What is Junel Fe 1/20 (birth control)?
Junel Fe is a combination pill with female hormones to prevent ovulation. The medication can also cause changes to your uterine and cervical mucus, which makes it more difficult for fertilised eggs to adhere to the uterus.
Contraception is the use of Junel Fe 1/20 to avoid pregnancy. Women who have reached the age of 15 and started menstruating can also use Junel Fe to treat mild acne. There are several brands available for ethinyl estradiol and norethindrone. This leaflet does not list all available brands. This medication guide does not list all possible uses for Junel Fe 1/20.
Side effects of Junel Fe 1/20 (birth control)
Whenever experiencing symptoms of an allergy reaction, seek medical assistance immediately: difficulty breathing, hives or swelling in your lips, face, throat or tongue.
The side effects of this medicine can be serious. If you experience:
- Signs of a Stroke: sudden numbness, weakness, or severe headache; slurred or distorted speech.
- Signs of a blood clot in the lungs include chest pain, sudden coughing and shortness of breath; dizziness.
- Signs of a deep blood clot—pain or swelling in one leg
- Heart attack symptoms: chest discomfort, pressure in your shoulder or jaw area, nausea and sweating.
- Liver problems: swelling around the midsection of your body; upper right stomach pain; lack of appetite; dark coloured urine; clay-coloured stool; jaundice (yellowing skin or eyes);
- Increased blood pressure: severe headaches, blurred or distorted vision, and a pounding sensation in the neck, ears, or head;
- Depression, feelings of low self-worth, loss of interest in things you once enjoyed, new sleep problems, thoughts of hurting yourself;
- A breast lump or swelling of the hands, feet, or ankles;
- Change in pattern or intensity of migraine headaches
Side effects that may occur from Junel Fe 1/20 include:
- Nausea, vomiting;
- Breast tenderness or bleeding.
- Headache or contact lens problems
There may be other side effects. For medical advice on side effects, call your doctor. Report side effects by calling the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Similar/related drugs
Norethindrone, Levonorgestrel, Medroxyprogesterone, Depo-Provera, Provera, and Nexplanon
Warnings
Avoid using birth control pills when you're pregnant or have just had a child.
Birth control pills should be avoided if: you are suffering from uncontrolled hypertension, heart problems, circulatory issues (especially in diabetes), liver diseases or liver cancers, migraine headaches that last for days, you're planning major surgery, you smoke, you've had a blood clot or jaundice due to pregnancy, birth control pills, or cancers of the uterus, vagina, breast, or cervix.
Smoking or using birth control pills, particularly if you're older than 35 years, can increase the risk of blood clots or strokes.
Before you take this drug
Birth control pills may increase the risk of stroke or heart attack. If you suffer from high blood pressure, diabetes, excessive cholesterol, or obesity, you're at an even greater risk. The risk of stroke and blood clots is greatest during the first year you take birth control pills. Resuming birth control pills after an absence of four weeks puts you at an increased risk.
If you're older than 35, smoking can raise your chances of blood clots or strokes caused by birth-control pills. Avoid using it if pregnant. Tell your doctor immediately if you are pregnant or miss two menstrual cycles in a row. 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 or heart disease
- 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 cervix, uterus, breast, or vagina
- 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 pills have a history of jaundice inducing symptoms.
- If you are older than 35 and smoke,
- When taking any hepatitis C medication containing ombitasvir, paritaprevir or ritonavir with or without dasabuvir.
If you've ever:
- If you have heart disease, blood clots, or high blood pressure,
- If you have high triglycerides or cholesterol or are overweight,
- Depression;
- A seizure or migraine headache;
- Thyroid hyperactivity and gallbladder diseases.
- Liver or kidney disease
- Uneven menstrual cycle, fibrocystic breast disease, or lumps or nodules on a mammogram
A doctor can let you know whether breastfeeding is possible while taking certain medication.
How to take Junel Fe 1/20 (birth control)?
Read and follow all instructions or guides included with your medication. Follow the directions on your prescription label. When you start taking this drug, it is possible that you will need to use a backup birth control method, like condoms containing spermicide. You should follow your doctor's advice. One pill per day is recommended, but no more than one every 24 hours. As soon as your old pills run out, take one daily pill in order to stay pregnant. Skipping it may lead to miscarriage.
Several birth control packages contain a "reminder pill" to help you maintain your normal cycle. Your period will typically begin after taking these pills. If you have severe nausea or diarrhoea, use backup birth control. It is possible that you are bleeding through the skin. If the pain persists or increases significantly, see your physician immediately.
You may have to temporarily stop taking this medication if you are going to be undergoing major surgery or confined for long periods of time. You should let any doctor who treats you know you're taking Junel Fe 1/20. If you are taking birth-control pills, it is necessary to visit the doctor frequently. Keep away from heat and moisture at room temperature.
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 1 pill a day until the remainder of the package. Take two pills a day for 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 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 do not take two active pills or more. Call your doctor if you have missed a period in two consecutive months. You might be pregnant. You can throw away the missed pill and continue taking one reminder per day until you run out of pills.
What happens if I overdose?
Call the Poison Help Line at 1-800-222-1222 or seek emergency medical care. An overdose can cause 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
Inform your doctor of all other medications, including:
- Rifampin;
- Troglitazone;
- Atorvastatin;
- Glecaprevir/pibrentasvir;
- Anticonvulsants such as carbamazepine, phenytoin, and phenobarbital
The list below is not exhaustive. This includes vitamin and herb products. This list does not include all possible drug interactions.
