Nextstellis (Estetrol Monohydrate/Drospirenone)

Nextstellis (Estetrol Monohydrate/Drospirenone) is used to prevent pregnancy in women who are 16 to 50 years of age and have had their first menstrual period (menarche). Nextstellis is a birth control pill. It is a combination oral contraceptive. This is because it contains two female sex hormones estetrol monohydrate and drospirenone. The hormone estetrol monohydrate is made from a plant source. Nextstellis has been shown to be effective in preventing pregnancy when taken as prescribed by your healthcare professional. Combination hormonal contraceptives, like Nextstellis work in two ways, to stop the monthly release of an egg by the ovaries and to change the mucus produced by your cervix. This slows the movement of the sperm through the mucus and through the uterus. Take one pill at approximately the same time every day for 28 days. Begin a new pack the next day, not missing any days. Your period should occur during the last four days of using that pill pack.

Manufacturer Information

Common side effects of Nextstellis may include headache; acne; skin colour changes, red skin lumps; burning, prickling skin feeling; excess hair on face, chest, abdomen or legs; breast colour change, pain, swelling or tenderness; decreased libido; weight change; nausea and vomiting; abdominal or back pain; sleep disorder like insomnia or somnolence; dizziness; hot flush; constipation; diarrhea; black or bloody stools; heart burn; urinary tract infection; flu-like symptoms. Call your doctor immediately if you notice more serious side effects such as:
• Behavior and mood changes;
• Blood clot in the artery, heart attack;
• Breast lumps;
• Blood clot in the eye;
• Reproductive system disorders

This is not a complete list of side effects, and others may occur. Contact your doctor if any of these side effects worsen or persist.

Do not take Nextstellis if you smoke and are 35 years of age and older; have or have had blood clots in your arms, legs, lungs, or eyes; have a problem with your blood that makes it clot more than normal; have an irregular heart beat; had a stroke; had a heart attack; have high blood pressure that cannot be controlled by medicine; have diabetes; have severe migraine headaches; have liver problems, including liver tumors; have any unexplained vaginal bleeding; have or have had breast cancer or any cancer that is sensitive to female hormones; have kidney disease. Before taking Nextstellis, tell your healthcare provider about all of your medical conditions, including if you are scheduled for surgery; are depressed now or have been depressed in the past; had yellowing of your skin or eyes caused by pregnancy; are pregnant or think you may be pregnant; are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements, especially CYP inducers (aprepitant, barbituates, bosentan, carbamazepine, efavirenz, felbamate); CYP inhibitors (itraconazole, ketoconazole and others); HIV/hepatitis C virus protease inhibitors and non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (telaprevir, indinavir, nevirapine, etravirine and others); Lamotrigine; Potassium-sparing diuretics (spironolactone and others); Potassium supplementation; Corticosteroids. Nextstellis may not work well if you have a BMI of 30 or higher.

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