Ethinyl Estradiol and Desogestrel

What is Ethinyl Estradiol and Desogestrel?

Ethinyl Estradiol is a birth control pill containing hormones that prevent ovulation. Desogestrel and ethinyl are also known to cause changes to your cervical mucus, uterine lining, and hormone levels.Preventing pregnancy is done by using ethinyl estradiol and desogestrel. This medicine is available in many different brands. This leaflet does not list all available brands.This medication guide does not list all possible uses for ethinyl estradiol or desogestrel.

Side effects of Ethinyl Estradiol and Desogestrel

If you experience any of the following symptoms of an allergy reaction , seek immediate medical attention: difficulty breathing, hives, swelling in your lips, face, throat, or tongue.

Some birth control pills can cause severe side effects. Call your doctor immediately if:

• Signs of a stroke: sudden numbness, weakness, or severe headache; slurred or shaky speech.
• Signs of a blood clot in the lungs: chest pain, sudden cough, and shortness of breath; dizziness.
• Signs of a deep blood clot—pain or swelling in one leg
• Heart attack symptoms: chest pain, pressure or pain in your shoulder or jaw, nausea, and sweating.
• Liver problems: swelling around the midsection of your body; upper right stomach pain; lack of appetite; dark-colored urine; clay-colored stool; jaundice (yellowing skin or eyes);
• Increased blood pressure is accompanied by severe headaches, blurred or distorted vision, and a pounding sensation in the neck, ears, or head.
• Depression: mood changes, low self-worth feelings, lack of interest in activities you used to enjoy, sleep disturbances, thoughts of harming yourself
• A breast lump or swelling of the hands, feet, or ankles;
• Changes in migraine headache patterns or severity

Some of the common side effects associated with ethinyl esteradiol or desogestrel include:

• Weight gain or nausea (vomiting), breast tenderness, or bleeding at the start of the period
• Acne is a darkening or discoloration of the skin.
• Contact lenses are causing problems.

There may be other side effects. For medical advice on side effects, call your doctor.Report any side effects by calling the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Warnings

Avoid taking birth control if pregnant or recently delivered.Birth control pills should be avoided if: you suffer from heart disease, circulatory problems, vaginal bleeding that is not diagnosed, liver issues, severe migraines, you are planning major surgery, you take certain hepatitis C medications, you smoke, you're over 35 and you had a previous heart attack or stroke, if your jaundice was caused by birth control or pregnancy, or if cancer has been detected in the breasts, cervix/uterus, or vagina.

Before you take this drug

Birth control pills can increase your risk of blood clots, strokes, and heart attacks. If you suffer from hypertension or diabetes, you may be at greater risk. The risk of a stroke or blood clot increases during the first year you take birth control pills. You are at high risk when you start taking birth control pills again after a break of 4 weeks.Smoking increases your risk for blood clots and strokes caused by birth control pills. This is especially true if you're older than 35.Avoid using this product if pregnant. Tell your doctor immediately if you are pregnant or have missed more than two periods. Wait at least four weeks after giving birth if you've just had your baby.

If you are pregnant, or if:

• Untreated or uncontrolled hypertension, heart disease (chest discomfort, coronary artery disease), history of stroke, heart attack or circulation issues, blood clots, etc.) Or increased blood clot risk due to heart problems or hereditary blood disorders;
• A history of cancers of the uterus, breast, or cervix;
• Unusual vaginal bleeding not checked by your doctor
• Liver disease or liver cancer, if you take any hepatitis C medication containing ombitasvir, paritaprevir, or ritonavir with or without dasabuvir, or if you have a history of jaundice caused by pregnancy or birth control pills;
• Severe migraine headaches with aura, numbness, weakness, or changes in vision, especially for those older than 35 who smoke and/or are above 35,

If you've ever:

• Heart disease, high blood pressure, varicose veins, or If you have a tendency to have blood clots, high cholesterol, triglycerides, or are overweight,
• Gallbladder disease, depression, migraine headaches, and diabetes
• Liver or kidney disease
• Irregular periods, fibrocystic breast disease, or lumps and nodules on a mammogram.

A doctor can tell you if breastfeeding is possible while taking this medication.

How to take Ethinyl Estradiol and Desogestrel?

Read all the instructions or guides that come with your medication and follow all the directions. Follow the directions on your prescription label.Your first pill will be taken on your first period day or the first Sunday following your first period. When you start taking this medication, it may be necessary to use a backup birth control method, like spermicide on condoms. You should follow your doctor's advice.One pill per day is recommended, but no more than one every 24 hours. Start a fresh pack of pills the next day when the old ones run out. If you don't take one daily pill, it is possible to become pregnant. Refill your prescription before the pills run out.Some birth control packages contain seven reminder pills that help you maintain your cycle. Usually, your period begins while you're using the reminder pills.

It is possible that you are bleeding through the skin. If it persists or becomes very heavy, tell your doctor.If you have severe nausea or diarrhea, use backup birth control.You should tell any doctor who treats you that you use birth control pills.You will have to see your doctor frequently if you are taking birth-control pills.Keep away from heat and moisture at room temperature.

Details on dosage

Adult dose for contraception:

0.15 mg desogestrel/0.03 mg ethinyl estradiol tablet regimen:
Day 1–21: Take 1 tablet once daily.
Day 22–28: Orally, 1 inert tab
Biphasic regimen
Day 1–21: Orally, once daily, 0.15 mg desogestrel/0.02 mg ethinyl estradiol.
Day 22 and 23: Orally, take 1 inert tab once daily.
Day 24: Orally take 0.01 mg of ethinyl esteradiol once daily.
Triassic regimen
Day 1–7: Orally, 0.1 mg desogestrel or 0.025 mg ethinyl estradiol tablets.
Day 8–14: Orally, once daily, 0.125 mg desogestrel/0.025 mg ethinyl estradiol.
Day 15–21: Orally, once daily, 0.15 mg desogestrel/0.025 mg ethinyl estradiol.
Day 22–28: Orally, 1 inert tab
Comments:
This drug must be taken every day at the same dose.
Patients may start on the day after their menstrual cycle begins or on the Sunday following the beginning of menstruation.
If patients start on Sunday, they should use additional forms of contraception.
Prevent pregnancy

The usual pediatric dose for contraception is:

Postpubertal adolescents:
0.15 mg desogestrel/0.03 mg ethinyl estradiol tablet regimen:
Day 1–21: Take 1 tablet once daily.
Day 22–28: Orally, 1 inert tab
Biphasic regimen
Day 1–21: Orally, once daily, 0.15 mg desogestrel/0.02 mg ethinyl estradiol.
Day 22 and 23: Orally, take 1 inert tab once daily.
Day 24: Orally take 0.01 mg of ethinyl esteradiol once daily.
Triassic regimen
Day 1–7: Orally, 0.1 mg desogestrel or 0.025 mg ethinyl estradiol tablets.
Day 8–14: Orally, once daily, 0.125 mg desogestrel/0.025 mg ethinyl estradiol.
Day 15–21: Orally, once daily, 0.15 mg desogestrel/0.025 mg ethinyl estradiol.
Day 22–28: Orally, 1 inert tab
Comments:
This drug must be taken every day at the same dose.
Patients may start on the day after their menstrual cycle begins or on the Sunday following the start of menstruation.
If patients start on Sunday, they should use additional forms of contraception.
Prevent pregnancy

What happens if I miss the dose?

Read all the instructions or guides that come with your medication. You are more likely to become pregnant if you miss a pill.Take two active pills the next day if you forget. Take one pill a day until the remainder of the package is used.Take two pills a day in two consecutive days if you missed two active pills back to back in the first or second week. Take one pill a day until the end of your pack. After missing a pill, use a backup birth control method for at least seven days.You can start fresh the next day if your Day 1 starter pack is empty. You can continue to take a pill each day up until Sunday if you started on Sunday. Throw out the remaining pills on Sunday and begin a brand new package that same day.You can start over if you have missed three pills consecutively in the first, second, or third week. You can continue taking the pill until Sunday if you started on Sunday. Throw out the remaining pills on Sunday and begin a brand new package that same day.You may miss your period if you don't take two pills or more. Call your doctor if you have missed two periods in a month. You might be pregnant.You can throw away the missed pill and continue taking one pill per day until you finish your pack.

What happens if I overdose?

Call the Poison Help Line at 1-800-222-1222 or seek emergency medical care. Overdose symptoms include nausea, vomiting, and vaginal bleeding.

What should be avoided?

Don't smoke when taking birth-control pills, especially if your age is over 35.Birth control pills do not stop the spread of your illness. Share razors and toothbrushes. Do not engage in unprotected sexual activity. Consult your doctor about how to avoid HIV transmission when sexing.

Interaction with other drug

Inform your doctor of all other medications, including:

• Phenylbutazone;
• Griseofulvin;
• Bosentan;
• Rifampin;
• John's wort
• Glecaprevir/pibrentasvir;
• Anticonvulsants are antiepileptics such as carbamazepine (oxcarbazepine), lamotrigine (topiramate), or felbamate.

The list below is not exhaustive. This list is not complete. Other medications, such as vitamins and herbs, may also affect ethinyl estradiol or desogestrel. This list does not include all possible drug interactions.