Meryl asked
I was taking Seasonique for years as prescribed by my doctor but my last time at the pharmacy I was given Amethia. Are they the same?
Answer
Amethia is the generic equivalent of Seasonique. They contain the same active ingredients, in the same amounts (Ethinyl Estradiol 0.03mg; Levonorgestrel 0.15mg). Amethia can be substituted for Seasonique by your pharmacy as long as your doctor doesn't specify otherwise. They are both indicted to prevent pregnancy and are often used off label for other conditions such as dysmenorrhea and heavy menstrual bleeding.
While the active ingredients in Amethia and Seasonique are the same, they contain different inactive ingredients, which is why they look different.
Below are the ingredients for both Amethia and Seasonique.
Seasonique Ingredients
Seasonique is a 91 day continuous-cycle birth control pill that contains no hormone free interval. It contains 84 combined hormone pills (ethinyl estradiol 0.03mg; levonorgestrel 0.15mg) and 7 low dose estrogen pills (0.01mg ethinyl estradiol), which allow withdrawal bleeding to occur when taken.
The 84 combined hormone pills contain:
- Levonorgestrel 0.15mg
- Ethinyl Estradiol 0.03mg
- D&C Yellow No. 10
- FD&C Blue No. 1
- FD&C Yellow No. 6
- Hypromellose
- Lactose
- Magnesium Stearate
- Microcrystalline Cellulose
- Titanium Dioxide
- Triacetin
The 7 low dose estrogen pills contain:
- Ethinyl Estradiol 0.01 mg
- D&C Yellow No. 10
- FD&C Yellow No. 6
- Hypromellose
- Lactose
- Magnesium Stearate
- Microcrystalline Cellulose
- Polacrilin potassium
- Polyethylene Glycol
- Polysorbate 80
- Titanium Dioxide
Amethia Ingredients
Like Seasonique, Amethiais also a 91 day continuous-cycle birth control pill that contains no hormone free interval. It contains 84 combined hormone pills (ethinyl estradiol 0.03mg; levonorgestrel 0.15mg) and 7 low dose estrogen pills (0.01mg ethinyl estradiol) which allow withdrawal bleeding to occur when taken.
The 84 combined hormone pills contain:
- Levonorgestrel 0.15mg
- Ethinyl Estradiol 0.03mg
- Croscarmellose Sodium
- Lactose
- Magnesium Stearate
- Microcrystalline Cellulose
- Povidone
The 7 low dose estrogen pills contain:
- Ethinyl Estradiol 0.01 mg
- Corn Starch
- FD&C Blue No. 1
- Lactose
- Povidone
- Silicon Dioxide (Colloidal)
- Stearic Acid
- Vitamin E
Information About Ethinyl Estradiol/Levonorgestrel
The two hormones, ethinyl estradiol and levonorgestrel, contained in Amethia and Seasonique are used to prevent pregnancy. They are also used off label for:
- Amenorrhea
- Endometriosis
- Polycystic ovary syndrome
How It Works
Birth control pills mostly work by preventing ovulation by maintaining steady hormone levels in the body. However, other changes to the cervical mucus a lining of the uterus can also help. Changes in cervical mucus can make it difficult for sperm to enter the uterus, and a change in the lining of the uterus would reduce the change of implantation.
Levonorgestrel, the progestin in Amethia and Seasonique, is classified as a "second-generation" progestin, which are thought to reduce certain side effects such as breakthrough bleeding and spotting more than first-generation progestins, like norethindrone. However, second-generation progestins also bind more strongly to androgen receptors which can increase the risk of certain side effects such as:
- Acne
- Hirsutism (excess hair growth)
- Dyslipidemia (high cholesterol)
- Weight gain
Seasonique and Amethia are classified as "continuous-cycle" birth control pills, and contain no hormone free interval. Both contain 91 total pills:
- 84 pills, each containing ethinyl estradiol and levonorgestrel
- 7 pills, each containing low dose ethinyl estradiol
Seasonique and Amethia are taken once daily. During the 7 low dose estrogen pills, menses will occur and the low dose of estrogen is thought to lessen certain menstrual disorders.
Seasonique and Amethia, as well as other continuous cycle birth control pills, are often used for those who have menstrual-related problems such as spotting, PMDD (premenstrual dysphoric disorder), or for those who prefer not to have a monthly period.
The long term safely of continuous cycle birth control pills isn't entirely known, but it is important to consider that those taking continuous cycles will be exposed to more hormones over time. Nevertheless, they are not thought to be harmful according to most studies.
Contraindications
Birth control should not be used in women who have:
- Blood clotting disorders or history of blood clots
- Coronary artery disease
- Cerebral vascular disease
- Known or suspected breast or uterine cancer
- Undiagnosed abnormal genital bleeding Liver disease, liver cancer, jaundice, or previous jaundice with pill use Known or suspected pregnancy
Warnings
Smoking while taking birth control pills can increase the risk of having cardiovascular side effects (heart attack, stroke, blood clot). Smoking should be avoided. This risk increases with heavy smoking and with age. The risk is significantly higher in women over the age of 35 years.
Potential Side Effects
- Nausea
- Cramping
- Bloating
- Vomiting
- Weight gain
- Breast tenderness
- Headache
- Spotting and/or breakthrough bleeding or other changes in menstrual cycle
Other Information
- Consult your doctor when starting any new medications, over-the-counter medications, or supplements.
- Birth control pills may interact with: rifampin, anticonvulsants (phenobarbital, phenytoin, carbamazepine), and some antibiotics (penicillins, tetracycline, griseofulvin).
- If you suspect you might be pregnant, consult a doctor immediately, as this medication may be harmful to a fetus.
- Consult your doctor immediately if you notice symptoms of an allergic reaction, breast discharge or lumps, pain or swelling or unusual redness in your lower legs, chest pain or tightness, numbness or weakness in arms or legs or on one side of the body, dark urine or pale stool, or yellowing of the skin or eye.
