Side Effects of Cesia (Cont.)

Common Side Effects of Cesia

Since it is difficult to obtain much information about side effects from studies that do not use a placebo, because there is no way of knowing if any particular problem is actually a side effect of the medication, only vague information is available about Cesia side effects. In fact, the side effects listed in the prescribing information for Cesia are actually side effects of all birth control pills in general. Some of the common bothersome -- but not usually dangerous -- side effects of birth control pills include:
 
  • Bloating
  • Breast tenderness or other breast changes (such as swelling)
  • Headaches (although birth control pills can improve headaches in some women)
  • Breakthrough bleeding and spotting between periods (especially for the first few cycles)
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Changes in your eyes that make it more difficult to wear contact lenses
  • Changes in sex drive (often a decrease, rather than an increase).
     

Birth Control Pills and Clinical Trials

In the United States, medications must be shown to be safe and effective in clinical studies before they are approved. In clinical studies for most medications, one group of people is given the actual medication, while another group is given a placebo (a "sugar pill" with no active ingredients). Typically, the subjects do not know if they are taking the real medication or the placebo.
 
The side effects in both groups are carefully documented and compared. This way, it is possible to see what side effects occur, how often they appear, and if they are actual side effects of the medication. However, it is not usually possible to use a placebo in clinical trials for contraceptives, as this would lead to many unintentional pregnancies.
 
(Side Effects of Cesia Continued: Page 3)

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Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD;