Norgestrel+Ethinylestradiol

When should one not use Norgestrel+Ethinylestradiol

• If you are allergic to ethinylestradiol, norgestrel or any other ingredients of Norgestrel+Ethinylestradiol.
• If you are a smoker and over 35 years of age there is a risk of getting heart-related disorders.
• If you have a history of any blood clot formation or bleeding disorder.
• If you have heart-related disorders such as stroke, heart attack or angina.
• If you have had migraine attacks and pancreas or liver or gallbladder-related problems.
• If you have diabetes, high blood pressure or cholesterol-related disorder.
• If you experience abnormal vaginal bleeding or delayed menses for more than three months (amenorrhea).
• If you have or are suspected of having breast, vaginal, or cervical cancer.
• If you have a psychiatric disorder and you feel low very often.
• If you are taking anti-viral medicine for Hepatitis C and taking medicines such as Ombitasvir or Paritaprevir.

Common side effects of this drug are:

• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Headache
• Stomach pain, cramps
• Diarrhoea
• Weight changes
• Acne
• Mood swings
• Fatigue

Other General Warnings

• You have a family history of breast cancer, seizures or other brain disorders.
• You have high blood pressure, diabetes, lipid or cholesterol-related disorder.
• Your liver or gall bladder is not functioning properly.
• You have inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis).
• You have a blood-related disorder that has affected your kidneys(hemolytic uremic syndrome).
• You have an immune-related disorder, such as systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).
• You have experienced pregnancy patches, especially on the face (chloasma).
• You have a disease that first appeared during pregnancy like porphyria (an inherited haemoglobin defect), hearing loss, gestational herpes (vesicular skin rashes during pregnancy) and Sydenham's chorea (rapid, irregular movements of the body).
• You have a family history or you have experienced allergic reactions causing rashes, breathing difficulty and swelling.
• You are a woman above 35 years of age and smoke.
• Oral contraceptives may alter the results of certain lab tests, inform the lab personnel before performing any test.

How Does It Work?

Interactions with other medicines

• Norgestrel+Ethinylestradiol may interact with other medicines, discuss with your doctor about all the medicines, supplements, or herbal preparations you are taking. Also, you should inform your doctor if you have a planned surgery or vaccination schedule.
• Concomitant use of Norgestrel+Ethinylestradiol with anti-epileptics such as Phenytoin, Carbamazepine, Anti-HIV medicines such as Nevirapine, Ritonavir, antibiotics such as Penicillin, Griseofulvin, antiemetics such as Metoclopramide and herbal supplements like St.John's Wort may alter the effects of Norgestrel+Ethinylestradiol.
• Anti-seizure medications like Lamotrigine and immunosuppressants like Cyclosporine should be avoided while on Norgestrel+Ethinylestradiol.
• Norgestrel+Ethinylestradiol, if taken along with antiviral medicines, may affect your liver enzymes. Thus, this medicine should be stopped and can be resumed 2 weeks after completing the treatment.
• Other medicines like Rifampicin and Carbamazepine should be used cautiously.

Interactions with food items

Overdose

Missed a Dose