What is Ethinyl Estradiol and Levonorgestrel?
Ethinyl estradiol and Levonorgestrel extended-cycle are combination drugs that contain female hormones that prevent ovulation. Levonorgestrel and ethinyl are also known to cause changes to your cervical mucus, uterine lining, and hormones.Contraception is the use of extended-cycle ethinyl estradiol (LEV) and levonorgestrel to avoid pregnancy.This medication guide does not list all possible uses for ethinyl estradiol or levonorgestrel.
Side effects of Ethinyl Estradiol and Levonorgestrel
If you experience any of the following symptoms of an allergy: 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 a severe headache; slurred words; problems with balance.
- Signs of blood clots: sudden vision loss, chest pain, shortness of breath, blood in the cough, swelling of an arm or leg
- Symptoms of a heart attack: chest pressure or pain, spreading pain to the jaw or shoulder; nausea and sweating.
- If you have liver disease, look for symptoms such as fatigue, nausea, dark-colored urine or stools, and fever.
- Increased blood pressure: severe headaches, blurred or distorted vision, and pounding of the neck, ears, or head;
- You may experience swelling of your ankles or feet, hands, or even both.
- Changes in migraine headache symptoms or patterns;
- A breast lump, or
- Symptoms of depression include sleep problems, fatigue, feeling weak, and changes in mood.
Some of the common side effects associated with ethinyl estradiol or levonorgestrel include:
- Mild nausea, especially when taking the medicine for the first time; vomiting; and stomach cramps.
- Breast tenderness, swelling, or discharge.
- Increased hair growth or loss of hair on the scalp;
- Changes in appetite or weight
- Contact lenses: problems with them
- Vaginal itching, or discharge
- Changes in menstrual cycles, reduced sexual drive
There may be other side effects. For medical advice on side effects, call your doctor.Report adverse reactions by calling the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Similar/related drugs
Norethindrone, Levonorgestrel, Medroxyprogesterone, Depo-Provera, Provera, Nexplanon, and Plan B One-Step
Warnings
Avoid using birth control pills while pregnant or after having a recent baby.Birth control pills should be avoided if: you are suffering from uncontrolled hypertension, heart problems, circulatory issues (especially in diabetes), liver diseases or cancers of the liver, migraine headaches that last for days, if your surgery is going to take place soon, if you are smoking and you're over 35 years old, if a previous heart attack or stroke has occurred, if there was a blood clot or jaundice due to pregnancy, birth control pills or cancers of the breasts, uterus, or cerviPill birth control can raise your chances of a stroke or heart attack.If you are older than 35 and smoke, it is not recommended that you take levonorgestrel or ethinyl estradiol.
Before you take this drug
This medicine increases your risk of blood clots and stroke. If you suffer from high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol, or are overweight, you're at even greater risk. The risk of stroke and blood clots is greatest during the first year you take birth control pills. You are at high risk if you start taking this medication again after a break of 4 weeks.The older you get, the greater your risk. Your risk also increases with the amount of smoking you do. If you are older than 35 and smoke, it is not recommended that you take birth control pills.Avoid using it 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 to take birth control pills.
If you are pregnant, or if:
- Untreated high blood pressure or hypertension
- Heart disease (chest discomfort, coronary artery diseases, history of stroke, or blood clots);
- An increased risk for blood clots as a result of a blood disorder or heart disease;
- Circulatory problems, especially if they are caused by diabetes
- A history of cancers of the breast, uterus, or cervix, or of vaginal or ovarian origin;
- Unusual vaginal bleeding not checked by your doctor
- Liver disease, or cancer of the liver;
- Severe migraine headaches, especially in older people over 35.
- Pregnancy or birth-control pill usage have been known to lead to jaundice.
- If you take any hepatitis C medication containing ombitasvir, paritaprevir, or ritonavir (Technivie).
If you've ever:
- If you have heart disease, blood pressure problems, or are susceptible to blood clots, then this is the right product for you.
- If you have high cholesterol, triglycerides, or are overweight,
- Depression;
- Gallbladder disease, diabetes
- A seizure or migraine headache;
- Menstrual irregularities;
- Fibrocystic Breast Disease lumps, nodules, or abnormal mammograms
Levonorgestrel and ethinyl estradiol may slow down breast milk production. This medicine should not be used while breastfeeding.
How to take Ethinyl Estradiol and Levonorgestrel?
Read all the instructions or guides that come with your medication and follow all the directions. Follow the directions on your prescription label.First, take your pill the day after you start your period. When you start taking ethinyl estradiol or levonorgestrel, it may be necessary to take a backup birth control such as a condom or spermicide. 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.While taking the extended-cycle pill, you will not experience a monthly period. Your period will occur once every 12 weeks.Three trays of cards hold 84 pills "actives" and seven pills "reminders" in the 91-day pack. To maintain a regular period, you must take the pills according to a specific order. Each tray holds 28 pills. Tray 3 contains 35 pills, including 7 reminder pills. Use these reminders to start your period.
You might experience bleeding during your first three months. If this bleeding is heavy or continues, tell your doctor.If you have severe nausea or diarrhea, use backup birth control.You may have to temporarily stop taking this medication if you are going through major surgery or if you will need long-term rest. You should let any doctor who treats you know that you use birth control pills.You will have to see your doctor frequently if you are taking birth-control pills.Keep this medicine at room temperature, away from heat and moisture.
Details on dosage
Adult dose for contraception:
Oral Tablets: Take 1 tablet once daily at the same hour each day, in the exact order indicated on the blister package.
Transdermal System
Cycle of four weeks: Wear one patch every week for three consecutive weeks. There was no patch during the fourth week.
Comments:
To achieve maximum contraceptive effectiveness, the tablets should not be taken more than 24 hours apart.
Tablets can be taken on Sunday, the day after menstruation begins (Sunday start), or the first day of menstruation.
The first transdermal product should be used within the first 24 hours after menstruation.
Prevent pregnancy with this product.
Transdermal application is only recommended for women who have a body mass index (BMI) less than or equal to 30 kg/m2. Women with BMIs greater than 30 kg/m2 may experience reduced efficacy and be more susceptible to venous embolism.
The usual pediatric dose for contraception is:
For postmenarcheal females:
Oral Tablets: Take 1 tablet once daily at the same hour each day, in the exact order indicated on the blister package.
Transdermal System
Cycle of four weeks: Wear one patch every week for three consecutive weeks. There was no patch during the fourth week.
Comments:
To achieve maximum contraceptive effectiveness, the tablets should not be taken more than 24 hours apart.
Tablets can be taken on Sunday, the day after menstruation begins (Sunday start), or the first day of menstruation.
The first transdermal product should be used within the first 24 hours after menstruation.
Prevent pregnancy with this product.
Transdermal application is only recommended for women who have a body mass index (BMI) less than or equal to 30 kg/m2. Women with BMIs greater than 30kg/m2 may experience reduced efficacy, and be more susceptible to venous thromboembolism.
What happens if I miss the dose?
Please read the instructions 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 for the next two days if you have missed two tablets in a line. 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.Do not take any active pills if you have missed three pills consecutively. Keep taking one pill daily, according to your package. Leave the missing pills inside the packaging. If you have missed three pills, there may be some bleeding. You should use a backup birth control method for the next seven days.You can throw away the missed pill and continue to take one pill per day until you run out of pills. If you forget to take a pill, there is no need for backup birth control. Call your doctor if your period doesn't start when you take the pill reminders. You could be pregnant.
What happens if I overdose?
Call the Poison Help Line at 1-800-222-1222 or seek emergency medical care. Overdose symptoms can include vomiting or bleeding.
What should be avoided?
Don't smoke when taking birth-control pills, particularly if you are more than 35 years old.The birth control pill will not shield you against sexually transmissible diseases, including HIV and AIDS. The only way to prevent these diseases is by using a condom.
Interaction with other drug
Other medications, such as prescription drugs, over-the-counter products, herbal products, and vitamins, may also interact with birth-control pills. Birth control pills can be less effective if you take certain drugs. This may lead to pregnancy. Inform your doctor of all the medications you are taking and those that you stop or start using.
