Microgestin 24 FE birth control

Generic name: Ethinyl Estradiol And Norethindrone (birth Control)
Drug class: Contraceptives

Usage of Microgestin 24 FE birth control

Microgestin 24 FE 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.

Microgestin 24 FE is used as contraception to prevent pregnancy. Microgestin 24 FE 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.

Microgestin 24 FE may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Microgestin 24 FE 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 Microgestin 24 FE 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 Microgestin 24 FE 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 Microgestin 24 FE 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.

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How to use Microgestin 24 FE birth control

Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Use the medicine exactly as directed.

You may need to use back-up birth control, such as condoms with spermicide, when you first start using this medication. Follow your doctor's instructions.

Take one pill every day, no more than 24 hours apart. When the pills run out, start a new pack the following day. You may get pregnant if you do not take one pill daily.

Some birth control packs contain "reminder" pills to keep you on your regular cycle. Your period will usually begin while you are using these reminder pills.

Use a back-up birth control if you are sick with severe vomiting or diarrhea.

You may have breakthrough bleeding. Tell your doctor if it continues or is very heavy.

If you need major surgery or will be on long-term bed rest, you may need to stop using this medicine for a short time. Any doctor or surgeon who treats you should know that you are using Microgestin 24 FE.

While taking birth control pills, you will need to visit your doctor regularly.

Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

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 Microgestin 24 FE 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 Microgestin 24 FE, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible drug interactions are listed here.

Disclaimer

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