Key facts about Lo Loestrin FE
What is Lo Loestrin FE?
Lo Loestrin FE is the brand name for norethindrone/ethinyl estradiol and ethinyl estradiol/ferrous fumarate and is available as an oral tablet.
What dosages is Lo Loestrin FE available in?
Lo Loestrin FE consists of 28 tablets in the following order:
24 blue tablets (active), each containing 1 mg norethindrone acetate and 10 mcg ethinyl estradiol, 2 white tablets (active), each containing 10 mcg ethinyl estradiol, and 2 brown tablets (non-hormonal placebo), each containing 75 mg ferrous
fumarate.
What is Lo Loestrin FE used for?
- Lo Loestrin FE is an estrogen/progestin combined contraceptive and is used to prevent pregnancy
How does Lo Loestrin FE work?
Lo Loestrin FE is a combination medication that contains two hormones: norethindrone acetate (a progestin) and ethinyl estradiol (an estrogen). These two hormones work together to prevent pregnancy by: Preventing your ovaries from releasing eggs, changing the mucus in your cervix to make it harder for the sperm to enter the uterus (womb), and changing the lining of the uterus so it’s more difficult for a fertilized egg to implant.
How do I take Lo Loestrin FE?
Lo Loestrin FE contains 26 active tablets and they contain different dosages of norethindrone acetate and ethinyl estradiol:
- Day 1 through 24: 1 mg norethindrone acetate and 10 mcg ethinyl estradiol
- Day 25 through 26: 10 mcg ethinyl estradiol only
- Day 27 through 28: 75 mg of ferrous fumarate only
- The typical dose is to take 1 active tablet by mouth daily for 26 days, followed by 1 placebo tablet daily for the remaining 2 days
Is it safe for me to take Lo Loestrin FE?
Lo Loestrin FE 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 if you have any of the following:
A high risk of arterial or venous thrombotic diseases.
- Breast cancer
- Liver tumors or liver disease
- Undiagnosed abnormal uterine bleeding
- Co-administration with Hepatitis C drug combinations containing ombitasvir/paritaprevir/ritonavir, with or without dasabuvir
Lo Loestrin FE Common Side Effects
Common side effects of Lo Loestrin FE:
- Nausea / vomiting
- Headache
- Irregular bleeding
- Menstrual cramps
- Weight changes
- Breast tenderness
Lo Loestrin FE Serious Side Effects
Serious side effects are rare with Lo Loestrin FE. 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
- Serious liver problems: yellowing of the skin or the whites of the eyes, tiredness, stomach pain
Effects of other drugs, drug classes and over-the-counter products on Lo Loestrin FE
The following medications may interact with Lo Loestrin FE:
- Drugs or herbal products that induce certain enzymes, including
- CYP3A4, may decrease the effectiveness of COCs or increase breakthrough bleeding. Counsel patients to use a back-up method or alternative method of contraception when enzyme inducers are used with COCs
Who makes Lo Loestrin FE?
Allergan
Is Lo Loestrin FE safe in pregnancy?
There is no use for contraception in pregnancy. Therefore, Lo Loestrin FE should be discontinued during pregnancy.
