Natazia is a combined oral contraceptive that can increase the risk of blood clots and other serious cardiovascular problems.
Before starting Natazia, tell your healthcare provider about your medical conditions, smoking status, family medical history, and all medications and supplements you take.
Blood Clots, Stroke, and Heart Attack
Natazia can increase the risk of blood clots.
Blood clots may develop in the legs as deep vein thrombosis (DVT), travel to the lungs and cause a pulmonary embolism (PE), or contribute to serious cardiovascular events such as a stroke or heart attack.
Seek immediate medical attention if you develop:
- Sudden chest pain
- Shortness of breath
- Coughing up blood
- Sudden swelling or pain in one leg
- Sudden weakness or numbness
- Difficulty speaking
- Sudden severe headache
- Sudden vision changes
Smoking and Natazia
Smoking significantly increases the risk of serious cardiovascular side effects from combined oral contraceptives.
The risk is especially high in women 35 years of age and older who smoke. Natazia should generally not be used in this group.
If you smoke, talk to your healthcare provider about safer birth control options.
High Blood Pressure
Natazia and other combined oral contraceptives can increase blood pressure.
Your healthcare provider may check your blood pressure before and during treatment.
Tell your provider if your blood pressure becomes consistently elevated. Natazia may not be appropriate for people with uncontrolled hypertension.
Drug Interactions
Certain medications can cause the hormones in Natazia to be broken down more quickly.
This may reduce the effectiveness of Natazia and increase the risk of pregnancy.
Tell your healthcare provider about all prescription medications, over-the-counter drugs, vitamins, supplements, and herbal products you take.
You may need to use an additional non-hormonal contraceptive method during treatment with certain interacting medications and for a period afterward.
Breast Cancer
Natazia should not be used in people who currently have, or have had, certain hormone-sensitive cancers such as breast cancer.
Some breast cancers can grow in response to estrogen or other hormones.
Tell your healthcare provider about any personal or family history of breast cancer before starting Natazia.
Liver Problems
Natazia can rarely cause liver problems and should not be used in people with certain serious liver conditions or liver tumors.
Contact your healthcare provider if you develop symptoms such as:
- Yellowing of the skin or eyes
- Dark urine
- Persistent nausea
- Severe upper abdominal pain
- Unusual tiredness
Diabetes and Blood Sugar
Natazia may affect glucose metabolism in some people.
If you have diabetes, your healthcare provider may recommend monitoring your blood sugar more closely after starting treatment.
Report significant or unexplained changes in your blood glucose levels.
High Triglycerides
Combined oral contraceptives may increase triglyceride levels in some patients.
People who already have very high triglycerides may have an increased risk of pancreatitis.
Tell your healthcare provider if you have a history of elevated triglycerides or pancreatitis.
Chloasma
Natazia may contribute to chloasma, which causes brown or darker patches of skin, commonly on the face.
If you have developed chloasma during pregnancy or while using hormonal contraceptives in the past, limit unnecessary exposure to sunlight and ultraviolet light.
Using sun protection may help prevent the pigmentation from becoming more noticeable.
Hereditary Angioedema
Estrogen-containing contraceptives such as Natazia may trigger or worsen symptoms in people with hereditary angioedema.
Tell your healthcare provider if you have a history of this condition before starting treatment.
Regular Medical Follow-Up
Regular checkups are important while taking Natazia.
Your healthcare provider may monitor your blood pressure and review changes in your health, medications, blood sugar, triglycerides, or other cardiovascular risk factors.
Contact your healthcare provider promptly if you develop new or worsening symptoms, and seek emergency care for possible signs of a blood clot, stroke, or heart attack.
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