What is Ethinyl Estradiol Norethindrone?
Ethinyl Estradiol And Norethindrone
Ethinyl estradiol and norethindrone contains a combination of 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.
Ethinyl estradiol and norethindrone are used as contraception to prevent pregnancy. It is also used to treat severe acne.
Ethinyl estradiol and norethindrone may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.
Ethinyl Estradiol And Norethindrone (Hrt)
Ethinyl estradiol is a form of estrogen. Estrogen is a female sex hormone necessary for many processes in the body.
Norethindrone is a form of progesterone. Progesterone is a female hormone important for the regulation of ovulation and menstruation.
The combination of ethinyl estradiol and norethindrone is used to treat symptoms of menopause such as hot flashes, and vaginal dryness, burning, and irritation. It is also used to prevent osteoporosis.
Estradiol and norethindrone may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.
What is the most important information I should know about Ethinyl Estradiol Norethindrone?
Ethinyl Estradiol And Norethindrone
Do not use birth control pills if you are pregnant or if you have recently had a baby.
Do not use this medication if you have any of the following conditions: a history of stroke or blood clot, circulation problems, a hormone-related cancer such as breast or uterine cancer, abnormal vaginal bleeding, liver disease or liver cancer, or a history of jaundice caused by birth control pills.
You may need to use back-up birth control, such as condoms or a spermicide, when you first start using this medication. Follow your doctor’s instructions.
Taking hormones can increase your risk of blood clots, stroke, or heart attack, especially if you smoke and are older than 35.
Some drugs can make birth control pills less effective, which may result in pregnancy. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use, including vitamins, minerals and herbal products. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor.
Ethinyl Estradiol And Norethindrone (Hrt)
This medication can cause birth defects. Do not use if you are pregnant. Tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant, or if you miss two menstrual periods in a row.
Do not use this medication if you have any of the following conditions: a history of stroke or blood clot, circulation problems, a hormone-related cancer such as breast or uterine cancer, abnormal vaginal bleeding, if you have recently had a stroke or heart attack, if you have had your uterus removed (hysterectomy), or if you have ever had an allergic reaction to birth control pills or other hormones.
Before taking ethinyl estradiol and norethindrone, tell your doctor if you have high blood pressure or heart disease, high cholesterol, gallbladder disease, diabetes, asthma, seizures, liver disease, a thyroid disorder, high levels of calcium in your blood, migraine headaches or a history of depression, fibroid tumors in your uterus, or a history of breast cancer or an abnormal mammogram.
Avoid smoking while using this medication. Smoking can increase your risk of blood clots, stroke, or heart attack caused by taking hormones.
Have regular physical exams and self-examine your breasts for lumps on a monthly basis while using ethinyl estradiol and norethindrone.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking Ethinyl Estradiol Norethindrone?
Ethinyl Estradiol And Norethindrone
This medication can cause birth defects. Do not use if you are pregnant. Tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant, or if you miss two menstrual periods in a row. If you have recently had a baby, wait at least 4 weeks before taking birth control pills (6 weeks if you are breast-feeding).
Do not use this medication if you have:
- a history of a stroke, blood clot, or circulation problems
- a hormone-related cancer such as breast or uterine cancer
- abnormal vaginal bleeding
- liver disease, liver cancer, or a history of jaundice caused by birth control pills
Before using this medication, tell your doctor if you have any of the following conditions.
- high blood pressure or a history of heart disease
- high cholesterol, gallbladder disease, or diabetes
- migraine headaches or a history of depression; or
- a history of breast cancer or an abnormal mammogram
The hormones in birth control pills can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. This medication may also slow breast milk production. Do not use if you are breast-feeding a baby.
Ethinyl Estradiol And Norethindrone (Hrt)
This medication can cause birth defects. Do not use if you are pregnant. Tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant, or if you miss two menstrual periods in a row.
Do not use this medication if you have:
- abnormal vaginal bleeding that a doctor has not checked
- a hormone-related cancer such as breast or uterine cancer
- a history of blood clot or circulation problems
- if you have recently had a stroke or heart attack
- if you have had your uterus removed (hysterectomy); or
- if you have ever had an allergic reaction to birth control pills or other hormones
Before using this medication, tell your doctor if you have any of the following conditions.
- high blood pressure or heart disease
- high cholesterol, gallbladder disease, or diabetes
- asthma
- epilepsy or other seizure disorder
- liver disease
- a thyroid disorder
- high levels of calcium in your blood
- migraine headaches or a history of depression
- fibroid tumors in your uterus; or
- a history of breast cancer or an abnormal mammogram
If you have any of these conditions, you may need a dose adjustment or special tests to safely use this medication.
The hormones in this medication can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. This medication may also slow breast milk production. Do not use if you are breast-feeding a baby.
Ethinyl Estradiol Norethindrone Side Effects
What are the possible side effects of Ethinyl Estradiol Norethindrone?
Ethinyl Estradiol And Norethindrone
Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Stop using this medication and call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:
- sudden numbness or weakness, especially on one side of the body
- sudden headache, confusion, pain behind the eyes, problems with vision, speech, or balance
- chest pain or heavy feeling, pain spreading to the arm or shoulder, nausea, sweating, general ill feeling; or
- nausea, stomach pain, low fever, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes)
Less serious side effects may include:
- mild nausea, vomiting, bloating, stomach cramps
- breast pain, tenderness, or swelling
- freckles or darkening of facial skin
- increased hair growth, loss of scalp hair
- changes in weight or appetite
- problems with contact lenses
- vaginal itching or discharge
- changes in your menstrual periods, decreased sex drive; or
- headache, nervousness, dizziness
Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Ethinyl Estradiol And Norethindrone (Hrt)
Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Stop using this medication and call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:
- sudden numbness or weakness, especially on one side of the body
- sudden headache, confusion, pain behind the eyes, problems with vision, speech, or balance
- chest pain or heavy feeling, pain spreading to the arm or shoulder, nausea, sweating, general ill feeling; or
- gallbladder problems (pain in your upper right stomach area with nausea and vomiting)
- jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes); or
- a breast lump
Less serious side effects may include:
- mild nausea, vomiting, stomach pain
- breast tenderness or swelling
- freckles or darkening of facial skin
- increased hair growth, loss of scalp hair
- changes in weight or appetite
- problems with contact lenses
- runny nose
- vaginal itching or discharge
- changes in your menstrual periods, decreased sex drive; or
- headache, dizziness, sleep problems
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Tell your doctor about any unusual or bothersome side effect. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Ethinyl Estradiol Norethindrone Interactions
What other drugs affect Ethinyl Estradiol Norethindrone?
Ethinyl Estradiol And Norethindrone
Some drugs can make ethinyl estradiol and norethindrone less effective, which may result in pregnancy. Before using ethinyl estradiol and norethindrone, tell your doctor if you are using any of the following drugs:
- acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ascorbic acid (vitamin C)
- prednisolone (Orapred)
- theophylline (Respbid, Theo-Dur)
- St. John’s wort
- an antibiotic
- seizure medication
- a barbiturate sedative such as secobarbital (Seconal), or phenobarbital (Luminal, Solfoton); or
- HIV or AIDS medications
There may be other drugs not listed that can affect this medication. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor.
Ethinyl Estradiol And Norethindrone (Hrt)
Before taking ethinyl estradiol and norethindrone, tell your doctor if you are taking any of the following medicines:
- acetaminophen (Tylenol)
- cyclosporine (Neoral, Gengraf, Sandimmune)
- prednisolone (Orapred)
- theophylline (Respbid, Theo-Dur)
- St. John’s wort
- an antibiotic such as clarithromycin (Biaxin), erythromycin (E.E.S., E-Mycin, Ery-Tab, Erythrocin), itraconazole (Sporanox), or ketoconazole (Nizoral)
- seizure medication such as carbamazepine (Carbatrol, Tegretol) or phenobarbital (Solfoton)
- rifampin (Rifadin, Rifamate, Rimactane); or
- HIV or AIDS medication such as ritonavir (Norvir, Kaletra)
This list is not complete and there may be other drugs that can interact with ethinyl estradiol and norethindrone. Tell your doctor about all your prescription and over-the-counter medications, vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start a new medication without telling your doctor.
What should I avoid while taking Ethinyl Estradiol Norethindrone?
Ethinyl Estradiol And Norethindrone
Do not smoke while using birth control pills, especially if you are older than 35. Smoking can increase your risk of blood clots, stroke, or heart attack caused by birth control pills.
Birth control pills will not protect you from sexually transmitted diseases–including HIV and AIDS. Using a condom is the only way to protect yourself from these diseases.
Ethinyl Estradiol And Norethindrone (Hrt)
Follow your doctor’s instructions about any restrictions on food, beverages, or activity while you are using this medication.
Avoid smoking while using this medication. Smoking can increase your risk of blood clots, stroke, or heart attack caused by taking hormones.
Ethinyl Estradiol Norethindrone Dosage
How should I take Ethinyl Estradiol Norethindrone?
Ethinyl Estradiol And Norethindrone
Take this medication exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not take larger amounts, or take it for longer than recommended by your doctor. You will take your first pill on the first day of your period or on the first Sunday after your period begins (follow your doctor’s instructions).
You may need to use back-up birth control, such as condoms or a spermicide, when you first start using this medication. Follow your doctor’s instructions.
The 28-day birth control pack contains seven “reminder” pills to keep you on your regular cycle. Your period will usually begin while you are using these reminder pills.
You may have breakthrough bleeding, especially during the first 3 months. Tell your doctor if this bleeding continues or is very heavy.
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 use this medication regularly. Get your prescription refilled before you run out of pills completely.
The chewable tablet may be chewed or swallowed whole. If chewed, drink a full glass of water just after you swallow the pill.
If you need to have any type of medical tests or surgery, or if you will be on bed rest, you may need to stop using this medication for a short time. Any doctor or surgeon who treats you should know that you are using birth control pills.
Your doctor will need to see you on a regular basis while you are using this medication. Do not miss any appointments.
Store this medication at room temperature away from moisture and heat.
Ethinyl Estradiol And Norethindrone (Hrt)
Use this medication exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not use the medication in larger amounts, or use it for longer than recommended by your doctor. Follow the instructions on your prescription label.
Try to take your medicine at the same time each day.
If you need to have any type of medical tests or surgery, or if you will be on bed rest, you may need to stop using this medication for a short time. Any doctor or surgeon who treats you should know that you are using hormones.
It is important to use ethinyl estradiol and norethindrone regularly to get the most benefit. Get your prescription refilled before you run out of medicine completely.
Have regular physical exams and self-examine your breasts for lumps on a monthly basis while using ethinyl estradiol and norethindrone.
Store this medication at room temperature away from moisture and heat.
What happens if I overdose on Ethinyl Estradiol Norethindrone?
Ethinyl Estradiol And Norethindrone
Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this medicine. Overdose symptoms may include nausea, vomiting, and vaginal bleeding.
Ethinyl Estradiol And Norethindrone (Hrt)
An overdose of ethinyl estradiol and norethindrone is unlikely to threaten life. Call an emergency room or poison control center for advice.
Symptoms of a ethinyl estradiol and norethindrone overdose might include nausea, vomiting, and vaginal bleeding.
What happens if I miss a dose of Ethinyl Estradiol Norethindrone?
Ethinyl Estradiol And Norethindrone
Missing a pill increases your risk of becoming pregnant.
If you miss one “active” pill, take two pills on the day that you remember. Then take one pill per day for the rest of the pack.
If you miss two “active” pills in a row in week one or two, take two pills per day for two days in a row. Then take one pill per day for the rest of the pack. Use back-up birth control for at least 7 days following the missed pills.
If you miss two “active” pills in a row in week three, or if you miss three pills in a row during any of the first 3 weeks, throw out the rest of the pack and start a new one the same day if you are a Day 1 starter. If you are a Sunday starter, keep taking a pill every day until Sunday. On Sunday, throw out the rest of the pack and start a new one that day.
If you miss three “active” pills in a row during any of the first 3 weeks, throw out the rest of the pack and start a new pack on the same day if you are a Day 1 starter. If you are a Sunday starter, keep taking a pill every day until Sunday. On Sunday, throw out the rest of the pack and start a new one that day.
If you miss two or more pills, you may not have a period during the month. If you miss a period for two months in a row, call your doctor because you might be pregnant.
If you miss any reminder pills, throw them away and keep taking one pill per day until the pack is empty. You do not need back-up birth control if you miss a reminder pill.
Ethinyl Estradiol And Norethindrone (Hrt)
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for the next dose, skip the dose you missed and take only the next regularly scheduled dose. Do not take a double dose of this medication.
Sourced from everydayhealth.com