use. If any of these effects persist or worsen, notify your doctor promptly. If you miss 2 periods in a row (or 1 period if the pill has not been used properly), contact your doctor for a pregnancy test. Crisanta may raise your blood pressure. Check your blood pressure regularly and tell your doctor if the results are high.
Tell your doctor right away if any of these serious side effects occur: unusual changes in vaginal bleeding (such as continuous spotting, sudden heavy bleeding, missed periods), symptoms of a high potassium blood level (such as muscle weakness, slow/irregular heartbeat).
Get medical help right away if any of these rare but serious side effects occur: lumps in the breast, severe stomach/abdominal pain, dark urine, yellowing eyes/skin, mental/mood changes (such as new/worsening depression, suicidal thoughts).
Crisanta must not be used during pregnancy. If you become pregnant or think you may be pregnant, tell your doctor immediately. If you have just given birth or had a pregnancy loss/abortion after the first 3 months, talk with your doctor about reliable forms of birth control, and find out when it is safe to start using birth control that contains a form of estrogen, such as Crisanta.
