Preven EC

Preven EC contains a combination of ethinyl estradiol and levonorgestrel. Ethinyl estradiol and levonorgestrel are forms of estrogen and progesterone, which are both female hormones involved in conception.

Preven EC is used as an emergency contraceptive (EC) to prevent pregnancy after contraceptive failure or unprotected intercourse. Preven EC prevents ovulation (the release of an egg from an ovary), disrupt fertilization (joining of the egg and sperm), and inhibit implantation (attachment of a fertilized egg to the uterus).

Before taking Preven EC, tell your doctor if you

• have high blood pressure, angina, or heart disease;
• have had a stroke;
• have a bleeding or blood-clotting disorder;
• have breast, uterine, or another hormone-related cancer;
• have liver disease;
• have undiagnosed, abnormal vaginal bleeding;
• have migraines or severe, recurrent headaches;
• have diabetes; or
• smoke.

You may not be able to take Preven EC, or you may require special monitoring during treatment if you have any of the conditions listed above. Preven EC should not be used at any time during pregnancy except in an attempt to prevent pregnancy within 72 hours following unprotected sexual intercourse. Ethinyl estradiol and levonorgestrel pass into breast milk and may affect milk production. Do not take Preven EC without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

Preven EC does not protect you from sexually transmitted diseases--including HIV and AIDS.

Avoid smoking. Smoking increases your risk of developing a heart attack, stroke, or blood clot while taking Preven EC.

Some drugs may decrease the effectiveness of Preven EC, which may result in pregnancy. Before taking Preven EC, talk to your doctor if you are taking any of the following medicines:

• a penicillin antibiotic such as amoxicillin (Amoxil, Trimox, Augmentin, others), penicillin (Veetids, Pen Vee K, Bicillin, Permapen, others), ampicillin (Principen, Omnipen, Totacillin, others), bacampicillin (Spectrobid), carbenicillin (Geocillin), cloxacillin (Cloxapen, Tegopen), dicloxacillin (Dynapen, Dycill, others), nafcillin (Unipen, others), or oxacillin (Bactocill, others);
• a tetracycline antibiotic such as demeclocycline (Declomycin), doxycycline (Doryx, Doxy, Vibramycin, Vibra-Tabs, others), minocycline (Minocin), or tetracycline (Sumycin, Achromycin, Robitet, Panmycin, others);
• a barbiturate such as amobarbital (Amytal), butabarbital (Butisol), mephobarbital (Mebaral), secobarbital (Seconal), or phenobarbital (Luminal, Solfoton);
• a seizure or pain medicine such as phenytoin (Dilantin), primidone (Mysoline), ethosuximide (Zarontin), carbamazepine (Tegretol), and others; or
• rifampin (Rifadin).

You may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during treatment if you are taking any of the medicines listed above.

Drugs other than those listed here may also interact with Preven EC. Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before taking any prescription or over-the-counter medicines.

Preven EC is available with a prescription under the brand name Preven Emergency Contraceptive Kit (or Preven EC). Other brand name or generic formulations may also be available. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about this medication, especially if it is new to you.

Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Copyright 1996-2018 Cerner Multum, Inc. Version: 2.03.

Medical Disclaimer