Ogestrel Side Effects

Serious side effects of Ogestrel may be more likely because it contains a higher dose of estrogen. Notify your healthcare provider right away if you develop any of these serious side effects, such as chest pain, vision changes, or migraines. The drug can also cause symptoms that are merely bothersome (such as nausea and headaches), and these Ogestrel side effects typically improve with time.

 

An Introduction to Ogestrel Side Effects

As with any medicine, Ogestrel® (norgestrel/ethinyl estradiol) can cause side effects. However, not every woman who uses it 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 are easily treated by you or your healthcare provider. Many of the common side effects of Ogestrel may improve within the first few cycles of use.
 

Ogestrel Side Effects to Report

Some side effects with Ogestrel, while occurring infrequently, are potentially serious and should be reported to your healthcare provider right away. Ogestrel contains a high dose of estrogen. As a result, it may have a higher risk of many of the serious side effects of birth control pills. These side effects include but are not limited to:
 
  • Signs of a blood clot in the leg, such as:
 
    • Pain in the calf
    • Leg cramps
    • Leg or foot swelling
 
  • Signs of a blood clot in the lung, such as:
 
    • Shortness of breath
    • Sharp chest pain
    • Coughing up blood
 
 
    • Vision or speech changes
    • Weakness or numbness in an arm or leg
    • Severe headache
 
  • Signs of liver damage, such as:
 
    • Yellowing of the whites of the eyes or skin (jaundice)
    • Dark urine
    • Upper-right abdominal pain (stomach pain)
 
  • Depression or other emotional changes
  • Chest pain or heaviness, which may be signs of a heart attack
  • Rapid weight gain or swelling in the hands or feet, which may be a sign of severe fluid retention
  • High cholesterol
  • Migraines (or changes in your migraines, if you have had them before)
  • Breast lumps
  • Signs of an allergic reaction, such as:
 
    • An unexplained rash
    • Hives
    • Itching
    • Unexplained swelling
    • Wheezing
    • Difficulty breathing or swallowing.
 
(Ogestrel Side Effects Continued: Page 2)
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Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD;