Azurette is usually administered once daily at the same time every day in order to keep the levels of hormones consistent. General guidelines for usage are as follows:
Start Azurette: You should start the pack on the first day of your menstrual period if you are starting Azurette and haven’t used a hormonal contraceptive recently. But it can be started at any time during your cycle if pregnancy is excluded; in such cases, the use of backup contraception (for example, condoms) is often recommended for the first 7 days of use.
Take the Pill: The first 21 pills in the pack are active and contain hormones, while the last 7 pills are placebo or inactive. You should take one pill every day at the same time to help remember. If you miss a pill, follow the instructions in the patient package insert regarding what to do, as missed pills may require additional contraception (e.g., condoms) for a short period.
Withdrawal Bleed: After completion of the active pills that is, after 21 days, you will take placebo pills. During this week, you should expect a withdrawal bleed similar to a period. Some women may not experience it or may have light bleeding or spotting.
Azurette works through several key mechanisms to prevent pregnancy:
Ovulation Inhibition: This is the first method Azurette uses to prevent pregnancy by preventing the release of an egg from the ovaries. No egg means no possibility of fertilization, thus no pregnancy.
Thickening of Cervical Mucus: Desogestrel thicken mucus in the cervix, which makes a barrier that prevents sperm penetration into the uterus to get to an egg.
Changes in the uterine lining: The overall mix of hormones in Azurette affects the uterine lining, making it less hospitable to an egg that has been fertilized. Even if implantation were to take place after fertilization, it would be more challenging for the embryo to implant into the modified uterine lining.
While Azurette is generally well tolerated, like all drugs, it may cause side effects in some women. These include:
Nausea and Vomiting: Mild nausea or vomiting may occur, especially when starting the pill.
Headaches: Headaches or migraines may occur, particularly during the first few months of use.
Breast Tenderness: Some women may experience swelling or tenderness in their breasts.
Mood Changes: Hormonal contraceptives such as Azurette may cause mood changes, including depression or mood swings, in some women.
Spotting or Breakthrough Bleeding: Some women may experience spotting or light bleeding between periods, especially during the first few months of use.
Less common but more serious side effects include:
Blood Clots: As with all combination oral contraceptives, Azurette slightly increases the risk of blood clots, especially in women who smoke or are over 35 years old.
Stroke or Heart Attack: Rare, but combination hormonal contraceptives can increase the risk for cardiovascular events, including stroke and heart attack, especially among women with other risk factors, such as smoking, obesity, or high blood pressure.
Liver Problems: Occasionally, hormonal contraceptives can be associated with liver problems, such as jaundice or even liver tumors.
Before beginning Azurette, tell your physician about your medical history. Some important warnings include:
Smoking: Women who smoke and are older than 35 years should avoid using combination oral contraceptives because they have a risk of blood clots, stroke, and heart attack.
Blood Clots: If the patient has a history of blood clots or other conditions that might increase the risk of blood clots, such as deep vein thrombosis or pulmonary embolism, then Azurette would not be recommended.
High Blood Pressure: The drug should not be prescribed to a woman with uncontrolled hypertension because it may cause complications such as heart problems.
Liver Disorders: If you have a history of liver diseases like cirrhosis and liver tumors, your physician may advise against the prescription of Azurette.
Pregnancy: Do not use Azurette if you are pregnant or suspect you are pregnant. It is not for use during pregnancy and will cause fetal harm.
Dosage for Azurette is the same as most combination oral contraceptives:
Take one tablet daily at the same time every day for 28 days (21 active pills and 7 placebo pills).
If you forget a dose, refer to the package insert or consult your doctor for what to do.
If you miss several pills, additional non-prescription backup birth control may be needed.
Azurret is only available through prescription from a physician. Your doctor will review your medical history and assess whether you have any conditions that may prevent you from taking Azurette.