Kariva (Oral)
Questions
| Reviews 
Sores in Mouth while on Kariva
I started on Kariva in January. It has worked fairly well for me except for the fact that about 40% of the time my period comes a week early. The other side effect I noticed (although I'm not sure that it is related to the pill) is that I get sore...
by Dena in Pennsylvania, 10/08/2007
Missed period while taking Kariva
Me and my boyfriend have been having sex for a while. We use protection every time and he even pulls out before he ejaculates. I started the pill before I got my period and I still haven't got my period yet. Could I be pregnent or is this a side effec...
by Erica in Osceola Mills, Pa, 04/26/2006
Can I be having a allergic reaction?
I am having no rashes but my skin especailly elbows and upper arms itch and also burn so bad. I scratch so much I will bleed. I have been on kariva three months and that is when my itching started. I havent changed anything else in life style. The doc...
by Kathleen C in Huntsville, AL, 01/18/2006
kariva
i've been taking kariva for a month and a half and my right eye started twitching and my lower lip also am i getting an allergic reaction?
by nancy in U.S.A - Texas, 08/16/2006
Yeast infections
I would like to know if Kariva increases your chances of getting yeast infections. Before I started taking Kariva I had never had a yeast infection. Once I started taking it (for about 1 yr.and a half now), I have had at least three yeast infecti...
by Michelle in US, 11/21/2006
View All 14 Questions
Kariva (Oral) Drug and Prescription Information
Kariva (Oral)
Kariva (Oral) Medication Classification
DESOGESTREL/ETHINYL ESTRADIOL (By mouth)
Kariva (Oral) Brandname
Kariva, Mircette, Desogen, Ortho-Cept, Cyclessa, Velivet, Apri
Kariva (Oral) is used for the Treatment
Desogestrel (des-oh-JES-trel), Ethinyl Estradiol (ETH-in-il es-tra-DYE-ole) Used to prevent pregnancy. This medicine is an oral contraceptive (birth control pill).
When To Not Use Kariva (Oral)
You should not use this medicine if you have had an allergic reaction to desogestrel or ethinyl estradiol. You should not use this medicine if you are pregnant or if you have liver or heart disease, a blood vessel disorder, unusual vaginal bleeding that has not been checked by a doctor, or cancer of the breast, liver, or uterus. Do not use this medicine if you have ever had a stroke, problems with blood clots, or jaundice (yellow skin or eyes) caused by pregnancy or birth control pills.
How Should You Use Kariva (Oral)
Tablet
- Your doctor will tell you how much of this medicine to take and how often. Do not take more medicine or take it more often than your doctor tells you to.
- This medicine comes with patient instructions. Read and follow these instructions carefully. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions.
- Never share your medicine with anyone. If a dose is missed:
- This medicine needs to be taken every day on a fixed schedule. If you miss a dose or forget to take your medicine, take it as soon as you can. Then take your next pill at the regular time. This means you may take two pills in one day.
- If you miss two or more pills in a row, see your patient instructions or call your doctor or pharmacist.
Proper Kariva (Oral) Storage
Store Kariva (Oral) at room temperature away from sunlight and moisture unless otherwise stated by manufacturer's instructions or labelling. Keep Kariva (Oral) and all medications out of the reach of children.
What To Avoid While Using Kariva (Oral)
Ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.
- Make sure your doctor knows if you are also using rifampin (Rifadin®, Rifamate®), Lipitor®, acetaminophen (Tylenol®), vitamin C, St. John's Wort, pain or arthritis medicine (such as aspirin, ibuprofen, phenylbutazone, Advil®, Aleve®, Celebrex®, Feldene®, Orudis®, Relafen®, Voltaren®), medicine for seizures (such as phenobarbital, Dilantin®, Tegretol®), antibiotics (such as ampicillin, griseofulvin, tetracycline), medicine to treat fungal infections (such as itraconazole, ketoconazole, Diflucan®, Nizoral®, Sporanox®), or medicines to treat HIV/AIDS (Agenerase®, Crixivan®, Invirase®, Norvir®, Viracept®).
Kariva (Oral) Warnings
- Make sure your doctor knows if you are breastfeeding, or if you have kidney disease, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, breast lumps, a history of depression, family history of breast cancer, or have recently been pregnant.
- This medicine can cause serious side effects such as heart attack or stroke, especially if you have certain health problems, smoke cigarettes, are overweight, are over 40 years old, or plan to use this medicine for several years.
- Make sure any doctor or dentist who treats you knows that you are using this medicine. You may need to stop using this medicine for a few weeks before and after having surgery, or if you will be on bed-rest or otherwise inactive for a period of time. This medicine may affect the results of certain medical tests.
- This medicine will not protect you from getting HIV/AIDS or other sexually transmitted diseases. If this is a concern for you, talk with your doctor.
- Your doctor will need to check your progress at regular visits while you are using this medicine (usually every 6 months to 1 year). Be sure to keep all appointments.
Kariva (Oral) Side Effects
Call your doctor right away if you notice any of these side effects:
- Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in face or hands, swelling or tingling in the mouth or throat, tightness in chest, trouble breathing
- Breast lump
- Heavy vaginal bleeding or missed or late period
- Pain in the chest, lower leg (calf), or stomach, sudden shortness of breath
- Severe or unusual headache(s)
- Swelling in the hands, feet, or ankles
- Trouble seeing, double vision, blurry vision, bulging eyeballs
- Yellow skin or eyes, dark-colored urine, appetite loss, pain in upper stomach If you notice these less serious side effects, talk with your doctor:
- Light bleeding, spotting, or vaginal discharge between periods
- Mild nausea, vomiting, stomach cramps
- Mood changes
