Ethinyl Estradiol And Norgestrel (Oral Route)

Ethinyl estradiol and norgestrel combination is used to prevent pregnancy. It works by stopping a woman's egg from fully developing each month. The egg can no longer accept a sperm and fertilization (pregnancy) is prevented.

No contraceptive method is 100 percent effective. Birth control methods such as having surgery to become sterile or not having sex are more effective than birth control pills. Discuss your options for birth control with your doctor.

This medicine will not prevent HIV infection or other sexually transmitted diseases. It will not help as emergency contraception, such as after unprotected sexual contact.

This medicine is available only with your doctor's prescription.

This product is available in the following dosage forms:

• Tablet

Appropriate studies on the relationship of age to the effects of ethinyl estradiol and norgestrel combination have not been performed in the geriatric population. This medicine is not indicated for use in elderly women.

Studies in women breastfeeding have demonstrated harmful infant effects. An alternative to this medication should be prescribed or you should stop breastfeeding while using this medicine.

Certain medicines should not be used at or around the time of eating food or eating certain types of food since interactions may occur. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also cause interactions to occur. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive.

Using this medicine with any of the following may cause an increased risk of certain side effects but may be unavoidable in some cases. If used together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use this medicine, or give you special instructions about the use of food, alcohol, or tobacco.

• Caffeine
• Grapefruit Juice

The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of this medicine. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:

• Abnormal or unusual vaginal bleeding or
• Blood clots (eg, deep vein thrombosis, pulmonary embolism), or history of or
• Breast cancer, or history of or
• Diabetes with kidney, eye, nerve, or blood vessel damage or
• Heart attack, history of or
• Heart or blood vessel disease (eg, coronary artery disease, heart valve problems), or history of or
• Hypertension (high blood pressure), uncontrolled or
• Jaundice during pregnancy or from using hormonal therapy in the past or
• Liver disease, including tumors or cancer or
• Major surgery in near future, with prolonged periods of immobilization or
• Migraine headache or
• Stroke, history of or
• Tumors (estrogen-dependent), known or suspected—Should not be used in patients with these conditions.

• Depression, history of or
• Epilepsy, history of or
• Gallbladder disease, history of or
• Hyperlipidemia (high cholesterol or fats in the blood) or
• Kidney disease—May make these conditions worse.

• Diarrhea or
• Vomiting—May decrease the absorption of ethinyl estradiol and norgestrel combination in the body.

Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light. Keep from freezing.

Keep out of the reach of children.

Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.

Ask your healthcare professional how you should dispose of any medicine you do not use.