Healthline Media does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. This risk increases further with a persons age and how much the person smokes. Birth control pills may interact with lamotrigine, an anticonvulsant used for epilepsy. Also, some COCs contain ferrous fumarate (a form of iron) and some dont. Contraception: do hormonal contraceptives cause weight gain? Lo Loestrin Fe Savings Program! Dosage form: oral tablet They can help determine the form or forms of birth control that are right for you. The drug doesnt affect your future fertility (ability to become pregnant). Serious side effects arent likely after you stop taking Lo Loestrin Fe. However, birth control pills taken by accident during pregnancy are not known to cause birth defects. Drugs called CYP3A4 inducers are used to treat a number of conditions, such as migraine and epilepsy. . However, Lo Loestrin Fe may take 7 days to become effective at preventing pregnancy in certain situations. Liver disease. What Are the Side Effects of Birth Control Pills? (norethindrone acetate/ethinyl estradiol, ethinyl estradiol, ferrous fumarate). Estrogen and progestin work in different ways to prevent pregnancy. Lo Loestrin Fe ethinyl estradiol 0.01 mg / norethindrone acetate 1 mg (WC 421). For information about Lo Loestrin Fes effectiveness, see the Lo Loestrin Fe for preventing pregnancy section below. Take the day label strip that starts with the first day of your period. A generic version of Lo Loestrin Fe has not been approved. Gallbladder disease. Last updated on Jul 20, 2022. The most common side effects of Lo Loestrin Fe include: In premarket clinical research, around 4% of women also reported: Compared to other combination birth control pills, the lower estrogen dose appears to minimize some of the common side effects, both in duration and severity. Do not skip tablets or take tablets at intervals exceeding 24 hours unless directed otherwise. If you have any questions or are unsure about the information in this leaflet, call your healthcare provider. When you switch from another birth control pill, start this medication on the first day you would have started your previous birth control pack. Lo Loestrin Fe is actually considered an ultra-low-dose pill, as it only contains 10 mcg of estrogen. Its approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to help prevent pregnancy in certain females of any age who can become pregnant. The following day, take one tablet per day until you finish the pack. (2014). (Breast cancer is an example of a cancer that can be sensitive to hormones.) They also thin the lining of the uterus, which reduces the chances of a fertilized egg implanting and growing. Call your doctor right away if you have serious side effects. After you stop taking Lo Loestrin Fe, your fertility should soon return to what it was before you started taking it. Before you take Lo Loestrin Fe, tell your healthcare provider about all of your medical conditions, including if you have ever had any of the conditions listed above in 'Who should not take Lo Loestrin Fe?". And the drugs in Lo Loestrin Fe can potentially increase blood pressure. Birth control pills have been the leading method for preventing pregnancy in the United States since they were approved by the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) in 1960. Side effects may include headaches, irregular bleeding, and weight changes. Serious side effects and their symptoms can include: * Sex and gender exist on spectrums. They can also recommend a different form of birth control if needed. When you get Lo Loestrin Fe from the pharmacy, the pharmacist will add an expiration date to the label on the packaging. The better you follow the directions, the less chance you have of getting pregnant. Estrogen and progestin are also naturally found in the body. You should expect to still have a period while taking Lo Loestrin Fe. They reduce your risk of endometrial cancer or PID. St. Johns wort is sometimes taken to ease symptoms of depression. Use of the term female in this article refers to sex assigned at birth. Then one pill a day until you finish the pack. The strengths and ingredients in each pack are as follows: The recommended dosage of Lo Loestrin Fe is one tablet per day, taken at the same time every day. Before taking Lo Loestrin Fe, talk with your doctor and pharmacist. Stop taking Lo Loestrin Fe if you are pregnant. To learn more, see the Lo Loestrin Fe and breastfeeding section above. Lo Loestrin Fe can raise the levels of these fats in your blood. It also discusses some of this drug's potential interactions. Food and Drug Administration Lo Loestrin Fe Product Label. Can Weight Affect Birth Control Effectiveness? It can also cause or worsen symptoms of hormonal imbalance: fluid retention, headaches, loss of sexual desire, breast tenderness, PMS, irregular bleeding, depression, and hair loss. Lo Loestrin Fe (norethindrone acetate and ethinyl estradiol tablets, ethinyl estradiol tablets and ferrous fumarate tablets) provides an oral contraceptive regimen consisting of 24 blue active . If youre not sure whether youll need to get prior authorization for Lo Loestrin Fe, contact your insurance company. A savings program is available for Lo Loestrin Fe. Lo Loestrin Fe can cause mild or serious side effects. If youre interested in taking Lo Loestrin Fe for a hormonal imbalance or acne, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. Can diet help improve depression symptoms? You could become pregnant if you have sex on the days when you missed pills or during the first 7 days after restarting your pills. If you're looking to purchase birth control online, the Optum Store is one place you can do it. This can include setting an alarm or a timer on your phone or downloading a reminder app. Be sure to use a hormone-free backup birth control method (such as condoms) for at least the next 7 days. If you have had or have gallbladder disease, talk with your doctor. If you have trouble remembering to take this medication, talk to your healthcare provider about how to make pill-taking easier or about using another method of birth control. The minipill is often used in this case because it contains only progestin. You can also read these tips for swallowing pills. Drug classes: Contraceptives, Sex hormone combinations. People can take the pill or have shots to prevent pregnancy, but which type of birth control is better? For details about allergic reaction and Lo Loestrin Fe, see Allergic reaction below. Lo Loestrin Fe works primarily by suppressing ovulation, which is when an egg is release from one of your ovaries each month. It helps to prevent pregnancy. Sex and gender exist on spectrums. Other drugs and devices are available that can help prevent pregnancy. The hormones in the pill work by . For details, see the Lo Loestrin Fe dosage section above. Lo Loestrin Fe shouldnt cause long-term side effects. Women who use birth control pills may have a slightly higher chance of getting cervical cancer. When you switch from a vaginal ring or skin patch, finish the 21 days of use, and wait 7 days after removal of the ring or patch before starting this medication. All rights reserved. 2016;21(2):106-15. doi:10.3109/13625187.2015.1107894. vaginal dryness. Approximately half of the women who use this medication have unscheduled bleeding or spotting in the first months of use, and about one-third of users continue to have unscheduled bleeding or spotting after one year of use. If recommended by your doctor, you may be able to receive a 3-month supply of Lo Loestrin Fe, so theres less concern about running out of the medication. What Are Combination Birth Control Pills? Symptoms of a severe allergic reaction can include: Call your doctor right away if you have an allergic reaction to Lo Loestrin Fe, as the reaction could become severe. However, you should not take more than the recommended dose. These are rarely used today, as lower doses are available. Lo Loestrin was found to cause more acne breakouts. Smoking while taking hormonal birth control, including Lo Loestrin Fe, increases the risk of serious cardiovascular events. Progestin thins the uterine lining as well. MNT is the registered trade mark of Healthline Media. These include Depo-Provera (a shot), Skyla, Lylema, Implanon, and Nexplanon (a subdermal implant). . The actual price youll pay depends on your insurance plan, your location, and the pharmacy you use. You may not have a period this month. Ethinyl estradiol is a synthetic form of the hormone estrogen. The drug interaction involves the following HIV medications: Certain hepatitis C combination therapies. * To learn more about missed doses, see the Lo Loestrin Fe dosage section below. How to Take Lo Loestrin Fe . Note: For more information about the potential negative effects of Lo Loestrin Fe, see the Lo Loestrin Fe side effects section above. In Lo Loestrin Fes clinical trials, common side effects included changes in weight. Pills, IUD, and More, Debra Rose Wilson, Ph.D., MSN, R.N., IBCLC, AHN-BC, CHT. 2. However, some women miss periods or have light periods on birth control pills, even when they are not pregnant. A pack of Lo Loestrin Fe contains 28 pills. However, if your symptoms are severe, call 911 or your local emergency number, or go to the nearest emergency room right away. Take one tablet by mouth at the same time every day for 28 days. anxiety or depression. If it does happen, it may be due to fluid retention or an increase in appetite. No serious side effects have been reported in association with an overdose of Lo Loestrin Fe. Some Medicare plans may help cover the cost of mail-order medications. Use of the term female in this article refers to sex assigned at birth. Generic name: ethinyl estradiol and norethindrone acetate Also, certain factors can decrease its effectiveness. This includes starting the pack late. Birth control pill brands: What options are there? You may also have an increased risk of side effects from Lo Loestrin Fe, such as irregular vaginal bleeding. Most birth control pills today are considered low-dose. This ingredient has no effect on Lo Loestrin Fe effectiveness. Learn about available birth control options, including Lo Loestrin Fe (norethindrone acetate & ethinyl estradiol tablets, ethinyl estradiol tablets & ferrous fumarate tablets). Your risk increases due to age and the number of cigarettes you smoke each day. This helps prevent others, including children and pets, from taking the drug by accident. When you have your period, you lose iron through menstrual blood. It is not uncommon to miss your period. Use of the term female in this article refers to sex assigned at birth. To learn about the drugs interactions, see the Lo Loestrin Fe interactions section below. The pills should be taken in the order indicated on the pack. These conditions include: Lo Loestrin Feis a low-dose hormonal contraceptive. Your healthcare provider can help you decide if a low-estrogen birth control is the right choice for you. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088. Available for Android and iOS devices. Discuss your birth control options with your healthcare provider if this applies to you. Take tablets in the order directed on the blister pack. It alerts doctors and patients about drug effects that may be dangerous. Mild symptoms of an overdose can include: If you think youve taken too much of this drug, call your doctor. High cholesterol or high triglycerides. Learn More: What You Should Know About Progestin-Only Pills 12 Sources Less common side effects of Lo Loestrin Fe are: This is not a complete list of possible side effects. Birth control pills that contain estrogen, like Lo Loestrin Fe, may decrease the amount of milk you make. People with certain conditions should not use Lo Loestrin Fe. You can also talk with your doctor or pharmacist. Specifically, its a type of birth control called a combination oral contraceptive. 2002;65(10):2073-2081 A patient information handout on birth control pills and bleeding, written by the author of this article, is provided on page 2083. This may increase the risk of seizures, so your healthcare provider may need to adjust the dose of lamotrigine. If an egg is not present, fertilization and pregnancy wont occur. This is because females with this BMI werent included in Lo Loestrin Fes clinical trials. Lo Loestrin Fe may not be right for people with certain conditions such as liver disease or breast cancer. Sex and gender exist on spectrums. Symptoms of a mild allergic reaction can include: A more severe allergic reaction is rare but possible. thinning skin. 2005-2023 Healthline Media a Red Ventures Company. Our website services, content, and products are for informational purposes only. It also has somebenefits beyond preventing pregnancy, including: The effectiveness of Lo Loestrin Fe has not been well studied in those with a body mass index (BMI) greater than 35. Lo Loestrin Fe at least 4 weeks before through 2 weeks after major surgery. Lo Loestrin Fe is distributed by Allergan USA, Inc. Madison, NJ 07940, Loestrin 21 1/20, Junel Fe 1/20, Blisovi Fe 1/20, Junel Fe 1.5/30, +34 more. Combination birth control pills contain estrogen and progestin. Talk with your doctor about your health history and your birth control goals. Examples include missed doses or certain drug interactions.*. Healthline has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical associations. Several other contraceptive options exacerbate or trigger acne in some women as they are higher in progestin (i.e., they increase testosterone-like activity) and low in estrogen. (For details about what to do in case of missed doses, see the Lo Loestrin Fe dosage section below.). Birth control pills that arent low dose may contain up to 50 or so mcg of estrogen. If you start taking Lo Loestrin Fe on the first day of your menstrual cycle,* the drug starts working the first month of use. Eur J Contracept Reprod Health Care. We comply with the HONcode standard for trustworthy health information. The pill pack also has 2 "reminder" brown pills (without hormones) for the last part of Week 4. A boxed warning alerts doctors and patients about drug effects that may be dangerous. Savings Program Update There are many types of birth control, and safety and reliability are two key factors when choosing the best option. Theyre responsible for regulating the menstrual cycle and phases of pregnancy. It helps to prevent pregnancy. 2,,,. Other herbs or supplements could interact with this drug. The minipills can also shorten the length of your period. Drugs.com provides accurate and independent information on more than 24,000 prescription drugs, over-the-counter medicines and natural products. You can take Lo Loestrin Fe with food or without it. It is important to take it at the same time every day. Start a new pack on the same day you usually start a new pack. This can include setting an alarm or using a timer. Take the two missed tablets as soon as you can. (BMI is a measure of a persons body size based on weight and height.) Any menstrual cramping you have may be less severe. Lo Loestrin Fe contains an estrogen called ethinyl estradiol and a progestin called norethindrone acetate. Subedee A. COCs contain the hormones estrogen and progestin as active ingredients. It contains only 10 micrograms (mcg) ofestrogen. When you take Lo Loestrin Fe you may have bleeding and spotting between periods, called unscheduled bleeding. The drug comes in a blister pack of 28 oral tablets. Loestrin Fe 1/20 is a combination hormone medication that is comprised of norethindrone, a type of progestin, and ethinyl estradiol, a type of estrogen. Birth control pills contain either a combination of synthetic estrogen and synthetic progesterone or synthetic progesterone alone. Birth control pills, including Lo Loestrin Fe, are used to regulate the amount of certain hormones. What to Know About Birth Control and Diabetes, Extended regimen combined oral contraception: A review of evolving concepts and acceptance by women and clinicians, Noncontraceptive benefits of birth control pills, Highlights of prescribing information: Lo Loestrin Fe norethindrone acetate and ethinyl estradiol, ethinyl estradiol and ferrous fumarate.