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What should I discuss with my doctor before taking drospirenone and estradiol (Angeliq)?

Drospirenone may raise potassium levels in your blood. Other medical conditions can also affect potassium levels. Before using drospirenone and estradiol, tell your doctor if you have any of the following:

• a history of liver disease;
• a history of jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes) during a pregnancy or while using birth control pills;
• kidney disease;
• adrenal insufficiency;
• hemophilia or other bleeding disorder;
• a history of stroke or blood clot;
• unusual vaginal bleeding; or
• any type of breast, uterine, or hormone-dependent cancer.

Certain medicines can also affect potassium levels. Tell your doctor if you use any of the following drugs:

• heparin;
• aspirin or other NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) such as celecoxib (Celebrex), diclofenac (Voltaren), ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil), indomethacin, naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn), piroxicam (Feldene);
• a diuretic ("water pill") such as spironolactone (Aldactone), triamterene (Dyrenium, Dyazide, Maxzide), amiloride (Midamor), or eplerenone (Inspra);
• a potassium supplement such as Klor-Con, K-Dur, K-Tab;
• an ACE inhibitor such as benazepril (Lotensin), lisinopril (Prinivil, Zestril), enalapril (Vasotec); or
• blood pressure medicine such as candesartan (Atacand), losartan (Cozaar), telmisartan (Micardis).

If you have any of the following conditions, you may not be able to use drospirenone and estradiol, or you may need a dosage adjustment or special tests during treatment:

• high blood pressure, angina, heart disease, high cholesterol or triglycerides;
• liver or kidney disease;
• asthma;
• epilepsy;
• migraines, depression;
• diabetes;
• gallbladder disease;
• uterine fibroids; or
• you have had a hysterectomy (uterus removed).

FDA pregnancy category X. This medication can cause birth defects. Do not use this medication if you are pregnant. Tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant during treatment.

Drospirenone and estradiol may affect breast milk. Do not take drospirenone and estradiol without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

Estradiol may increase your risk of developing a condition that may lead to uterine cancer. Taking the combination of drospirenone and estradiol may reduce this risk. Talk with your doctor about your individual situation, and report any unusual vaginal bleeding right away.

How should I take drospirenone and estradiol (Angeliq)?

Take this medication exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not take the medication in larger or smaller amounts, or take it for longer than recommended by your doctor.

Take each dose with a full glass of water.

Try to take drospirenone and estradiol at the same time each day.

Store drospirenone and estradiol at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

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