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Levonorgestrel-Ethinyl Estradiol Oral: uses and side effects

Mar 20，2024

Uses

This combination hormone medication Levonorgestrel-Ethinyl Estradiol is used to prevent pregnancy. It contains 2 hormones: levonorgestrel (a progestin) and ethinyl estradiol (an estrogen). Besides preventing pregnancy, birth control pills may make your periods more regular, decrease blood loss and painful periods, decrease your risk of ovarian cysts, and treat acne. Using this medication does not protect you or your partner against sexually transmitted diseases (such as HIV, gonorrhea, or chlamydia).

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Ethinyl estradiol

Ethinyl estradiol, 17α-ethinyl-1,3,5(10)-estratrien-3-17β-diol (28.1.26), is made either by condensing estrone with acetylene in the presence of potassium hydroxide (Favorskii reaction) or by reacting sodium acetylene in liquid ammonia with estrone. It is an estrogen medication that is used widely in birth control pills in combination with progestins. In the past, the drug was widely used for various indications such as the treatment of menopausal symptoms, gynecological disorders, and certain hormone-sensitive cancers.

Levonorgestrel

Levonorgestrel, also known as the morning-after pill, is a first-line oral emergency contraceptive pill with approval from the World Health Organization to prevent pregnancy. It is FDA-approved to be used within 72 hours of unprotected sexual intercourse or when a presumed contraceptive failure has occurred.

Side effects

Nausea, vomiting, headache, abdominal cramps/bloating, breast tenderness, swelling of the ankles/feet (retaining fluid), or weight change may occur. If any of these effects last or get worse, tell your doctor or pharmacist promptly.

Many women will not have regular periods while taking this medication. This is normal. Vaginal bleeding/spotting is likely to occur, especially during the first few months of use. If bleeding is unusually heavy or lasts for more than 7 days in a row, contact your doctor promptly.

This medication may raise blood pressure. Check blood pressure regularly and tell the doctor if the results are high.

Tell the doctor right away if a human has any serious side effects, including lumps in the breast, mental/mood changes (such as new/worsening depression), unusual changes in vaginal bleeding (such as continuous spotting, sudden heavy bleeding), severe pain in the stomach/abdomen/pelvis, dark urine, yellowing eyes/skin.

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