Online Store

= Prescription Required = Generic Equvalent

Ethinyl Estradiol/Norgestrel (Norgestrel)

Ovral 21
Tablets
Ethinyl Estradiol/Norgestrel (Norgestrel)

Ethinyl Estradiol/Norgestrel (Norgestrel) Information

Ethinyl Estradiol/Norgestrel (By mouth)
Ethinyl Estradiol (ETH-i-nil es-tra-DYE-ol), Norgestrel (nor-JES-trel)

Prevents pregnancy. Ethinyl Estradiol/Norgestrel (Norgestrel) is an oral contraceptive (birth control pill).

Brand Name(s):Low-Ogestrel 28, Lo/Ovral-28, Ogestrel-28, Lo/Ovral, Cryselle, Low-Ogestrel, Ovral-21, Ovral-28
There may be other brand names for Ethinyl Estradiol/Norgestrel (Norgestrel).

When Ethinyl Estradiol/Norgestrel (Norgestrel) Should Not Be Used:
You should not use Ethinyl Estradiol/Norgestrel (Norgestrel) if you have had an allergic reaction to ethinyl estradiol or norgestrel, or if you are pregnant. Do not use Ethinyl Estradiol/Norgestrel (Norgestrel) if you have liver disease or liver cancer, breast cancer, cancer of the uterus, a blood vessel disorder, heart disease, high blood pressure that is not controlled, or a history of blood clots, heart attacks, or strokes. Do not use Ethinyl Estradiol/Norgestrel (Norgestrel) if you have unusual vaginal bleeding, or certain types of headaches. Do not use Ethinyl Estradiol/Norgestrel (Norgestrel) if you have ever had jaundice (yellow eyes or skin) caused by pregnancy or birth control pills, or if you are having a surgery that requires bedrest for a long time.

How to Use Ethinyl Estradiol/Norgestrel (Norgestrel):
Tablet

Your doctor will tell you how much of Ethinyl Estradiol/Norgestrel (Norgestrel) to use and how often. Do not use more medicine or use it more often than your doctor tells you to.
Ethinyl Estradiol/Norgestrel (Norgestrel) comes with patient instructions. Read and follow these instructions carefully. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions.
Carefully follow your doctor's instructions about when to start taking your medicine. You may begin taking the pills on the first day of your menstrual period, or on the Sunday after your period begins.
You may need to use a second form of birth control when you first start using Ethinyl Estradiol/Norgestrel (Norgestrel). Talk with your doctor about this. Some other forms of birth control include condoms, diaphragms, or contraceptive foams and jellies.
Take your pill at the same time every day. Birth control pills work best when there is no more than 24 hours between doses. It is very important that you take Ethinyl Estradiol/Norgestrel (Norgestrel) on time every day.
Keep your pills in the container you receive from the pharmacy. Take the pills in the order they appear in the container.

If a dose is missed:

Ethinyl Estradiol/Norgestrel (Norgestrel) has specific patient instructions on what to do if you miss a dose. Read and follow these instructions carefully, and call your doctor if you have any questions.
If you miss one white pill, take it as soon as you can. Then take your next pill at the regular time. This means you may take two pills in one day. Use a second form of birth control until you have been taking white pills for seven days in a row.
If you miss two white pills in a row during Week 1 or 2, take two pills as soon as you can. Take two more pills on the next day. Then go back to your regular schedule of taking one pill every day. Use a second form of birth control until you have been taking white pills for seven days in a row.
If you started Ethinyl Estradiol/Norgestrel (Norgestrel) on Day 1 of your period and you miss two white pills in a row during Week 3, throw out the rest of your pills and start a new pack the same day. If you miss three or more white pills in a row during any week, throw out the rest of your pills and start a new pack the same day. Use a second form of birth control until you have been taking white pills for seven days in a row.
If you started Ethinyl Estradiol/Norgestrel (Norgestrel) on the Sunday after your period started and you miss two white pills in a row during Week 3, keep taking one pill every day until the next Sunday. Then throw away the rest of your pills and start a new pack on that same Sunday. Use a second form of birth control until you have been taking white pills for seven days in a row.
If you started Ethinyl Estradiol/Norgestrel (Norgestrel) on the Sunday after your period started and you miss three or more white pills in a row during any week, keep taking one pill every day until the next Sunday. Then throw away the rest of your pills and start a new pack on that same Sunday. Use a second form of birth control until you have been taking white pills for seven days in a row.
If you miss your pills and change your schedule, you may not have a period for that month. Make sure your doctor knows if you miss your period two months in a row, because you may be pregnant.
You could have light bleeding or spotting any time you do not take a pill on time. The more pills you miss, the more likely you are to have bleeding.

How to Store and Dispose of Ethinyl Estradiol/Norgestrel (Norgestrel):

Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light.
Ask your pharmacist, doctor, or health caregiver about the best way to dispose of any leftover medicine after you have finished your treatment. You will also need to throw away old medicine after the expiration date has passed.
Keep all medicine away from children and never share your medicine with anyone.

Drugs and Foods to Avoid:
Ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.

Make sure your doctor knows if you are using acetaminophen (Tylenol®), ascorbic acid (Vitamin C), cyclosporine (Gengraf®, Neoral®, Sandimmune®), modafinil (Provigil®), morphine (Astramorph PF®, Duramorph®), phenylbutazone (Butazolidin®), salicylic acid, St. John's wort, or theophylline (Theo-Dur®).
Tell your doctor if you are also using certain antibiotics (such as ampicillin, griseofulvin, rifabutin, rifampin, penicillin, tetracycline, troleandomycin, Grifulvin V®, Mycobutin®, Omnipen®, Rifadin®, Rimactane®, Sumycin®, Tao®), medicine for seizures (such as carbamazepine, felbamate, oxcarbazepine, phenobarbital, phenytoin, primidone, temazepam, topiramate, Dilantin®, Felbatol®, Mysoline®, Restoril®, Solfoton®, Tegretol®, Topamax®, Trileptal®), or steroid medicine (such as dexamethasone, prednisolone, Decadron®, Delta-Cortef®).
Make sure you doctor knows if you are also using medicine to treat HIV or AIDS (such as indinavir, ritonavir, Crixivan®, Norvir®), medicine to treat a fungus infection (such as fluconazole, itraconazole, ketoconazole, Diflucan®, Nizoral®, Sporanox®), or medicine to lower cholesterol (such as atorvastatin, clofibric acid, Lipitor®).

Warnings While Using Ethinyl Estradiol/Norgestrel (Norgestrel):

Although you are using Ethinyl Estradiol/Norgestrel (Norgestrel) to prevent pregnancy, you should know that using Ethinyl Estradiol/Norgestrel (Norgestrel) while you are pregnant could harm the unborn baby. If you think you have become pregnant while using Ethinyl Estradiol/Norgestrel (Norgestrel), tell your doctor right away.
Make sure your doctor knows if you are breastfeeding, or if you have high blood pressure, high cholesterol or triglycerides (fat) in your blood, diabetes, breast lumps, a family history of breast cancer, migraine headaches, a history of depression, gallbladder disease, heart disease, kidney disease, or irregular monthly periods.
If you smoke while using birth control pills, you increase your risk of having a heart attack, stroke, or blood clot. Your risk is even higher if you are over 35 years old, if you have diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol in the blood, or if you are overweight. Talk with your doctor about ways to stop smoking. Keep your diabetes under control. Ask your doctor about diet and exercise to control your weight and blood cholesterol level.
Ethinyl Estradiol/Norgestrel (Norgestrel) may also increase your risk of certain types of cancer. Talk to your doctor if you have concerns about this risk.
Ethinyl Estradiol/Norgestrel (Norgestrel) will not protect you from getting HIV/AIDS or other sexually transmitted diseases. If this is a concern for you, talk with your doctor.
You might have some light bleeding or spotting when you first start using Ethinyl Estradiol/Norgestrel (Norgestrel). This is usually normal and should not last long. However, if you have heavy bleeding or the bleeding lasts more than a few days in a row, call your doctor.
If you miss two periods in a row, call your doctor for a pregnancy test before you take any more pills.
If you wear contact lenses and you have vision problems or eye discomfort, check with your eye doctor.
Make sure any doctor or dentist who treats you knows that you are using Ethinyl Estradiol/Norgestrel (Norgestrel). You may need to stop using Ethinyl Estradiol/Norgestrel (Norgestrel) several days before having surgery or medical tests.
Make sure any doctor or dentist who treats you knows that you are using Ethinyl Estradiol/Norgestrel (Norgestrel). Ethinyl Estradiol/Norgestrel (Norgestrel) may affect the results of certain medical tests.
Your doctor will need to check your progress at regular visits while you are using Ethinyl Estradiol/Norgestrel (Norgestrel). Be sure to keep all appointments.

Possible Side Effects While Using Ethinyl Estradiol/Norgestrel (Norgestrel):
Call your doctor right away if you notice any of these side effects:

Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing.
Breast changes or lumps.
Chest pain, shortness of breath, or coughing up blood.
Dark-colored urine or pale stools.
Decrease in how much or how often you urinate.
Heavy vaginal bleeding.
Irregular, late, or missed menstrual periods.
Numbness or weakness in your arm or leg, or on one side of your body.
Pain in your lower leg (calf).
Rapid weight gain.
Sudden and severe stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, and lightheadedness.
Sudden or severe headache, problems with vision, speech, or walking.
Swelling in your hands, ankles, or feet.
Yellowing of your skin or the whites of your eyes.

If you notice these less serious side effects, talk with your doctor:

Acne, mild skin rash, or darkened skin on your face.
Breast tenderness, pain, swelling, or discharge.
Changes in appetite.
Contact lens discomfort, or changes in vision.
Hair loss or increased hair growth in areas other than the head.
Mild headache or dizziness.
Mild nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach cramps, or bloated feeling.
Mood changes, depression, nervousness, or trouble sleeping.
Problems having sex.
Vaginal spotting or light bleeding, itching, or discharge.
Weight changes.

If you notice other side effects that you think are caused by Ethinyl Estradiol/Norgestrel (Norgestrel), tell your doctor.
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088