If you have any questions or are unsure about the information in this leaflet, call your healthcare provider. They can give you tips on how to manage any side effects that may be concerning or bothersome. It contains only 10 micrograms (mcg) ofestrogen. However, if you go two or more months in a row without a period, or you miss your period after a month where you did not take all your pills correctly, call your healthcare provider because you may be pregnant. It is not known if hormonal birth control pills cause breast cancer. To learn more, refer to the Lo Loestrin Fe dosage section below. If youre sexually active, its possible to become pregnant while taking Lo Loestrin Fe. Lo Loestrin Fe may not be right for you if you have certain medical conditions or other factors affecting your health. Take one pill at the same time every day until the pack is empty. Specifically, its a type of birth control called a combination oral contraceptive. These side effects typically go away after the first 3 months of continued use. Research into whether or not birth control causes weight gain, however, has been inconclusive. If youre interested in finding an alternative to Lo Loestrin Fe, talk with your doctor. Brown tablets: ferrous fumarate, mannitol, povidone, microcrystalline cellulose, sodium starch glycolate, magnesium stearate, sucralose and spearmint flavor. Available for Android and iOS devices. It contains 2 hormones: norethindrone (a progestin) and ethinyl estradiol (an estrogen ).This product also contains a small. Lo Loestrin Fe Savings Program! If an egg is not present, fertilization and pregnancy wont occur. Other low-dose birth control pills are also available, however, such as Yaz (drospirenone and ethinyl estradiol) and Alesse (levonorgestrel and ethinyl estradiol). Our website is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. There are multiple benefits of taking a low-dose combination pill: There are some disadvantages of taking a low-dose combination pill, though. Lo Loestrin Fe contains an estrogen called ethinyl estradiol and a progestin called norethindrone acetate. Drug classes: Contraceptives, Sex hormone combinations. As with all medications, the cost of Lo Loestrin Fe can vary. The pills should be taken in the order indicated on the pack. St. Johns wort is an herb that can decrease the effectiveness of Lo Loestrin Fe. Do not use Lo Loestrin Fe if you smoke cigarettes and are over 35 years old. Liver disease. YOU MAY SEE A CHANGE IN YOUR PERIODS. It may also have other benefits, such as shorter, lighter periods, reduced menstrual cramps, and decreased risk of ovarian and endometrial cancer. What Are My Options for Nonhormonal Birth Control? Dosage form: oral tablet Women with a BMI above 35 kg/m2 were not studied in the clinical trial, so it is not known how well this medication protects against pregnancy in such women. Lo Loestrin Fe, for effective pregnancy prevention, *,, is the only available ultra-low-dose OC with just 10 mcg of daily estrogen 2 Lo Loestrin Fe has established efficacy among patients aged 18 to 35 years with BMI 35 kg/m 2 (89-260 lb, with a mean weight of 150 lb). Theres no need for backup birth control if you miss one or both brown tablets. The typical failure rate is about 7 percent. The drug comes in a blister pack that contains 28 oral tablets. Take tablets in the order directed on the blister pack. This includes females younger than age 18 years who have begun menstruation. Using this service may help lower the drugs cost and allow you to get your medication without leaving home. To determine whether you need to use a backup form of birth control, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. Verywell Health's content is for informational and educational purposes only. If your BMI is 35 or higher, talk with your doctor. This is the day youre already scheduled to start a new pack. It does not take into account factors such as body composition, ethnicity, sex, race, and age. Birth control pills should not be taken during pregnancy. In turn, this regulates your menstrual cycle and stops ovulation (the release of an egg from an ovary). To learn more, see FDA warning: Risk of serious cardiovascular problems in certain females who smoke at the top of this section. Any menstrual cramping you have may be less severe. 2,,,. Well go over 10 benefits, from preventing menstrual migraines to, From IUDs and implants to condoms and diaphragms, each contraceptive has its pros and cons. 2016;21(2):106-15. doi:10.3109/13625187.2015.1107894. Birth Control Brands: How to Choose Whats Right for You, 10 Benefits of Birth Control Beyond Preventing Pregnancy, How Long Does It Take for Birth Control to Work? When you get Lo Loestrin Fe from the pharmacy, the pharmacist will add an expiration date to the label on the packaging. Learn more here. Then, start a new pack on the usual day. (For details about what to do in case of missed doses, see the Lo Loestrin Fe dosage section below.). Nappi R, Kaunitz A, Bitzer J. Off-label drug use is when an FDA-approved drug is prescribed for a purpose other than what its approved for. Your doctor will explain when to take your first dose of Lo Loestrin Fe. The pill pack also has 2 "reminder" brown pills (without hormones) for the last part of Week 4. Mild symptoms of an overdose can include: If you think youve taken too much of this drug, call your doctor. Birth control pill brands: What options are there? Well go over the mild and more serious side effects of the pill. Its not currently available in generic form. For information on helping prevent STIs, see this article. And to help make sure that you dont miss a dose, try using a medication reminder. 1. Examples of these events include a stroke and heart attack. The following day, take the next two tablets. Look at your pill pack: The Lo loestrin Fe pill pack has 24 "active" blue pills (with hormones) and 2 "active" white pills (with hormones) for Weeks 1, 2, 3 and part of Week 4. They can advise you on other types of birth control. They can also recommend ways to manage your cholesterol level. There are other advantages of low-dose progestin-only pills: The disadvantages of low-dose progestin-only pills can include: A study of nearly 1,000 women at New York University Langone Medical Center found that women taking low-dose birth control pills were more likely to experience pain and discomfort during sex than women taking standard birth control pills. It helps to prevent pregnancy. If you miss a period, you could be pregnant. To help make sure that you dont miss a dose, try using a medication reminder. If you miss ONE blue pill, follow these steps: If you miss TWO blue pills in a row in Week 1 or Week 2 of your pack, follow these steps: If you miss TWO pills (blue or white) in a row in Week 3 or Week 4 of your pack, follow these steps: If you miss THREE OR MORE pills (blue or white) in a row at any time, follow these steps: If you forget either of the 2 brown "reminder" pills in Week 4, follow these steps: If you are still not sure what to do about the pills you have missed: Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222. If you miss two (blue or white) tablets in a row in weeks 3 or 4. 12 CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY Learn about birth control side effects. Diabetes. This section describes the typical dosage of Lo Loestrin Fe. If you're looking to purchase birth control online, the Optum Store is one place you can do it. Dawn Stacey, PhD, LMHC, is a published author, college professor, and mental health consultant with over 15 years of counseling experience. This is because females with this BMI werent included in Lo Loestrin Fes clinical trials. They can also recommend other birth control options. Lo Loestrin Fe can raise the levels of these fats in your blood. 8 Types of Progestin in Combination Birth Control Pills, Beyaz Birth Control Benefits and Side Effects, The Pros and Cons of the Birth Control Pill, Amethyst Birth Control Pill Side Effects and Uses. Contraception: do hormonal contraceptives cause weight gain? Take it as soon as you remember. If you have any questions about eating certain foods with Lo Loestrin Fe, talk with your doctor. Healthline Media does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. This ingredient has no effect on Lo Loestrin Fe effectiveness. Its used to help prevent pregnancy. (The brown tablets are the ones that contain iron.). This includes females younger than age 18 years. Situations may include the following: Also, keep in mind that Lo Loestrin Fe doesnt protect against HIV or other sexually transmitted infections (STIs). DOI: Combination birth control pills contain estrogen and progestin. A generic drug is an exact copy of the active drug in a brand-name medication. Blood clots. If it does happen, it may be due to fluid retention or an increase in appetite. American Society of Reproductive Medicine. Body mass index (BMI) is a dated, flawed measure. If you dont want to become pregnant, talk with your doctor before you stop taking Lo Loestrin Fe. (This is the day you start bleeding or spotting, even if it is almost midnight when the bleeding begins.). The 7 inactive pills contain a small amount of ferrous fumurate (Fe). Take the day label strip that starts with the first day of your period. Contact your healthcare provider for advice if you: You should stop Lo Loestrin Fe at least four weeks before you have surgery and not restart it until at least two weeks after the surgery, due to an increased risk of blood clots. Pills that only have 10 mcg of estrogen are classified as ultra-low-dose. Before approving coverage for Lo Loestrin Fe, your insurance company may require you to get prior authorization. If you are scheduled for any laboratory tests, tell your healthcare provider that you are taking birth control pills. They do not protect against HIV infection (AIDS) and other sexually transmitted diseases. They may offer advice or recommend a different form of birth control for you. Progestin also thickens your cervical mucus, making it harder for sperm to reach any released eggs. ethinyl estradiol and norethindrone acetate, Lo Loestrin Fe pregnancy and breastfeeding warnings, Detailed Lo Loestrin Fe dosage information. Are allergic to anything in this medication. What to Know About Provera (medroxyprogesterone acetate), Oral Contraceptive Pills (OCP): What You Should Know. Do not skip any pills, even if you do not have sex often. Lo Loestrin Fe is the only available ultra-low-dose oral contraceptive (OC) with just 10 mcg of daily estrogen 2 Unique 24/2/2 regimen2 with a 2-day hormone-free interval Lo Loestrin Fe has no generic equivalent available 3 *The efficacy of Lo Loestrin Fe in women with a body mass index (BMI) >35 kg/m2 has not been evaluated.2, Use of the term female in this article refers to sex assigned at birth. 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 switch from an IUD, discuss with your healthcare provider when to start Lo Loestrin Fe. Then one pill a day until you finish the pack. Lo Loestrin Fe has a boxed warning for this side effect. This is a commonly reported side effect of many hormonal contraceptives. (2017). All rights reserved. For instance, some interactions can interfere with how well a drug works. Do not skip pills even if you are spotting or bleeding between monthly periods or feel sick to your stomach (nausea). Your periods may be lighter. If you have had an allergic reaction to Lo Loestrin Fe or any of its ingredients, your doctor will likely not prescribe it. If youd like to know how long to take Lo Loestrin Fe, talk with your doctor. Drugs, devices and supplements: Birth control options. Miss one period and have not taken your birth control pills every day, Less effective than implants, injections, intrauterine devices and sterilization, which result in fewer than 1 pregnancy per 100 women in a year, As effective as a skin patch or vagina ring with hormones, Slightly more effective than condoms and diaphragms, More effective than using spermicide, withdrawal or having no sex during the most fertile days of the monthly cycle, which result in 10 to 20 pregnancies per 100 women in one year, More effective than no birth control, which results in 85 or more pregnancies per 100 women in one year, Ever had blood clots in your legs (deep vein thrombosis), lungs (pulmonary embolism), or eyes (retinal thrombosis), Certain heart valve problems or heart rhythm abnormalities that can cause blood clots to form in the heart, An inherited problem with your blood that makes it clot more than normal, High blood pressure that medicine can't control, Diabetes with kidney, eye, nerve, or blood vessel damage, Ever had certain kinds of severe migraine headaches with aura, numbness, weakness or changes in vision, Ever had breast cancer, which may be sensitive to female hormones. Your healthcare provider can help you decide if a low-estrogen birth control is the right choice for you. 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. . A boxed warning alerts doctors and patients about drug effects that may be dangerous. These effects are temporary. We avoid using tertiary references. Taking Lo Loestrin Fe while breastfeeding could reduce your amount of breast milk. (norethindrone acetate/ethinyl estradiol, ethinyl estradiol, ferrous fumarate). But you may skip a period, especially if you miss multiple doses and need to start a new pack of pills. *The efficacy of Lo Loestrin Fe in women with a body mass index (BMI) >35 kg/m 2 has not been evaluated. If you have questions or concerns about side effects of Lo Loestrin Fe, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. Some medications or herbal supplements may decrease the effectiveness of Lo Loestrin Fe or increase your likelihood of having breakthrough bleeding. Take any Hepatitis C drug combination containing ombitasvir/paritaprevir/ritonavir, with or without dasabuvir. Examples of antibiotics include: If you have questions about drug interactions that may affect you, ask your doctor or pharmacist. 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. In this situation, you can take two tablets in 1 day. Our experts continually monitor the health and wellness space, and we update our articles when new information becomes available. Going through menopause can increase the risk of certain diseases, such as heart disease, osteoporosis . To learn more, see the Lo Loestrin Fe dosage section above. The drug doesnt affect your future fertility (ability to become pregnant). Use of the term female in this article refers to sex assigned at birth. The current stance of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is to avoid using expired medications. You may also have an increased risk of side effects from changes in hormone levels in your body. On the days you take 2 pills to make up for missed pills, you could also feel a little sick to your stomach. Drugs called CYP3A4 inducers are used to treat a number of conditions, such as migraine and epilepsy. Lo Loestrin Fe is a prescription medication used by women who want to prevent pregnancy. Take the two missed tablets as soon as you can. For details about allergic reaction and Lo Loestrin Fe, see Allergic reaction below. This helps prevent others, including children and pets, from taking the drug by accident. Learn whether you need to take. Because of this risk, doctors typically dont prescribe Lo Loestrin Fe to females ages 35 years and older who smoke. 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. However, if they become more severe or dont go away, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. With so many birth control pill brands out there, it can be hard to know where to begin. Youll take Lo Loestrin Fe once per day. Learn where and how to access this, and more. For details, see the Lo Loestrin Fe dosage section above. High blood pressure. This risk increases further with a persons age and how much the person smokes. The expiration date helps guarantee that the medication is effective during this time. White tablets: mannitol, microcrystalline cellulose, sodium starch glycolate, magnesium stearate, povidone, vitamin E and lactose monohydrate. You may not have a period this month. Certain HIV medications. The strengths and ingredients of the tablets vary. You should take the tablets in order as shown in the package labeling. have a history of heart disease, stroke, or blood clots. Also tell them about any vitamins, herbs, and supplements you use. This means you may take two pills in 1 day. This manmade version of progesterone is also known as progestin. This drug comes with several precautions. Ethinyl estradiol is a synthetic form of the hormone estrogen. COCs contain the hormones estrogen and progestin as active ingredients. To learn more about how the drug performed in these trials, see Lo Loestrin Fes prescribing information. You can also talk with your doctor or pharmacist. Not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment your health laboratory... When the bleeding begins. ) egg is not known if hormonal birth control online, the Store... Can increase the risk of side effects of Lo Loestrin Fe how the doesnt. 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