Ethinyl estradiol and norethindrone birth control

Generic name: Ethinyl Estradiol And Norethindrone (birth Control)

Usage of Ethinyl estradiol and norethindrone birth control

Ethinyl estradiol and norethindrone is a combination birth control pill containing female hormones that prevent ovulation (the release of an egg from an ovary). This medication also causes changes in your cervical mucus and uterine lining, making it harder for sperm to reach the uterus and harder for a fertilized egg to attach to the uterus.

Ethinyl estradiol and norethindrone is used as contraception to prevent pregnancy. ethinyl estradiol and norethindrone is also used to treat moderate acne in women who are at least 15 years old and have started having menstrual periods, and who wish to use birth control pills. There are many available brands of ethinyl estradiol and norethindrone. Not all brands are listed on this leaflet.

Ethinyl estradiol and norethindrone may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Ethinyl estradiol and norethindrone birth control side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

This medicine may cause serious side effects. Stop using this medicine and call your doctor at once if you have:

signs of a stroke--sudden numbness or weakness, severe headache, slurred speech, problems with vision or balance;

signs of a blood clot in the lung--chest pain, sudden cough or shortness of breath, dizziness, coughing up blood;

signs of a blood clot deep in the body--pain, swelling, or warmth in one leg;

heart attack symptoms--chest pain or pressure, pain spreading to your jaw or shoulder, nausea, sweating;

liver problems--swelling around your midsection, right-sided upper stomach pain, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes);

increased blood pressure--severe headache, blurred vision, pounding in your neck or ears;

depression--mood changes, feelings of low self-worth, loss of interest in things you once enjoyed, new sleep problems, thoughts about hurting yourself;

swelling in your hands, ankles, or feet, or a breast lump; or

a change in the pattern or severity of migraine headaches.

Common side effects of ethinyl estradiol and norethindrone may include:

nausea, vomiting;

breast tenderness, or breakthrough bleeding; or

headache, or problems with contact lenses.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Before taking Ethinyl estradiol and norethindrone birth control

Taking birth control pills can increase your risk of blood clots, stroke, or heart attack. You are even more at risk if you have high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol, or if you are overweight. Your risk of stroke or blood clot is highest during your first year of taking birth control pills. Your risk is also high when you restart birth control pills after not taking them for 4 weeks or longer.

Smoking can increase your risk of blood clots, stroke, or heart attack caused by birth control pills, especially if you are older than 35.

Do not use if you are pregnant. Stop using ethinyl estradiol and norethindrone and tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant, or if you miss 2 menstrual periods in a row. If you have recently had a baby, wait at least 4 weeks before taking birth control pills.

You should not take birth control pills if you have:

untreated or uncontrolled high blood pressure, or heart disease (chest pain, coronary artery disease, history of heart attack, stroke, or blood clot);

an increased risk of having blood clots due to a heart problem or a hereditary blood disorder;

circulation problems (especially if caused by diabetes);

a history of hormone-related cancer, or cancer of the breast, uterus/cervix, or vagina;

unusual vaginal bleeding that has not been checked by a doctor;

liver disease or liver cancer;

severe migraine headaches (with aura, numbness, weakness, or vision changes), especially if you are older than 35;

a history of jaundice caused by pregnancy or birth control pills;

if you smoke and are over 35 years old; or

if you take any hepatitis C medication containing ombitasvir/paritaprevir/ritonavir with or without dasabuvir.

Tell your doctor if you have ever had:

heart problems, high blood pressure, or if you are prone to having blood clots;

high cholesterol or triglycerides, or if you are overweight;

depression;

a seizure or migraine headache;

diabetes, gallbladder disease, underactive thyroid;

liver or kidney disease; or

irregular menstrual cycles, or fibrocystic breast disease, lumps, nodules, or an abnormal mammogram.

Ask a doctor if it is safe to breastfeed while using this medicine.

How to use Ethinyl estradiol and norethindrone birth control

Usual Adult Dose for Contraception:

1 tablet orally once a dayComments: To be taken at the same time each day.

Usual Adult Dose for Postmenopausal Symptoms:

1 tablet orally once a dayComments: Not all preparations are indicated for the treatment of vasomotor symptoms due to menopause; the manufacturer product information should be consulted.Use: For the treatment of moderate to severe vasomotor symptoms due to menopause

Usual Adult Dose for Acne:

1 tablet orally once a dayComments: Not all preparations are indicated for the treatment of acne; the manufacturer product information should be consulted.Use: For the treatment of moderate acne vulgaris in females with no known contraindications to oral contraceptive therapy and who have achieved menarche and are unresponsive to topical anti-acne medications

Usual Adult Dose for Prevention of Osteoporosis:

1 tablet orally once a dayComments:-Not all preparations are indicated for the prevention of postmenopausal osteoporosis; the manufacturer product information should be consulted.-When prescribing solely for the prevention of postmenopausal osteoporosis, therapy should only be considered for women at significant risk of osteoporosis and non-estrogen medication should be carefully considered.Use: For the prevention of postmenopausal osteoporosis

Usual Pediatric Dose for Contraception:

1 tablet orally once a dayComments: To be taken at the same time each day.

Usual Pediatric Dose for Acne:

15 years or older: 1 tablet orally once a dayComments:-Not all preparations are indicated for the treatment of acne; the manufacturer product information should be consulted.-Use should be reserved for the treatment of acne only if the patient desires an oral contraceptive for birth control and plans to stay on it for at least 6 monthsUse: For the treatment of moderate acne vulgaris in females at least 15 years of age with no known contraindications to oral contraceptive therapy and who have achieved menarche and are unresponsive to topical anti-acne medications

Warnings

Do not use birth control pills if you are pregnant or if you have recently had a baby.

You should not use birth control pills if you have: uncontrolled high blood pressure, heart disease, coronary artery disease, circulation problems (especially with diabetes), undiagnosed vaginal bleeding, liver disease or liver cancer, severe migraine headaches, if you also take certain hepatitis C medication, if you will have major surgery, if you smoke and are over 35, or if you have ever had a heart attack, a stroke, a blood clot, jaundice caused by pregnancy or birth control pills, or cancer of the breast, uterus/cervix, or vagina.

Smoking, especially if you are older than 35, or taking birth control pills can increase your risk of blood clots, stroke, or heart attack.

What other drugs will affect Ethinyl estradiol and norethindrone birth control

Tell your doctor about all your other medicines, especially:

rifampin;

troglitazone;

atorvastatin;

glecaprevir/pibrentasvir; or

anticonvulsants (antiepileptics) such as phenobarbital, phenytoin, and Carbamazepine.

This list is not complete. Other drugs may affect ethinyl estradiol and norethindrone, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible drug interactions are listed here.

Disclaimer

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