Kariva (28 Day)

Kariva (28 Day) is a combination birth control pill that contains female hormones. These hormones stop ovulation, which is when an egg is released from an ovary. Kariva (28 Day) also changes your cervical mucus and the lining of your uterus, making it more difficult for sperm to reach the uterus and for a fertilized egg to attach to the uterus.

Kariva (28 Day) is used to prevent pregnancy. There are many different brands of this medicine available, and not all brands are included in this leaflet.

Kariva (28 Day) may also be used for other reasons that are not mentioned in this medication guide.

Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Use the medicine exactly as directed.

You will take your first pill on the first day of your period or on the first Sunday after your period begins. You may need to use back-up birth control, such as condoms or a spermicide, when you first start using this medicine. Follow your doctor's instructions.

Take one pill every day, no more than 24 hours apart. When the pills run out, start a new pack the following day. You may get pregnant if you do not take one pill daily. Get your prescription refilled before you run out of pills completely.

Some birth control packs contain seven "reminder" pills to help you stay on your regular cycle. Your period will usually begin while you are using these reminder pills.

You may have breakthrough bleeding. Tell your doctor if it continues or is very heavy.

Use a back-up birth control if you are sick with severe vomiting or diarrhea.

Any doctor or surgeon who treats you should know that you are using birth control pills.

While taking birth control pills, you will need to visit your doctor regularly.

Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

Do not take birth control pills if you are pregnant or if you have recently had a baby.

You should not use birth control pills if you have: heart problems, circulation problems, undiagnosed vaginal bleeding, liver problems, severe migraine headaches, if you also take certain hepatitis C medication, if you will have major surgery, if you smoke and are over 35, or if you have ever had a heart attack, a stroke, a blood clot, jaundice caused by pregnancy or birth control pills, or cancer of the breast, uterus/cervix, or vagina.

Taking birth control pills can increase your risk of blood clots, stroke, or heart attack. You are at an even higher risk if you have high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol, or if you are overweight. Your risk of stroke or blood clot is highest during your first year of taking birth control pills. Your risk is also high when you restart birth control pills after not taking them for 4 weeks or longer.

Smoking can raise your risk of blood clots, stroke, or heart attack from birth control pills, especially if you are over 35 years old.

Do not use if you are pregnant. Stop using Kariva (28 Day) and tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant, or if you miss two menstrual periods in a row. If you have recently had a baby, wait at least 4 weeks before taking birth control pills.

You should not take birth control pills if you have:

• untreated or uncontrolled high blood pressure, or heart disease (chest pain, coronary artery disease, history of heart attack, stroke, circulation problems, or blood clot) or an increased risk of having blood clots due to a heart problem or a hereditary blood disorder;
• a history of hormone-related cancer, or cancer of the breast, uterus/cervix, or vagina;
• unusual vaginal bleeding that has not been checked by a doctor;
• liver disease or liver cancer, if you take any hepatitis C medication containing ombitasvir/paritaprevir/ritonavir with or without dasabuvir or if you have a history of jaundice caused by pregnancy or birth control pills; or
• severe migraine headaches (with aura, numbness, weakness, or vision changes), especially if you are over 35 or if you smoke and are over 35 years old.

Tell your doctor if you have ever had:

• heart disease, high blood pressure, varicose veins, if you are prone to having blood clots, high cholesterol or triglycerides, or if you are overweight;
• depression, migraine headaches, diabetes, gallbladder disease;
• liver or kidney disease; or
• irregular menstrual cycles, fibrocystic breast disease, lumps, nodules, or an abnormal mammogram.

Ask a doctor if it is safe to breastfeed while using this medicine.

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Birth control pills may cause serious side effects. Stop using birth control pills and call your doctor right away if you have:

• signs of a stroke--sudden numbness or weakness, severe headache, slurred speech, problems with vision or balance;
• signs of a blood clot in the lung--chest pain, sudden cough or shortness of breath, dizziness, coughing up blood;
• signs of a blood clot deep in the body--pain, swelling, or warmth in one leg;
• heart attack symptoms--chest pain or pressure, pain spreading to your jaw or shoulder, nausea, sweating;
• liver problems--swelling around your midsection, right-sided upper stomach pain, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes);
• increased blood pressure--severe headache, blurred vision, pounding in your neck or ears;
• depression--mood changes, feelings of low self-worth, loss of interest in things you once enjoyed, new sleep problems, thoughts about hurting yourself;
• swelling in your hands, ankles, or feet, or a breast lump; or
• changes in the pattern or severity of migraine headaches.

Common side effects of Kariva (28 Day) may include:

• weight gain, nausea, vomiting, breast tenderness, or breakthrough bleeding;
• acne, darkening of facial skin; or
• problems with contact lenses.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Follow the instructions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Missing a pill increases your risk of becoming pregnant.

If you miss 1 active pill, take two pills on the day you remember. Then take one pill each day for the rest of the pack.

If you miss 2 active pills in a row in Week 1 or 2, take two pills per day for two days in a row. Then take one pill each day for the rest of the pack. Use back-up birth control for at least 7 days after missing the pills.

If you miss 2 active pills in a row in Week 3, throw out the rest of the pack and start a new pack the same day if you are a Day 1 starter. If you are a Sunday starter, keep taking a pill every day until Sunday. On Sunday, throw out the rest of the pack and start a new pack that day.

If you miss 3 active pills in a row in Week 1, 2, or 3, throw out the rest of the pack and start a new pack on the same day if you are a Day 1 starter. If you are a Sunday starter, keep taking a pill every day until Sunday. On Sunday, throw out the rest of the pack and start a new pack that day.

If you miss two or more pills, you may not have a period during that month. If you miss a period for two months in a row, call your doctor because you might be pregnant.

If you miss a reminder pill, throw it away and keep taking one reminder pill each day until the pack is empty.

Seek emergency medical help or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222. Overdose symptoms may include nausea, vomiting, and vaginal bleeding.

Do not smoke while taking birth control pills, especially if you are older than 35 years old.

Using birth control pills will not stop your disease from spreading. Ask your doctor how to prevent HIV transmission during sex.

Tell your doctor about all the other medicines you are taking, especially:

• phenylbutazone;
• griseofulvin;
• bosentan;
• rifampin;
• St. John's wort;
• glecaprevir/pibrentasvir; or
• anticonvulsants (antiepileptics) such as phenobarbital, phenytoin, carbamazepine, oxcarbazepine, lamotrigine, topiramate, or felbamate.

This list is not complete. Other drugs may affect Kariva (28 Day), including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible drug interactions are listed here.