Save up to 90% on Ethinyl Estradiol with Coupons, Discount Cards & Patient Assistance Programs

Ethinyl Estradiol is available as oral tablets that contain 24 light pink tablets, each containing 3 mg drospirenone (DRSP) and 0.02 mg Ethinyl Estradiol and 4 white inert tablets.

Ethinyl Estradiol is a progestin and estrogen combination used for:

• Prevention of pregnancy
• Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD)
• Acne (in females 14 years and older who’ve already started their periods)

Ethinyl Estradiol is a combination oral contraceptive (COC) that contains 2 hormones: drospirenone (a progestin) and Ethinyl Estradiol (an estrogen). Both hormones work together to prevent pregnancy by:

• Suppressing ovulation (release of an egg from the ovary)
• Changing cervical mucus to block sperm movement
• Creating an unfriendly environment for the fertilized egg by changing the lining in the uterus (womb)
• Ethinyl Estradiol also helps with acne by lowering the amount of testosterone in your body. This leads to less oil production and clogging of the pores of the skin, which helps prevent acne.

Ethinyl Estradiol comes as a pre-packaged course (28 days) of medication. There are 24 active tablets and they each contain 3 mg drospirenone and 20 mcg Ethinyl Estradiol. There are 4 placebo tablets and they don’t contain any active medication. The typical dose is to take 1 active tablet by mouth daily for 24 days, followed by 1 placebo tablet daily for the remaining 4 days. The tablets must be taken in order as shown on the medication packaging.

Ethinyl Estradiol is a safe and effective treatment when used for FDA licensed indications. However, like all medications, they may give you unwanted side effects. You should always discuss potential side effects with your physician to ensure the medication is suitable and right for you. You should not use this medication in the following:

• Renal impairment
• Adrenal insufficiency
• A high risk of arterial or venous thrombotic diseases
  Undiagnosed abnormal uterine bleeding
• Breast cancer or other estrogen- or progestin-sensitive cancer
• Liver tumors or liver disease
• Pregnancy

Common side effects of Ethinyl Estradiol:

• Heavy/irregular vaginal bleeding
• Nausea/vomiting
• Headache/migraine
• Breast pain/tenderness

Serious side effects are rare with Ethinyl Estradiol. Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience any of the following.

• Heart attack: chest pain, stomach discomfort, sweating, nausea, dizziness
• Stroke: sudden numbness or weakness in the arm, leg, or face, confusion, trouble seeing, headache, difficulty walking
• Deep vein thrombosis (blood clot in the leg): leg cramp, swelling, pain, muscle tightness
• Pulmonary embolism (blood clot in the lung): cough, chest pain, trouble breathing, racing heart
• Liver problems: yellowing of the skin or the whites of the eyes, tiredness, stomach pain

The following medications may interact with Ethinyl Estradiol:

• Drugs or herbal products that induce certain enzymes (for example, CYP3A4) may decrease the effectiveness of COCs or increase breakthrough bleeding
• Counsel patients to use a back-up or alternative method of contraception when enzyme inducers are used with COCs

Various FDA-approved generic manufacturers

Ethinyl Estradiol should not be used during pregnancy. Inform your doctor immediately if you become pregnant while taking Ethinyl Estradiol.

• Yaz