Ethinyl estradiol and norgestrel

Generic name: Ethinyl Estradiol And Norgestrel
Dosage form: oral tablet (30 mcg-0.3 mg)
Drug class: Contraceptives

Usage of Ethinyl estradiol and norgestrel

Ethinyl estradiol and norgestrel is used as contraception to prevent pregnancy in women of reproductive age.

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

Ethinyl estradiol and norgestrel 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.

Birth control pills may cause serious side effects. Stop using birth control pills 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

changes in the pattern or severity of migraine headaches.

Common side effects of ethinyl estradiol and norgestrel may include:

changes in weight or appetite, stomach pain, gas, nausea or vomiting;

headache, nervousness, depression, fatigue;

vaginal bleeding or spotting, breakthrough bleeding;

acne, darkening of facial skin;

worsening of varicose veins;

breast tenderness or menstrual cramps; or

cervical problems, vaginal itching, or discharge.

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 norgestrel

Taking birth control pills can increase your risk of blood clots, stroke, or heart attack.

Smoking can greatly increase your risk of blood clots, stroke, or heart attack. You should not take birth control pills if you smoke and are over 35 years old.

You should not take birth control pills if you have:

untreated or uncontrolled high blood pressure;

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;

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 take any hepatitis C medication containing ombitasvir/paritaprevir/ritonavir, with or without dasabuvir; or

liver disease or liver cancer.

Tell your doctor if you have or have ever had:

depression;

a condition called hereditary angioedema;

jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes); or

liver or kidney disease.

Do not use if you are pregnant. Stop using birth control pills 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.

Ask a doctor if it is safe to breastfeed while using birth control pills.

Relate drugs

How to use Ethinyl estradiol and norgestrel

Usual Adult Dose for Contraception:

1 tablet orally once a dayComments:-To be taken at the same time each day.-Correct and consistent use can result in low failure rates.-Withdrawal bleeding usually occurs within 3 days after discontinuing active tablets.Use: For the prevention of pregnancy in women who elect to use this product as a method of contraception

Usual Pediatric Dose for Contraception:

Warnings

Do not take 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: heart problems, coronary artery disease, circulation problems, undiagnosed vaginal bleeding, liver problems, 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.

What other drugs will affect Ethinyl estradiol and norgestrel

Sometimes it is not safe to use certain medicines at the same time. Some drugs can affect your blood levels of other drugs you use, which may increase side effects or make the medicines less effective.

Tell your doctor about all your other medicines, especially:

St. John's wort;

colesevelam;

cholesterol lowering medicine such as atorvastatin, or rosuvastatin; or

HIV or AIDS medicine such as ritonavir, nelfinavir, indinavir, nevirapine, etravirine, and others.

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

Disclaimer

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