Sign Up for
Email Reminders
- Daily Reminder
- Prescription Reminder
- Physician Appointment Reminder
- About
Loestrin® 24 Fe - Taking Loestrin®
24 Fe Properly - Loestrin® 24 Fe
and Your Period - Loestrin® 24 Fe
Side Effects
How do birth control pills work?
Some birth control pills have 2 hormones: an estrogen and a progestin. These hormones prevent pregnancy mostly by stopping the growth and release of an egg (ovulation).
Some birth control pills have 2 hormones: an estrogen and a progestin. These hormones prevent pregnancy mostly by stopping the growth and release of an egg (ovulation).
Is Loestrin® 24 Fe effective?
When taken properly, Loestrin® 24 Fe is over 99% effective in preventing pregnancy. Loestrin® 24 Fe was studied in women 18 to 45 years old weighing 90 to 250 pounds.
When taken properly, Loestrin® 24 Fe is over 99% effective in preventing pregnancy. Loestrin® 24 Fe was studied in women 18 to 45 years old weighing 90 to 250 pounds.
Who can take Loestrin® 24 Fe?
Loestrin® 24 Fe is a good birth control choice for women who are new to or returning to birth control pills or switching from another birth control pill. It has been studied in women 18 to 45 years old weighing 90 to 250 pounds. So, whoever you are, there is a good chance that Loestrin® 24 Fe is right for you.
Loestrin® 24 Fe is a good birth control choice for women who are new to or returning to birth control pills or switching from another birth control pill. It has been studied in women 18 to 45 years old weighing 90 to 250 pounds. So, whoever you are, there is a good chance that Loestrin® 24 Fe is right for you.
How is Loestrin® 24 Fe different from other pills?
Loestrin® 24 Fe is different from most birth control pills in that you take 24 active pills instead of 21. Because of the hormones in the 3 extra active pills of Loestrin® 24 Fe, your period may last fewer days, and the bleeding may be lighter.
Loestrin® 24 Fe is different from most birth control pills in that you take 24 active pills instead of 21. Because of the hormones in the 3 extra active pills of Loestrin® 24 Fe, your period may last fewer days, and the bleeding may be lighter.
Is it OK to take a low-dose pill like Loestrin® 24 Fe?
Yes. Low-dose birth control pills have been associated with a lower incidence of certain side effects than higher-dose birth control pills. Loestrin® 24 Fe uses the lowest oral dose of estrogen available in a birth control pill (20 micrograms). When taken properly, Loestrin® 24 Fe is over 99% effective in preventing pregnancy.
Yes. Low-dose birth control pills have been associated with a lower incidence of certain side effects than higher-dose birth control pills. Loestrin® 24 Fe uses the lowest oral dose of estrogen available in a birth control pill (20 micrograms). When taken properly, Loestrin® 24 Fe is over 99% effective in preventing pregnancy.
Do I need to take a blood test with Loestrin® 24 Fe?
Some birth control pills require a blood test because they may raise potassium levels in the body, especially when taken with certain daily, long-term medications. With Loestrin® 24 Fe, you do not need to take a blood test.
Some birth control pills require a blood test because they may raise potassium levels in the body, especially when taken with certain daily, long-term medications. With Loestrin® 24 Fe, you do not need to take a blood test.
The Prescribing Information of Loestrin® 24 Fe does not indicate the need for a blood test. A periodic physical examination is appropriate for all women, including women using Loestrin® 24 Fe or other birth control pills.
Does Loestrin® 24 Fe contain gluten?
No. Each white, active tablet contains 1 milligram of norethindrone acetate and 20 micrograms of ethinyl estradiol. Each white, active tablet also contains the following inactive ingredients: acacia, lactose, magnesium stearate, starch, confectioner’s sugar, and talc.
No. Each white, active tablet contains 1 milligram of norethindrone acetate and 20 micrograms of ethinyl estradiol. Each white, active tablet also contains the following inactive ingredients: acacia, lactose, magnesium stearate, starch, confectioner’s sugar, and talc.
When can I start taking Loestrin® 24 Fe?
Choose the day to begin your first pack of Loestrin® 24 Fe. For instance, you may want to avoid having your period on the weekend. Talk with your doctor about which day works best for you. For more information, see the Patient Prescribing Information.
Choose the day to begin your first pack of Loestrin® 24 Fe. For instance, you may want to avoid having your period on the weekend. Talk with your doctor about which day works best for you. For more information, see the Patient Prescribing Information.
Should I take it at a certain time?
Choose a convenient time to take your pill. You should take your pill around the same time every day. For example, take your pill in the morning or evening before brushing your teeth. This helps ensure a steady level of hormones to prevent pregnancy. It also helps prevent breakthrough bleeding or spotting between periods.
Choose a convenient time to take your pill. You should take your pill around the same time every day. For example, take your pill in the morning or evening before brushing your teeth. This helps ensure a steady level of hormones to prevent pregnancy. It also helps prevent breakthrough bleeding or spotting between periods.
What should I expect when I begin taking Loestrin® 24 Fe?
Your body needs time to adjust to any birth control pill.
Your body needs time to adjust to any birth control pill.
You may experience light bleeding or spotting between your monthly periods during the first 1 to 3 pill packs. However, do not stop taking your birth control pills—the light bleeding or spotting will usually go away.
See your doctor if light bleeding or spotting continues after 3 months or if bleeding is persistent or prolonged. What do I do if I miss my pills?
If you MISS 1 white, active pill:
WEEK 1 or WEEK 2 of your pack:
If you MISS 1 white, active pill:
- Take it as soon as you remember. Take the next pill at your regular time. This means
you may take 2 pills in 1 day. - You do not need to use a backup birth control
method if you have sex.
WEEK 1 or WEEK 2 of your pack:
- Take 2 pills on the day you remember and 2
pills the next day. - Then take 1 pill a day until you finish the pack.
- You COULD BECOME PREGNANT if you have sex during the 7 days after you
restart your pills. You MUST use a non-hormonal birth control method (such as
condoms or spermicide) as a backup for those 7 days.
What are the 4 brown pills? Should I take them?
Because Loestrin® 24 Fe has 3 extra active, white pills, it has only 4 inactive, brown pills. The brown pills contain iron. Taking these pills keeps you in the habit of taking your pill every day. They also remind you when it is time to start a new pill pack.
Because Loestrin® 24 Fe has 3 extra active, white pills, it has only 4 inactive, brown pills. The brown pills contain iron. Taking these pills keeps you in the habit of taking your pill every day. They also remind you when it is time to start a new pill pack.
How does Loestrin® 24 Fe shorten my period?
Since you take 3 extra active pills, there is less build up of the uterine lining than with 21-day birth control pills. Less build up means there is less menstrual flow. The result is a short period with less bleeding. *
Since you take 3 extra active pills, there is less build up of the uterine lining than with 21-day birth control pills. Less build up means there is less menstrual flow. The result is a short period with less bleeding. *
How short will my period be?
Everyone’s period is different. Women taking Loestrin® 24 Fe had a period that lasted fewer than 3 days. *
Everyone’s period is different. Women taking Loestrin® 24 Fe had a period that lasted fewer than 3 days. *
Are shorter, lighter periods OK?
Yes. Because of the hormones in the 3 extra white, active pills of Loestrin® 24 Fe, your period may last fewer days, and your uterine lining may not build up as much, so there may be less bleeding. *
Yes. Because of the hormones in the 3 extra white, active pills of Loestrin® 24 Fe, your period may last fewer days, and your uterine lining may not build up as much, so there may be less bleeding. *
Will I get my period on the weekend?
It depends on which day you start your pill pack of Loestrin® 24 Fe. If you want to avoid having your period on the weekend, ask your doctor for advice.
It depends on which day you start your pill pack of Loestrin® 24 Fe. If you want to avoid having your period on the weekend, ask your doctor for advice.
What if I miss my period?
There may be times when you do not menstruate regularly after you take a cycle of pills. If you miss a period, it is usually not a problem if you have taken your pill every day.
If you have taken your pills regularly and miss a period, continue taking your pills for the next cycle, but be sure to tell your doctor.
There may be times when you do not menstruate regularly after you take a cycle of pills. If you miss a period, it is usually not a problem if you have taken your pill every day.
If you have taken your pills regularly and miss a period, continue taking your pills for the next cycle, but be sure to tell your doctor.
What are some common side effects?
All birth control pills have side effects. In a clinical study, some of the most commonly reported side effects of Loestrin® 24 Fe were headache, yeast infection, and upper respiratory tract infection. For more information, see the Patient Prescribing Information.
All birth control pills have side effects. In a clinical study, some of the most commonly reported side effects of Loestrin® 24 Fe were headache, yeast infection, and upper respiratory tract infection. For more information, see the Patient Prescribing Information.
Are there serious side effects?
Serious risks, which can be life threatening, include blood clots, stroke and heart attacks, and are increased if you smoke cigarettes. Cigarette smoking increases the risk of serious cardiovascular side effects, especially if you're over 35. Women who use oral contraceptives should not smoke. For more information, see the Patient Prescribing Information.
Serious risks, which can be life threatening, include blood clots, stroke and heart attacks, and are increased if you smoke cigarettes. Cigarette smoking increases the risk of serious cardiovascular side effects, especially if you're over 35. Women who use oral contraceptives should not smoke. For more information, see the Patient Prescribing Information.
Will I gain weight?
In a clinical trial, on average, women taking Loestrin® 24 Fe did not gain weight.
In a clinical trial, on average, women taking Loestrin® 24 Fe did not gain weight.
*On average, by Cycle 6.
