loestrin 24 side effects

Loestrin 24 Fe is commonly used contraceptive pill. It is mainly advertised as having a relatively low dose of hormones and most importantly the ability to give women shorter, lighter periods. Loestrin 24 Fe (norethindrone acetate and ethinyl estradiol tablets, USP and ferrous fumarate tablets), was the very first birth control pill approved by the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) in the United States which provided 24 days of active hormonal therapy and four days of iron based placebo pills. It was approved in February of 2006.

In general, most side effects of Loestrin 24 Fe are not serious. These less serious side effects include: nausea, vomiting, bleeding or spotting between menstrual periods, slight weight gain, breast tenderness, and difficulty wearing contact lenses. If you are taking Loestrin 24 Fe and experience any of these side effects, don't worry, they will probably decrease within the first three months of use. This is due to your body getting used to the new stream of hormones that Loestrin 24 contains. If these side effects do not increase, it is a good idea to talk to your doctor and perhaps consider another contraceptive method.

Unfortunately, as with all birth control pills, Loestrin 24 Fe is associated with a few more serious side effects. Note that these side effects occur very infrequently, especially if you are in good health. Loestrin 24 Fe has been associated with the following conditions (Loestrin 24 Fe may not cause these conditions but may help make them worse):

1. Blood Clots - Especially in the legs (this is know as thrombophlebitis), lungs (pulmonary embolism), stoppage or rupture of a blood vessel in the brain (stroke), blockage of blood vessels in the heart (heart attack/angina), or other organs in the body. Note that smoking while taking the pill will increase the risk of all these conditions. If you are experiencing migraine headaches while taking this pill you are at an increased risk of having a stroke.
2. Liver Tumors - It is possible for these tumors to rupture and cause severe internal bleeding. Currently, research being conducted about liver cancer has revealed a possible (but not proven), association between taking the pill and developing liver cancer. Fortunately, liver cancer is very rare, and thus the probability of one developing liver cancer as a result of taking Loestrin 24 Fe is even rarer.
3. High Blood Pressure - Individuals with high blood pressure are more likely to develop diabetes, and will be at a higher risk of having a heart attack or stroke. Note that usually when one stops using the pill, high blood pressure will return back to normal.

Despite the list of potential side effects one may experience as a result of taking the pill, there are many health benefits in addition to preventing pregnancy. These include:

1. Menstrual cycles will be regulated. You more or less will have control of when you will have your period
2. During menstruation blood flow is usually considerably lighter and therefore less iron is lost (reduces the risk of anemia). This also causes cramping to diminish. 
3. Ovarian Cysts may occur less frequently
4. Ectopic pregnancy may occur less frequently. (More commonly known as tubal pregnancy)
5. Non Cancerous lumps that develop in the breasts will occur less frequently
6. Acute pelvic inflammatory disease will occur less frequently
7. Although there may be a link to developing liver or breast cancer as a result of taking the pill, Loestrin 24 Fe may help to provide protection against ovarian cancer and cancer in the lining of the uterus. 

If you miss a pill, the chances of getting pregnant will dramatically increase. This is especially true if you miss a pill that is one of the first or last ones of the pack. This is because these pills generally have higher hormone doses. Remember that when taking the pill, it will be most effective if you are able to ingest it at the exact same time every single day.

If you miss 1 pill:

Take it as soon as you remember and then take the next pill at your regular time. This will likely mean that you will need to take two pills in one day. It may be a smart idea to use a backup birth control method if you have sex that day. However, Warner Chilcott, (the developer of Loestrin 24 Fe), says that back up birth control would not be necessary if you have only missed one pill.

If you miss 2 white pills in a row during week 1 or week 2:

Take 2 pills as soon as you remember, then the next day at your regular time take another two. This will catch you back up to where you are supposed to be. You will then take one pill a day until you finish the pack. Note that it is possible to become pregnant during the seven days after you continue taking your pills. It is recommended that you use an alternate method of birth control if you choose to have sex during this time.

If you miss 2 white pills in a row during week 3 or week 4 of your pack:

If you are a day one starter, throw the rest of your pack and then start a brand new pack on the very same day. If you are a Sunday stater continue taking your pills regularly until the soonest Sunday. At this point you should throw out your pack and start a brand new one. Note that you may not have your period this month and that is too be expected. If you miss your period for 2 months in a row you should contact your doctor or purchase a pregnancy test as you may be pregnant. Note that in the seven days after you start taking the pill again it is possible to become pregnant and thus it is a good idea to use an alternate method of birth control during this time.

If you miss 3 or more white pills in a row at any time:

If you are a day one starter throw the rest of your pills in the garbage and start a brand new pack on the same day. If you are a Sunday starter continue to take white pills until Sunday. Once you've made it to Sunday, throw out the rest of your pack and start a brand new pack of pills on the same day. Note it is likely that you will not have your period this month. Don't worry, it is to be expected. However if you miss your period for 2 months in a row you should take a pregnancy test or contact your doctor as it is possible you are pregnant. Note that during the seven days after restarting your pill it is possible to get pregnant and consequently you should use an alternate method of birth control.

If you for get to take any of the brown pills in week 4:

Don't worry, these are placebo pills. As long as you throw out the ones you have missed and stay on schedule there is no need to panic.

If you are really not sure about what to do about the pills you have forgotten to take:

Continue to take the white pills until you can reach your doctor. You should make sure that you use an alternate birth control method any time you have sex.

Loestrin 24 Fe was developed by the company Warner Chilcott. It was first approved and released in February of 2006. The main focus of this company is woman's healthcare, gastroenterology, dermatology and urology segments of the North American and Western European pharmaceutical markets.

Over the years Warner Chilcott has evolved from being a small retailer of undifferentiated products into a tremendous pharmaceutical company. Many Warner Chilcott products are top sellers in today's market (Asacol, Actonel, Loestrin, Ocvon 35, Ocvon 50, Estrostep Fe etc.). Sales have continuously expanded, therefore enhancing the promotion of Warner Chilcott products in the U.S., Western Europe and many other markets. As Warner Chilcott has continued this upward climb, the diversity of their revenue sources have improved and their products have been enhanced thereby allowing Warner Chilcott to possess a deeper range of products.

Currently Warner Chilcott is based out of Ardee, Ireland. However the company has employees stretching across 12 different countries around North America and Western Europe. All of their products are manufactured in Puerto Rico, Northern Ireland and Germany. In case you are interested in stocks, Warner Chilcott is listed on the Nasdaq Stock Exchange and trades under the symbol WCRX.