Leena

• Risk factors: Females over 35 years old who smoke | Heavy smoking | High blood pressure | High cholesterol | Obese | Diabetes

Smoking cigarettes while taking Leena can raise the risk of serious heart problems. The risk is higher in females over 35 years old and females who smoke 15 or more cigarettes per day. Females who are taking oral contraceptives, such as Leena, shouldn't smoke because of this risk.

Leena can worsen certain health problems and raise the risk of heart attacks and strokes. These serious problems can lead to death or temporary or permanent disability. Speak to your provider before starting Leena if you have heart problems or any of the risk factors listed above that would put you at a risk for heart problems or strokes. Your provider can help you determine if this medication is safe for you. Let your provider know right away if you experience crushing chest pain, heaviness in the chest, sudden severe headache, vomiting, dizziness, fainting, changes in vision or speech, or weakness or numbness in the arms or legs.

• Risk factors: Females over 35 years old | High blood pressure | Smoking | Surgery | Not moving | Within 4 weeks of childbirth

Leena can raise the risk of blood clots. You are at a higher risk for blood clots if you are going in for surgery, unable to move for a long period of time, or recently delivered a baby. Talk to your provider about stopping Leena at least 4 weeks before and for 2 weeks after your surgery or during bed rest. If you recently delivered a baby, you shouldn't start Leena until at least 4 weeks after delivery if you're not breastfeeding your child. Let your provider know right away if you experience sharp chest pain, coughing up blood, shortness of breath, or pain in your legs, as these could be a sign of a clot in the lung(s).

Although rare, Leena can raise the risk of getting a blood clot in the veins of your eye, which can lead to eye problems. Stop taking Leena and let your provider know right away if you experience any vision changes or vision loss. Get your eyes checked if you have vision changes while wearing contacts or if your eyes can no longer tolerate your contacts.

People who take Leena can sometimes experience irregular bleeding and spotting, especially during the first 3 months of taking this medication. Irregular bleeding can vary from slight staining to bleeding similar to a regular period. This problem might be temporary, so continue taking your medication as directed. Let your provider know if the bleeding is a problem for you and they can change your birth control. If you are missing your periods, make sure you get a pregnancy test to make sure you're not pregnant.

• Risk factors: Older age | Long-term use | High blood pressure | Kidney problems

Leena can raise your blood pressure, so make sure you monitor your blood pressure while you're taking this medication. Speak to your provider if you have high blood pressure or kidney problems, and they can help you pick a different method of birth control that's safer for you. Your blood pressure can return to normal after stopping your oral contraceptives.

• Risk factors: Prediabetes or diabetes | High triglycerides

Leena can raise your blood sugar levels and cholesterol levels. Speak with your provider before starting oral contraceptives if you have diabetes, prediabetes, or high cholesterol. Your provider will monitor you regularly if you have high blood sugar and high cholesterol while you're taking Leena.

• Risk factors: History of breast cancer | Taking COCs for a long time

Study results are mixed, but there's a possibility that Leena and other COCs can raise your risk for breast and cervical cancer.

Don't use Leena 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 provider. Call your healthcare provider 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: Long-term use | Hepatitis C treatment

Don't take Leena if you have liver problems, such as sudden liver infection caused by a virus, severe (decompensated) scarring of the liver, or liver tumors. Although rare, Leena can raise your risk of benign liver tumors. If you experience signs of liver problems, you should stop taking Leena and ask your provider for a different type of birth control. Signs of liver problems can include jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes), along with fever, tiredness, loss of appetite, or dark colored urine. People with liver problems might have trouble breaking down hormones.

Talk to your provider before starting Leena if you are taking medications to treat Hepatitis C. Medications that contain ombitasvir, paritaprevir, and ritonavir, with or without dasabuvir, can raise the liver levels and cause liver problems. Stop taking Leena if you need to start your treatment for Hepatitis C. You can restart Leena 2 weeks after your treatment is completed.

Let your provider know if you experience new or worsening migraines or headaches while taking Leena. You will have to stop your medication if your migraine or headache doesn't go away or becomes severe.