Merzee Dosage

How to Take MERZEE

To achieve maximum contraceptive effectiveness, MERZEE must be taken exactly as directed. Instruct patients to take one capsule by mouth at the same time every day. Capsules must be taken in the order directed on the blister pack. Capsules should not be skipped or taken at intervals exceeding 24 hours. MERZEE may be administered without regard to meals [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.3)].

How to Start MERZEE

Instruct the patient to begin taking MERZEE either on the first day of her menstrual period (Day 1 Start) or on the first Sunday after the onset of her menstrual period (Sunday Start).

Day 1 Start
During the first cycle of MERZEE use, instruct the patient to take one pink capsule daily, beginning on Day one (1) of her menstrual cycle (the first day of menstruation is Day one). She should take one pink capsule daily for 24 consecutive days, followed by one maroon capsule daily on days 25 through 28. MERZEE should be taken in the order directed on the package at the same time each day. Instruct the patient to use a non-hormonal contraceptive as back-up during the first 7 days if she starts taking MERZEE on a day other than the first day of her menstrual cycle. The possibility of ovulation and conception prior to initiation of medication should be considered.

Sunday Start
During the first cycle of MERZEE use, instruct the patient to take one pink capsule daily, beginning on the first Sunday after the onset of her menstrual period. She should take one pink capsules capsule daily for 24 consecutive days, followed by one maroon capsule daily on days 25 through 28. MERZEE should be taken in the order directed on the package at the same time each day. MERZEE should not be considered effective as a contraceptive until after the first 7 consecutive days of product administration. Instruct the patient to use a non-hormonal contraceptive as back-up during the first 7 days. The possibility of ovulation and conception prior to initiation of medication should be considered.

The patient should begin her next and all subsequent 28-day regimens of MERZEE on the same day of the week that she began her first regimen, following the same schedule. She should begin taking her pink capsules on the next day after ingestion of the last maroon capsule, regardless of whether or not a menstrual period has occurred or is still in progress. Anytime a subsequent cycle of MERZEE is started later than the day following administration of the last maroon capsule, the patient should use another method of contraception until she has taken a pink capsule daily for 7 consecutive days.

For postpartum women who do not breastfeed or after a second trimester abortion, start MERZEE no earlier than 4 weeks postpartum due to the increased risk of thromboembolism. If the patient starts MERZEE postpartum and has not yet had a period, evaluate for possible pregnancy, and instruct her to use an additional method of contraception until she has taken MERZEE for 7 consecutive days.

MERZEE may be initiated immediately after a first-trimester abortion or miscarriage; if the patient starts MERZEE immediately, additional contraceptive measures are not needed.

Switching from another Hormonal Method of Contraception

If the patient is switching from a combination hormonal method such as:
• Another pill
• Vaginal ring
• Patch

• Instruct her to take the first pink capsule on the day she would have taken her next COC pill. She should not continue taking the tablet from her previous birth control pack, and should not skip any days between packs. If she does not have a withdrawal bleed, rule out pregnancy before starting MERZEE.
• If she previously used a vaginal ring or transdermal patch, she should start using MERZEE on the day she would have resumed the previous product.

If the patient is switching from a progestin-only method such as a:
• Progestin-only pill
• Implant
• Intrauterine system
• Injection

• She may switch any day from a progestin-only pill; instruct her to take the first pink capsule on the day she would have taken her next progestin-only pill. She should use a non-hormonal method of contraception for 7 consecutive days.
• If switching from an implant or injection, start the first pink capsule on the day her next injection would have been due or on the day of removal of her implant.
• If switching from an IUD, depending on the timing of removal, back-up contraception may be needed.

Missed Doses

Table 1. Instructions for Missed MERZEE Capsules

Advice in Case of Gastrointestinal Disturbances

If the patient vomits or has diarrhea (within 3 to 4 hours after she takes a pink capsule), she should follow the instructions in the “What to Do if You Miss Capsules” section [see Dosage and Administration (2.3)].