Ethinyloestradiol+levonorgestrel
About Ethinyloestradiol+levonorgestrel
Ethinyloestradiol+levonorgestrel is a combined oral contraceptive tablet used primarily to prevent pregnancy. It is also prescribed to regulate menstrual cycles, make periods lighter and less painful, and manage moderate acne. This medication helps women maintain reproductive control and manage physical symptoms related to hormonal cycles.
To ensure maximum protection, you must take Ethinyloestradiol+levonorgestrel consistently once a day, at the same time every day, without skipping doses. You can take this tablet with or without food, though taking it with food or at bedtime may help reduce mild nausea. Combining this treatment with a balanced diet and regular physical activity can help manage body weight and improve overall wellness.
While taking Ethinyloestradiol+levonorgestrel, some women may experience mild side effects like nausea, breast tenderness, or light spotting between periods. These symptoms are usually temporary and improve as your body adjusts to the hormones. However, you must seek immediate medical attention if you notice signs of serious complications, such as severe leg pain, sudden shortness of breath, or sharp chest pain.
Do not take this if you are pregnant, have high blood pressure, or have a history of blood clots, stroke, or heart disease. It is also not suitable for women over the age of 35 who smoke, or those with severe liver damage or breast cancer. Talk to your doctor to ensure this medication is safe for your specific health history.
Ethinyloestradiol+levonorgestrel can interact with certain medicines, especially anti-seizure medicines, tuberculosis medicines such as rifampicin or rifabutin, and some herbal products like St. John's Wort, which can reduce the effectiveness of this contraceptive and increase the risk of pregnancy. Most commonly used antibiotics, such as amoxicillin, do not reduce the effectiveness of this medicine. Smoking while taking this medicine significantly increases the risk of blood clots, heart attack, and stroke, particularly in women over 35 years of age. If you are breastfeeding, planning surgery, or starting any new medicine, consult your doctor before taking this medication.
Uses of Ethinyloestradiol+levonorgestrel
• Emergency Contraception: This product's primary purpose is to prevent an unwanted pregnancy during unprotected sexual activity by acting as an emergency contraceptive pill.
• Menstrual Regulation: By offering hormonal assistance to create a more regular cycle, it can help women who suffer from irregular menstrual periods.
• Ovulation Control: For women who may require help delaying ovulation for a variety of reasons, including personal situations or health issues, this medicine can be used to control ovulation.
• Menstrual Postponement: To gain greater control over their menstrual cycle, some people may use the product to postpone their period, especially in anticipation of important occasions or situations.
Medicinal Benefits
- Prevents pregnancy effectively: When taken correctly every day, it is a highly effective method of birth control.
- Regulates menstrual cycles: Helps make periods more regular and predictable.
- Reduces heavy menstrual bleeding: Makes periods lighter, which may help reduce tiredness caused by heavy blood loss.
- Relieves painful periods: Helps reduce menstrual cramps, making daily activities more comfortable.
- May improve acne: In some women, it helps reduce hormone-related acne by regulating hormone levels.
- Provides peace of mind: Offers reliable contraception, helping women plan their pregnancies with greater confidence.
Directions for Use
- Ethinyloestradiol+levonorgestrel can be taken with or without food, as advised by your doctor.
- Follow your doctor's instructions on the dosage and timing of this medication. Generally, Ethinyloestradiol+levonorgestrel should be taken within 24 hours of starting your period, followed by one pill daily at the same time each day for the subsequent doses.
- Swallow Ethinyloestradiol+levonorgestrel as a whole with a glass of water.
- Do not break, chew, or crush it.
Storage
Side Effects of Ethinyloestradiol+levonorgestrel
Common Side Effects (Usually mild):
- Nausea or mild stomach upset
- Headache or migraine
- Breast tenderness, pain, or swelling
- Slight weight changes or mild fluid retention
- Spotting or unexpected bleeding between periods
Serious Side Effects (Call a doctor right away):
- Sudden, severe pain or swelling in one of your legs
- Sudden shortness of breath, coughing up blood, or sharp chest pain
- Severe, unusual headache that does not go away
- Yellowing of your skin or the whites of your eyes
- Signs of an allergic reaction, including swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat, or difficulty breathing
Medicines Containing this Salt
View AllDrug Warnings
- Set a daily alarm on your phone to help you take the tablet at the exact same time every day.
- Check your blister pack every single day to verify that you have taken your scheduled tablet.
- Keep a backup pack of condoms readily available in case you miss a pill, experience vomiting, or have severe diarrhea.
- Tell all healthcare providers, including dentists and surgeons, that you take Ethinyloestradiol+levonorgestrel, as you may need to temporarily stop taking it before major surgical procedures.
- Remember that Ethinyloestradiol+levonorgestrel is designed to prevent pregnancy and does not protect you against sexually transmitted infections (STIs).
Drug Interactions
- Anti-seizure medicines (such as carbamazepine, phenytoin, or phenobarbital): May reduce the effectiveness of Ethinyloestradiol+levonorgestrel by increasing how quickly the hormones are broken down.
- Tuberculosis medicines (such as rifampicin or rifabutin): Can significantly reduce the contraceptive effect. You may need an alternative or additional method of contraception.
- Herbal supplements (such as St. John's Wort): May lower hormone levels and reduce contraceptive effectiveness.
- Most commonly used antibiotics, such as amoxicillin or doxycycline, do not reduce the effectiveness of combined oral contraceptives.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
unsafeYou are recommended not to consume alcohol along with Ethinyloestradiol+levonorgestrel to avoid unpleasant side effects.
Pregnancy
unsafeCaution should be exercised. Hormonal medicines can affect the developing baby. It is advisable to consult a doctor before using Ethinyloestradiol+levonorgestrel if you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant.
Breast Feeding
unsafeEthinyloestradiol+levonorgestrel may pass into breast milk. It may harm the baby and also affect milk production. So, it is unsafe for breastfeeding mothers.
Driving
cautionEthinyloestradiol+levonorgestrel has no or negligible influence on the ability to drive or use machines.
Liver
cautionEthinyloestradiol+levonorgestrel should be taken with caution, especially if you have a history of liver diseases/conditions. The dose may have to be adjusted by your doctor. Avoid taking Ethinyloestradiol+levonorgestrel if you have severe liver disease.
Kidney
cautionEthinyloestradiol+levonorgestrel should be taken with caution, especially if you have a history of kidney diseases/conditions. The dose may have to be adjusted by your doctor. Please consult your doctor.
Children
unsafeEthinyloestradiol+levonorgestrel is not recommended for children. Safety and efficacy of Ethinyloestradiol+levonorgestrel are established in women of reproductive age. However, sufficient studies have not been performed on women less than 16 years of age. So, take Ethinyloestradiol+levonorgestrel only when prescribed by a doctor.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Do not smoke while taking this medication. Smoking drastically increases your risk of serious cardiovascular complications, such as heart attacks, strokes, and blood clots.
- Have your blood pressure checked regularly by a healthcare professional, as hormonal contraceptives can occasionally cause blood pressure to rise.
- Eat a nutrient-dense diet rich in leafy greens, whole grains, and lean proteins to support overall cardiovascular health and hormone metabolism.
- Stay physically active and walk regularly, especially during long travels, to maintain healthy blood circulation and reduce the risk of blood clots.
Special Advise
- Stop taking this Ethinyloestradiol+levonorgestrel and inform your doctor immediately if you notice unexplained pain and swelling in your limbs, chest pain, shortness of breath, severe headache, or vision changes. These could be symptoms of a blood clot in a vein.
- Check your breasts every month for changes. If you notice lumps, dimpling of the skin, or feel anything odd, please inform your doctor.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Contraception: It is a procedure that aims to prevent pregnancy. A woman can only get pregnant if sperm fertilises her egg. Contraception aims to prevent this from happening by keeping egg and sperm apart, by stopping egg production or by not letting the uterus wall become thick. As a result, no fertilisation takes place, so contraception is a safe method for family planning.
Dysmenorrhea: It is a condition in which irregular and painful periods lead to abdominal pain, digestion problems, fainting, vomiting, and nausea. Generally, a menstrual cycle is about 25-30 days. However, this cycle may be short or prolonged in dysmenorrhea, leading to excessive pain.
FAQs
Ethinyloestradiol+levonorgestrel belongs to a group of medications called hormonal contraceptives, primarily used for contraception and in treating dysmenorrhea (irregular and painful periods).
Yes, Ethinyloestradiol+levonorgestrel can cause spotting between regular periods, especially in the first few months of taking Ethinyloestradiol+levonorgestrel. It usually stops once the body has adjusted to the medicine. If it continues, restarts again or becomes heavy, please inform your doctor, as it may require medical attention.
No, Ethinyloestradiol+levonorgestrel does not protect against sexually transmitted diseases (STDS). It is an oral form of contraception that does not protect against STDs. So, use some other form of contraception, like condoms, to avoid transmission of STDS.
You will usually get your period within three days after taking the last pill. Contact your doctor if you have any concerns.
If you forget to take one tablet of Ethinyloestradiol+levonorgestrel, take it as soon as you remember, even if it means taking two tablets at the same time and then following the usual dosing schedule. However, if you forget to take two or more doses, you may not be completely protected against pregnancy. In this case, start taking Ethinyloestradiol+levonorgestrel as soon as you remember and use a non-hormonal method such as condoms for at least the next seven days to prevent pregnancy. Frequent missing doses may cause spotting (bloodstain) or unexpected vaginal bleeding. If this persists, contact your doctor.
Ethinyloestradiol+levonorgestrel is contraindicated in women with a history of breast and cervical cancer. Women with known or suspected breast carcinoma or personal history of breast cancer should not use Ethinyloestradiol+levonorgestrel because breast cancer is usually a hormonally-sensitive tumour and Ethinyloestradiol+levonorgestrel slightly increases your risk of breast cancer. Therefore, inform your doctor if you have had a history of breast cancer before taking Ethinyloestradiol+levonorgestrel.
Ethinyloestradiol+levonorgestrel is a combination oral contraceptive pill that prevents pregnancy by stopping the release of an egg (ovulation) and altering sperm movement within the womb, making it difficult for sperm to meet the egg. It also changes the lining of the womb, making it less suitable for implantation.
Ethinyloestradiol+levonorgestrel can be taken with or without food. Swallow it as a whole with water; do not crush or chew it. The doctor will determine the dose based on your condition.
Do not take Ethinyloestradiol+levonorgestrel if you are allergic to any of its components, are pregnant or if you just had a baby. Avoid taking Ethinyloestradiol+levonorgestrel if you have uncontrolled hypertension, coronary artery disease, heart disease, circulation issues (particularly with diabetes), undiagnosed vaginal bleeding, liver disease or liver cancer, severe migraine headaches, are taking certain hepatitis C medications, undergoing major surgery, smoking, over 35, or have experienced a stroke, heart attack, blood clot, jaundice from pregnancy or birth control pills, or breast, uterine/cervix, or vaginal cancer.
No, you should not take Ethinyloestradiol+levonorgestrel if you smoke and are over 35 years. Avoid smoking while taking Ethinyloestradiol+levonorgestrel as it might increase the risk of stroke, blood clots, or heart attack.
Ethinyloestradiol+levonorgestrel may cause missed or irregular periods. If you miss your regular periods while taking Ethinyloestradiol+levonorgestrel consult the doctor as you might be pregnant.
The common side effects of Ethinyloestradiol+levonorgestrel include nausea, vomiting, breast tenderness, acne, darkening of the facial skin, and weight gain. Consult the doctor if any of these symptoms persist or worsen.
If you vomit or have severe diarrhea within 3 to 4 hours of taking your tablet, your body may not have absorbed the hormones fully. Treat this as a missed dose and follow the missed-pill instructions. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if your illness continues.
Yes, it is sometimes possible to delay your period by adjusting how you take your tablet packs, but you should never do this without explicit clinical guidance. Talk to your doctor to see if this is safe for your body.
This medicine is generally not recommended while breastfeeding, as the estrogen component can reduce the amount and quality of your breast milk. Talk to your doctor about alternative, progesterone-only options that are safer during breastfeeding.
Some women may experience minor fluid retention or temporary weight changes when they first start taking Ethinyloestradiol+levonorgestrel, but clinical studies do not show a link to significant, permanent weight gain. Talk to your doctor if you experience concerning body changes.
If you decide you want to become pregnant, simply stop taking Ethinyloestradiol+levonorgestrel at the end of your current pack. Your natural menstrual cycle and fertility should return within a few weeks to months. Talk to your doctor for personalized preconception care.
Moderate alcohol consumption does not directly stop Ethinyloestradiol+levonorgestrel from working. However, drinking heavily can lead to forgetting your daily tablet or vomiting shortly after taking it, which will lower its effectiveness. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist for personalized lifestyle advice.
Grapefruit or grapefruit juice may slightly affect how your body processes the hormones in this medicine, but this interaction is unlikely to be important for most women. If you regularly consume grapefruit or have concerns, speak with your doctor or pharmacist.
Author Details
