Norgestimate/Ethinyl Estradiol: Uses, Side Effects, Interactions, Pictures, Warnings & Dosing - WebMD

Who should not use norgestimate/ethinyl estradiol?

Allergies to Ingredients. People who are allergic to any of the following should not use norgestimate/ethinyl estradiol.

• Norgestimate
• Ethinyl estradiol
• Tri-Mili
• Mili
• Tri-Lo-Mili
• Any of the ingredients in the specific product dispensed

Your pharmacist can tell you all of the ingredients in the specific norgestimate/ethinyl estradiol products they stock.

Drug Interactions. Norgestimate/ethinyl estradiol should not be taken while you are using certain other medicines. Before taking norgestimate/ethinyl estradiol, tell your healthcare provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. See the Interactions section for more details.

Pregnancy. Do not take norgestimate/ethinyl estradiol if you are pregnant. If you become pregnant, contact your healthcare professional right away. See the Pregnancy section for more details.

Smoking. Norgestimate/ethinyl estradiol should not be taken if you are 35 years of age or older and if you smoke, as this can increase your chances of having blood clots.

History of Blood Clots. Norgestimate/ethinyl estradiol should not be taken if you currently have or have had a history of deep vein thrombosis (DVT),  pulmonary embolism (PE), stroke, heart attack, or have blood clots/blood vessel damage from diabetes.

Blood and Blood Vessel Problems. Norgestimate/ethinyl estradiol should not be taken if you have a condition that makes your blood more prone to getting blood clots (hypercoagulation). Norgestimate/ethinyl estradiol should not be taken if you have plaque buildup in your blood vessels (coronary artery disease) or if you have a condition that affects the blood flow to your brain (cerebrovascular disease). 

Diabetes. Norgestimate/ethinyl estradiol should not be taken if you have diabetes with kidney, eye, nerve, or blood vessel damage. 

Heart Problems. Norgestimate/ethinyl estradiol should not be taken if you currently have or have had a history of heart rhythm problems (such as atrial fibrillation) or heart valve problems, as this may increase your chances of having a blood clot.

Increased Blood Pressure (Hypertension). Norgestimate/ethinyl estradiol should not be taken if you have high blood pressure that is not controlled or high blood pressure with a condition that affects your blood vessels (vascular disease).

Headaches/Migraines. Norgestimate/ethinyl estradiol should not be taken if you have migraines with vision or hearing changes, muscle weakness, tingling, or speaking problems (aura) or certain types of headaches. Norgestimate/ethinyl estradiol should not be taken if you are 35 or older with migraine headaches (with or without aura).

Liver Tumors or Problems. Norgestimate/ethinyl estradiol should not be used if you have hepatic adenoma (a non-cancerous tumor on your liver), hepatocellular carcinoma (cancerous tumor on the liver), acute hepatitis (inflammation of the liver), or decompensated cirrhosis (scar tissue on your liver).

Spotting. Norgestimate/ethinyl estradiol should not be taken if you are bleeding between your monthly periods without any specific causes. Tell your healthcare provider if you are bleeding between your monthly periods while on norgestimate/ethinyl estradiol. Your healthcare provider will find out why this is happening and may do tests to determine if you are able to take this medicine.

Breast Cancer. Norgestimate/ethinyl estradiol should not be taken if you have or have had breast cancer.

What should I know about norgestimate/ethinyl estradiol before using it?

Read the Instructions for Use when taking norgestimate/ethinyl estradiol for the first time and for instructions on how to take norgestimate/ethinyl estradiol if you’ve missed a dose.

Norgestimate/ethinyl estradiol does not protect against human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), or other sexually transmitted infections (STIs).

Do not take norgestimate/ethinyl estradiol if you smoke and are 35 years of age or older. Smoking while taking norgestimate/ethinyl estradiol can increase your chances of having heart and blood vessel problems, which can include blood clots, heart attack, or stroke. Your risk increases as you get older and the number of cigarettes you smoke.

Norgestimate/ethinyl estradiol comes in a blister pack with 28 tablets that are separated into different colors. Take tablets in order (from left to right) at the same time every day until the pack is finished. After taking the last tablet in the blister pack, start with the first tablet in a new blister pack. Talk to your healthcare provider about backup contraception options (condoms, spermicide).

Your periods may be irregular, lighter and/or shorter than usual while you are on norgestimate/ethinyl estradiol. If you miss your period and have not taken norgestimate/ethinyl estradiol as directed, call your healthcare provider right away.

Do not take norgestimate/ethinyl estradiol unless it has been prescribed to you by a healthcare provider. Take it as prescribed.

Do not share norgestimate/ethinyl estradiol with other people, even if they have the same condition as you. It may harm them.

Keep norgestimate/ethinyl estradiol out of the reach of children.

What should I tell my healthcare provider before using norgestimate/ethinyl estradiol?

Tell your healthcare provider about all of your health conditions and any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. This will help them determine if norgestimate/ethinyl estradiol is right for you.

In particular, make sure that you discuss any of the following.

Major Surgeries. Talk to your healthcare provider about any upcoming surgeries. Taking norgestimate/ethinyl estradiol may increase your risk of blood clots after surgery.  Your healthcare provider may stop norgestimate/ethinyl estradiol if you are about to have major surgery and may not start you on it right away after your surgery. If your healthcare provider decides to stop norgestimate/ethinyl estradiol because of an upcoming surgery, your healthcare provider will talk to you about other forms of contraception to use during that time.

Gallbladder Problems. Talk to your healthcare provider if you have gallbladder problems, as this may worsen while taking norgestimate/ethinyl estradiol. Tell your healthcare provider if you previously had a condition called cholestasis (slowed flow of bile from the liver) while you were pregnant, as this may increase your chances of having cholestasis again when taking norgestimate/ethinyl estradiol. Cholestasis can cause your skin or the whites of your eyes to turn yellowish (jaundice).

Angioedema. Talk to your healthcare provider if you have a condition called hereditary angioedema that leads to swelling in different parts of your body including your lips, face, tongue, or throat. Taking norgestimate/ethinyl estradiol may increase your chances of having angioedema or make your angioedema symptoms worse if you have a history of angioedema. 

Skin Issues. Talk to your healthcare provider if you have had a condition that led to dark patches of skin around your forehead, nose, cheeks, and around your mouth, especially during pregnancy (chloasma), as this may increase your chances of having chloasma while taking norgestimate/ethinyl estradiol. 

Depression. Talk to your healthcare provider if you have a history of depression. Taking norgestimate/ethinyl estradiol may worsen depression.

Pregnancy. Do not use norgestimate/ethinyl estradiol and tell your healthcare provider if you are or plan to become pregnant. If you become pregnant, stop taking norgestimate/ethinyl estradiol right away and contact your healthcare provider.

Breastfeeding. Norgestimate/ethinyl estradiol passes into breast milk. Tell your healthcare provider if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. Norgestimate/ethinyl estradiol may decrease the amount of breastmilk you make. Your healthcare provider will advise you if you should take norgestimate/ethinyl estradiol while breastfeeding.