- Junel™ (made by Barr Pharmaceuticals, Inc.)
- Microgestin® (made by Watson Pharmaceuticals, Inc.).
Loestrin is not the same as
Loestrin Fe® or Loestrin
® 24 Fe. The information in this article does not apply to either of these medications.
Loestrin is made by Duramed Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Generic versions of the drug are made by various manufacturers
(see Generic Loestrin for more information).
Loestrin is a combined oral contraceptive, the most common type of birth control pill. It is a combined oral contraceptive because it contains a combination of two different types of hormones. It contains both an estrogen (ethinyl estradiol) and a progestin (norethindrone). The hormones in Loestrin prevent pregnancy primarily by stopping ovulation (the maturation and release of eggs from the ovaries).
Loestrin also works to prevent pregnancy in two other, less important ways. It changes the cervical mucus (the fluid of the cervix, which is the lower, narrow part of the uterus that is connected to the vagina), making it more difficult for sperm to enter the uterus. It also alters the lining of the uterus (the endometrium), making it less receptive to an embryo.
Unlike most birth control pills, Loestrin comes in packs with 21 tablets. It is meant to be taken every day for 21 days, followed by 7 days in between packs. Most other birth control pills have 28 tablets in each pack, but the last 7 contain no active ingredients. Either way, you get 21 days of active hormones, followed by a seven-day, hormone-free break.
When and How to Use Loestrin
General considerations for when and how to use the medication include the following:
- Loestrin comes in tablet form. It is taken by mouth once a day.
- Each pack of Loestrin contains 21 pills. Be sure to take them in order. Once you finish a pack, wait seven days before starting the next pack. You will probably start your period during this week, but be sure to start the next pack on schedule, no matter when your period starts.
- You can take it with or without food. If the medication bothers your stomach, try taking it with food.
- It is important that you take it every day and at the same time each day. Try to pick a time that will be easy to remember, such as at bedtime or breakfast. If you have trouble remembering, please talk with your healthcare provider, as missing pills increases your risk of pregnancy.
- Make sure you know exactly what to do if you miss any pills. In some circumstances, you may need to use a backup method of contraception, such as condoms, for a week.
- For the medication to work properly, it must be taken as prescribed. Loestrin will not work if you stop taking it.
There is only one standard dose of Loestrin, regardless of your age, weight, or medical conditions. As with any medication, do not adjust your dose unless your healthcare provider specifically instructs you to do so.
As with any medicine, side effects are possible with Loestrin. However, not everyone who uses the contraceptive will experience side effects. In fact, most people tolerate it quite well. If side effects do occur, in most cases, they are minor and either require no treatment or can easily be treated by you or your healthcare provider. Serious side effects are less common.
- Breakthrough bleeding or spotting between periods
- Acne
- Nausea (with or without vomiting)
- Breast tenderness
- Headaches.
(Click Loestrin Side Effects to learn more, including potentially serious side effects that you should report immediately to your healthcare provider.)
Drug Interactions With Loestrin
What Should I Tell My Healthcare Provider?
You should talk with your healthcare provider prior to using Loestrin if you have:
Also, let your healthcare provider know if you are:
Make sure to tell your healthcare provider about all other medicines you are taking, including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.
What If I Take an Overdose of Loestrin?
Women who take too much Loestrin may experience the following symptoms:
- Nausea and vomiting
- Vaginal bleeding
- Other menstrual irregularities.
Keep Loestrin tablets in their original package. The packaging is designed to help you remember to take the tablets each day. Keep the package at room temperature, away from moisture and heat.
Keep Loestrin and all other medications out of the reach of children.
What If I Miss a Dose of Loestrin?
Missing doses of Loestrin increases the risk of pregnancy. What you should do depends on how many tablets you have missed and where exactly you are in your cycle
(see Loestrin Dosage). Refer to the patient information that comes with each pack of pills, or consult your healthcare provider if you are not sure what to do.
Loestrin comes in two different strengths:
- Loestrin 1/20 -- Contains 21 tablets in each pack, with 1 mg of norethindrone and 0.02 mg (20 mcg) of ethinyl estradiol per tablet
- Loestrin 1.5/30 -- Contains 21 tablets in each pack, with 1.4 mg of norethindrone and 0.03 mg (30 mcg) of ethinyl estradiol per tablet.
