Ovral is an oral contraceptive. Oral contraceptives are commonly known as the pill.

Ovral is also known as a birth control pill. Birth control pills contain a combination of hormones that is used to prevent ovulation (the release of an egg from an ovary). Ovral contains a form of estrogen (ethinyl estradiol) and a form of progesterone (norgestrel), which are both female hormones involved in conception. Estrogen and progesterone regulate a woman s menstrual cycle, and the fluctuating levels of these hormones play an essential role

Ovral works by preventing ovulation (the release of an egg from an ovary) and causing changes in the mucus of the cervix, which makes it difficult for sperm to penetrate and for an egg to implant.

Ovral prevents pregnancy by inhibiting the release of the hormones LH (Leutinizing hormone) and FSH (Follicle stimulating hormone) from the pituitary gland in the brain. LH and FSH play key roles in the development of the egg and preparation of the lining of the uterus for implantation of the embryo. Norgestrel also makes the uterine mucus that surrounds

Ovral should be taken daily, every 24 hours, for the duration of the prescribed cycle. Start the cycle according to package directions.

Taking your pill at night may help to reduce any nausea or headache that you may experience because of the hormones.

Ovral is to be taken every day for a 3-week period, followed by 1 week of no Ovral ; this cycle is repeated each month.

1) Starting on the first Sunday after the beginning of your menstrual period, take one tablet daily (at the same time each day) for the next 20 days.

If Ovral is taken with certain other drugs, the effects of either could be increased, decreased, or altered.

It is especially important to check with your doctor before combining Ovral with the following:

• Acetaminophen (Tylenol)
• Amitriptyline (Elavil)
• Ampicillin (Principen)
• Aspirin
• Atorvastatin (Lipitor)
• Barbiturates (phenobarbital, Seconal)
• Carbamazepine (Tegretol)
• Chloramphenicol (Chloromycetin)
• Clofibrate (Questran)
• Clomipramine
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Most Important Fact about Ovral

Cigarette smoking increases the risk of serious heart-related side effects (stroke, heart attack, blood clots, etc.) in women who use Ovral. This risk increases with age. There is an especially significant increase in heart disease risk in women over 35 years old who smoke and use Ovral.

Ovral precautions if you are pregnant or breastfeeding

If you are pregnant (or think you might be), you should not use Ovral , since it is not safe during pregnancy.

More common side effects of Ovral may include:

• abdominal cramps,
• acne,
• appetite changes,
• bladder infection,
• bleeding in spots during a menstrual period,
• bloating,
• blood clots,
• breast tenderness or enlargement,
• cancer of the reproductive organs,
• cataracts,
• chest pain,
• contact lens discomfort,
• decreased flow of milk when given immediately after birth, depression, difficulty breathing, dizziness,
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