Camrese Lo is a birth control pill that helps prevent pregnancy. It's a combined oral contraceptive (COC), meaning it contains 2 hormones: levonorgestrel (a progestin) and ethinyl estradiol (an estrogen). Camrese Lo is an extended cycle birth control that follows a 91-day schedule. You take one active pill every day for 84 days, then a very low-dose estrogen pill for the next 7 days. This birth control lets you have a period once every three months, instead of monthly. Some potential side effects include nausea, spotting, and breakthrough bleeding.
Camrese Lo is a generic of the discontinued brand name LoSeasonique. Other generics that are like Camrese Lo include Lo Simpesse and LoJaimiess.
To prevent pregnancy
Camrese Lo is a combined contraceptive that contains two hormones: ethinyl estradiol (an estrogen) and levonorgestrel (a progestin). Both hormones work together to prevent pregnancy by:
Stopping ovulation (release of an egg from the ovary)
Changing cervical mucus to block sperm movement
Creating an unfriendly environment for the fertilized egg by changing the lining in the uterus (womb)
Source: DailyMed
Side effects that you should report to your care team as soon as possible:
Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report these to your care team if they continue or are bothersome):
Once-daily dosing
Lower dose of hormones compared to other birth control pills
Period once every 3 months, instead of monthly
Works better to prevent pregnancy than some other birth control methods
Not safe for females over 35 years old who smoke
Can cause unpleasant side effects like nausea, vomiting, and headaches
Doesn't protect against sexually transmitted diseases (STDs)
Must take it at the same time every day for it to work well
Before starting Camrese Lo, discuss your full medical history with your prescriber. This medication can worsen certain conditions. Some examples are chloasma (a condition that causes dark skin patches) and hereditary angioedema (episodes of severe swelling in your body). If you have chloasma, limit sun exposure while taking Camrese Lo.
You can begin taking Camrese Lo on the first Sunday after your period starts (even if you're still bleeding). If your period starts on a Sunday, then start taking Camrese Lo on that day. You'll need to use a non-hormonal method of birth control (e.g., condom or spermicide) for 7 days to give the medication time to work.
Set an alarm to help you remember to take Camrese Lo at the same time every day. Forgetting to take your pill raises the chance of getting pregnant.
If you miss a dose, refer to the instructions that came with your prescription or call your prescriber for further instructions.
You might have some spotting or feel nauseous after starting Camrese Lo. These are some of the more common side effects of this birth control. Your symptoms should get better over time. But if they don't, contact your prescriber.
If you have vomiting or diarrhea, or take certain medications, Camrese Lo might not work as well for you. Always use a back-up birth control method until you're able to check with your healthcare professional.
Contact your optometrist right away if you wear contact lenses and notice vision changes when wearing them or when wearing your glasses while taking Camrese Lo.
Oral contraceptives like Camrese Lo can lower the amount of breast milk you're able to produce while breastfeeding. If you're breastfeeding, ask your prescriber about alternative birth control options.
If you've been taking Camrese Lo as instructed and have missed two periods in a row or feel like you might be pregnant, call your prescriber. Studies haven't shown a risk of birth defects in females who've used birth control pills before pregnancy or during early pregnancy, but it's no longer necessary to take them once you're pregnant.
Camrese Lo has been prescribed specifically for you, so don't share it with anyone who wants to take birth control. Their healthcare professional should evaluate them to make sure they get a safe option.
Camrese Lo can cause some serious health issues. This risk may be even higher for certain groups. If this worries you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist about other options.
Risk factors: Females over 35 years old who smoke cigarettes
If you smoke cigarettes, using combined oral contraceptives (COCs) like Camrese Lo raises your risk for serious health problems, such as strokes, heart attacks, and blood clots. Females aged 35 years and older who smoke are at even higher risk for these problems. If you smoke, talk with your healthcare professional about safer birth control alternatives.
Risk factors: Females over 35 years old who smoke | Females over 40 years old who don't smoke | Recent surgery with a long period of bed rest | Starting Camrese Lo less than a month after childbirth | High blood pressure | People identified as obese | High cholesterol | Diabetes | Higher dose of estrogen
Camrese Lo raises your risk of blood clots. These clots can occur anywhere in your body, including your lungs (pulmonary embolism or PE), legs (deep vein thrombosis or DVT), brain (stroke), and heart (heart attack). Get emergency help right away if you have any signs of a blood clot:
Brain: weakness or numbness in your arms, legs, or face on one side of the body, trouble speaking, blurred vision, dizziness, loss of balance, trouble walking, or confusion
Eyes: trouble seeing, bulging eye, double vision
Heart: chest pain, sweating, nausea, or dizziness
Lungs: trouble breathing, chest pain, or cough
Legs: cramps, swelling, pain, or muscle tightness
If you need to have surgery, tell your healthcare professional you're taking Camrese Lo. They might have you stop taking it 4 weeks before the surgery up until 2 weeks after your surgery to lower your risk of blood clots.
Risk factors: History of breast cancer | Taking COCs for a long time
Study results are mixed, but there's a possibility that Camrese Lo and other COCs can raise your risk for breast and cervical cancer.
Don't use Camrese Lo if you have breast cancer because some types of breast cancer grow faster in the presence of estrogen, an ingredient in this birth control pill. To help with early breast cancer detection, you can do monthly breast self-checks at home and yearly breast exams with your healthcare professional. Call your HCP if you notice any abnormal changes or feel lumps, pain, or swelling in your breasts.
Get medical help right away if you experience abnormal vaginal bleeding, discharge, or pain during sex, since these could be signs of cervical cancer.
Risk factors: Liver problems or infection in the liver | Taking COCs with 50 mcg of estrogen or higher
Though rare, Camrese Lo can cause liver problems, such as liver damage and liver tumors. These problems are linked more with earlier formulations of COCs that contained higher levels of estrogen (50 mcg or higher), and less so with Camrese Lo since it at most only contains 20 mcg of estrogen. Don't use this medication if you already have liver problems. Call your HCP right away if you experience symptoms of liver problems, such as tiredness, stomach pain, or yellowing of the skin or whites of the eyes.
Some studies show that Camrese Lo can raise the risk of gallbladder disease since more progestin and estrogen can lead to higher chance of gallstones. Although the risk is low, talk to your prescriber if you a history of gallbladder disease before starting Camrese Lo.
Risk factors: History of high blood pressure | Older age | Long-term use | Kidney problems | High dose
A rise in blood pressure has been reported in females taking COCs like Camrese Lo. The risk is higher in older females and females who take COCs for a long period of time. Check your blood pressure regularly. If you notice your blood pressure is higher while you're taking this medication, contact your HCP. If you have uncontrolled high blood pressure, Camrese Lo might not be the best option for you.
Risk factors: Prediabetes or diabetes | Personal or family history of high triglycerides
Camrese Lo can raise your levels of blood sugar and triglycerides (a type of fat). If you've been diagnosed with prediabetes or diabetes, your risk of having your blood sugar rise is much higher. This is because Camrese Lo can prevent your body from breaking down sugar efficiently. Additionally, this medication can also affect your level of triglycerides. High triglycerides might lead to a higher risk of pancreatitis (pancreas inflammation). Speak with your prescriber before starting Camrese Lo if you have a history of high blood sugar or triglycerides. They might help you choose another birth control or monitor your blood work more closely if you take this medication.
Headaches are a common side effect of COCs like Camrese Lo. But, if you experience a new migraine, a migraine that's worse than normal, or a new headache that keeps coming back or is severe, call your prescriber so you can be checked out.
Risk factors: History of depression
Let your care team know if you experience symptoms of depression or worsening depression while taking Camrese Lo. In cases of serious depression, your prescriber might have you stop taking it.
Breakthrough bleeding and spotting are common side effects of hormonal birth control pills. This is more common during the first 3 months of using Camrese Lo, and should get better over time. You might only get your period four times per year while taking this birth control pill. Let your prescriber know if you experience any vaginal bleeding outside of your period or if your period has stopped completely. There are other causes besides your birth control pills for irregular bleeding that your HCP will evaluate.
Certain medications can make Camrese Lo get broken down faster in your body, making it less effective (not work as well) and can lead to pregnancy. Some examples include carbamazepine (Tegretol) and phenytoin (Dilantin). You'll likely need to use a back-up method or other form of birth control for several weeks after stopping any of these medications. Other medications can raise the amount of Camrese Lo in your body, which can lead to more side effects. Make sure to tell your prescriber or pharmacist all of your medications so they can make sure they don't interact with Camrese Lo.
If you have hepatitis C and need to be treated with Viekira Pak (dasabuvir / ombitasvir / paritaprevir / ritonavir), let your HCP know right away that you're taking a COC. You'll need to stop Camrese Lo before starting Viekira Pak because taking them together can cause liver problems. You can start Camrese Lo again 2 weeks after you stop Viekira Pak.
Dosage | Quantity | Price as low as | Price per unit |
---|---|---|---|
91 tablets | 1 package | $33.03 | $33.03 |
Camrese Lo (and other branded generics) comes in a 91-day pack. Your medication might look different depending on which branded generic your healthcare professional (HCP) prescribes. Please take the medication as instructed by your HCP or by following the directions on the package.
There are 91 tablets and they contain different dosages of levonorgestrel and ethinyl estradiol. In general:
Day 1 through 84: 0.1 mg levonorgestrel and 20 mcg ethinyl estradiol
Day 85 through 91: 10 mcg ethinyl estradiol only
The typical dose is 1 tablet by mouth at the same time every day for 91 days, following the order instructed on the package.
Smoking and age 35 and older
Currently have or history of DVT, PE, or other blood clotting problems
Cerebrovascular disease (problems with blood flow in the brain)
Coronary artery disease (problems with blood flow in the heart)
Certain heart valve or heart rhythm problems
Uncontrolled high blood pressure
Diabetes with blood vessel problems
Certain types of headaches with neurological symptoms
Age 35 years and older with any migraines
Currently have or have a history of breast cancer
Liver tumors
Liver disease
Pregnancy
Taking hepatitis C medication containing ombitasvir / paritaprevir / ritonavir, with or without dasabuvir
To prevent pregnancy
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