Norgestrel-Ethinyl Estradiol
USES
This medication contains progestin and estrogen, two forms of female hormones. It is mainly used to prevent pregnancy and ovulation.
This hormone combination medicine is also used to treat the ailments listed below:
- Hypogonadism (low level of female hormones in the body)
- PCOS (polycystic ovarian syndrome)
- Endometriosis
- Heavy/irregular periods
- Menstrual cramps
- Premenstrual condition
- Unexplained uterine bleeding
IUPAC name: Norgestrel- (8R,9S,10R,13S,14S)-13-ethyl-17-ethynyl-17-hydroxy-1,2,6,7,8,9,10,11,12,14,15,16-dodecahydro cyclopenta[a]phenanthren-3-one
Ethinyl Estradiol– (8R,9S,13S,14S,17R)-17-ethynyl-13-methyl-7,8,9,11,12,14,15,16-octahydro-6H-cyclopenta[a]phenanthrene-3,17-diol
Product type: Birth control pill
Drug class: Hormonal contraceptive, progestin/estrogen
Is it a drug that needs a prescription? YES
Is it an OTC drug? NO
Mechanism of action
This combination works by preventing ovulation, which reduces the amount of ovarian cysts and the hormone-related symptoms of PCOS.
Side effects
- nausea/vomiting
- bloating
- vaginal irritation/itching
- spotting
- dizziness
- breast tenderness
- increased vaginal discharge
- headache
- severe pain in stomach
- weakness in hands/feet/ankles
- mood changes (depression, anxiety)
- rash/acne/spots on skin
Precaution
Take the following precautions before using this drug and notify your doctor:
- If you are allergic to estrogen (mestranol, ethinyl estradiol) or to progestin (levonorgestrel, desogestrel, norethindrone), or if you have any other kind of allergy, consult your doctor.
- If you are taking any other medications (prescribed, non-prescribed, or herbal products),
- If you have or ever had a medical history of signs of blood clots, hypertension, cardiac disease, renal disease, hepatic disease, high cholesterol, breast or uterus cancer, migraines, edema, unusual vaginal bleeding, stroke, high blood sugar,
- It may cause melasma. Avoid going out in the sun. Always wear sunscreen.
- It may take a longer time to get pregnant after you stop taking this pill.
- This medication should be avoided during pregnancy.
