Nordette Side Effects

Nausea, breakthrough bleeding, and bloating are some of the most common side effects reported with birth control pills like Nordette. Side effects are merely bothersome in most cases (and usually not dangerous), but some may require immediate medical attention. Contact your healthcare provider right away if you develop any serious Nordette side effects, such as heavy spotting, high cholesterol, or chest pain.

 

An Introduction to Nordette Side Effects

As with any medicine, side effects are possible with Nordette® (levonorgestrel/ethinyl estradiol); however, not all women who use the contraceptive will experience side effects. In fact, most women 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.
 
(This article covers many, but not all, of the possible side effects with Nordette. Your healthcare provider can discuss a more complete list of Nordette side effects with you. Nordette is equivalent to Levora® and Portia® birth control pills. The information in this article also applies to both of these medications.)
 

Nordette Clinical Studies

Medications must undergo clinical studies before they are approved in the United States. With the clinical studies for most medications, one group of people is given the actual medication, while another group is given a placebo (a "sugar pill" with no active ingredients). The people are not told if they were given the real medication or the placebo. The side effects in both groups are carefully documented and compared. This way, it is possible to see what side effects occur, how often they appear, and whether they are actual side effects of the medication. However, it is not possible to use a placebo in clinical trials for contraceptives, since this would lead to many unintentional pregnancies.
 
(Nordette Side Effects Continued: Page 2)
Add this article to your Favorites     Email this article     Print
Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD;