ethinyl estradiol and etonogestrel Health Article

• sudden numbness or weakness, especially on one side of the body;

• sudden headache, confusion, pain behind the eyes, problems with vision, speech, or balance;

• chest pain or heavy feeling, pain spreading to the arm or shoulder, nausea, sweating, general ill feeling;

• a change in the pattern or severity of migraine headaches;

• nausea, stomach pain, low fever, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes);

• swelling in your hands, ankles, or feet;

• a breast lump; or

• symptoms of depression (sleep problems, weakness, mood changes).

Less serious side effects may include:

• mild nausea, vomiting, bloating, stomach cramps;

• breast pain, tenderness, or swelling;

• freckles or darkening of facial skin;

• increased hair growth, loss of scalp hair;

• changes in weight or appetite;

• problems with contact lenses;

• vaginal itching or discharge;

• changes in your menstrual periods, decreased sex drive; or

• headache, nervousness, dizziness, tired feeling.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Tell your doctor about any unusual or bothersome side effect.

What other drugs will affect ethinyl estradiol and etonogestrel?

Some drugs can make ethinyl estradiol and etonogestrel less effective, which may result in pregnancy. Before using this medication, tell your doctor if you are using any of the following drugs:

• acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ascorbic acid (vitamin C);

• griseofulvin (Grisactin, Grifulvin V, Fulvicin PG);

• rifampin (Rifadin);

• phenylbutazone (Azolid, Butazolidin);

• modafinil (Provigil);

• St. John's wort;

• seizure medicines such as phenytoin (Dilantin), carbamazepine (Tegretol), felbamate (Felbatol), oxcarbazepine (Trileptal), topiramate (Topamax), or primidone (Mysoline);

• a barbiturate such as amobarbital (Amytal), butabarbital (Butisol), mephobarbital (Mebaral), secobarbital (Seconal), or phenobarbital (Luminal, Solfoton); or

• HIV medicines such as amprenavir (Agenerase), atazanavir (Reyataz), tipranavir (Aptivus), indinavir (Crixivan), saquinavir (Invirase), lopinavir/ritonavir (Kaletra), fosamprenavir (Lexiva), ritonavir (Norvir), or nelfinavir (Viracept).

This list is not complete and there may be other drugs that can interact with ethinyl estradiol and etonogestrel. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor.

Where can I get more information?

Your pharmacist can provide more information about ethinyl estradiol and etonogestrel.

Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.