How does loestrin 30 work

If you have given birth and are not breastfeeding , it may be possible to start taking Loestrin 30 on day 21 after the birth, but check with your doctor. This will protect you from pregnancy immediately so you don't need to use extra contraception. If you start Loestrin 30 more than 21 days after giving birth, use extra contraception for the first seven days of pill taking.

If you're starting Loestrin 30 after a miscarriage or abortion. If you start taking Loestrin 30 up to five days after a miscarriage or abortion you'll be protected against pregnancy straight away. If you start taking it more than five days after the miscarriage or abortion, use extra contraception for the first seven days of pill taking. If you forget to take your pill at your usual time, take it as soon as you remember. A missed pill is one that is 24 hours or more late.

If you miss a pill, follow the instructions below. If you forget to take ONE pill, or start your new pack one day late, take the pill you missed as soon as possible, even if this means taking two pills at the same time. Then continue taking the rest of the pack as normal. You'll still be protected against pregnancy and you don't need to use extra contraception.

If you forget to take TWO or more pills, or start your new pack two or more days late, you won't be protected. Take the last pill you missed as soon as possible, even if this means taking two pills at the same time. Leave out the other missed ones. Then continue to take your pills, one every day, as normal. You should either not have sex, or use an extra barrier method of contraception, eg condoms , for the next seven days.

If the pills you missed were in the last week of your pack, finish the pack as usual but then start a new pack straight away without a break. This means skipping your pill-free week.

If you had unprotected sex in the seven days before you missed pills, you may need to take the morning after pill. Get advice from your doctor, pharmacist or local family planning clinic. If you struggle to remember to start your next pack on time you might find an every day pill like Microgynon 30 ED is better for you.

If you vomit within two hours of taking a pill, you should take another pill as soon as you feel well enough.

Then take your next pill at your usual time. You should still be protected from pregnancy. If you keep vomiting for more than 24 hours, this may make your pill less effective. Keep taking your pill at your normal time, but treat each day that you're sick as if you had forgotten to take a pill and follow the missed pill instructions above. If you have very severe diarrhoea for more than 24 hours, this can also make your pill less effective. Keep taking your pill at your normal time, but treat each day that you have severe diarrhoea as if you had forgotten to take a pill and follow the missed pill instructions above.

Before you start taking Loestrin 30, make sure you tell your doctor or pharmacist if you're already taking any other medicines, because some medicines can make it less effective at preventing pregnancy. For instance, if you regularly take any of the medicines below Loestrin 30 probably won't work for you, so you'll usually need to use a different form of contraception:.

If you're prescribed a short course up to two months of any of these medicines while you're taking Loestrin 30 this can also make it less effective, and your doctor will usually recommend that you temporarily use a different form of contraception. If you want to keep taking Loestrin 30, talk to your doctor about what to do. You'll also need to use an extra method of contraception eg condoms for as long as you take the extra medicine and for at least four weeks after stopping it.

Loestrin 30 is not usually recommended if you're taking the antiepileptic medicine lamotrigine. While you're taking Loestrin 30 it's a good idea to check with your doctor or pharmacist before you take any other new medicines.

Antibiotics other than rifampicin or rifabutin - see above won't make Loestrin 30 less effective, unless they give you diarrhoea or make you sick. If this happens, follow the instructions for diarrhoea and vomiting described above. You should not take Lo Loestrin Fe any earlier than 4 weeks after having a baby, or if you are breastfeeding. If you experience yellowing of the skin or eyes due to problems with your liver, you should stop taking Lo Loestrin Fe.

If you are pre-diabetic or diabetic, your doctor should monitor you while using Lo Loestrin Fe. Your doctor should evaluate you if you have any significant change in headaches or irregular menstrual bleeding. Lo Loestrin Fe increases the risk of serious conditions including blood clots, stroke, and heart attack. These can be life-threatening or lead to permanent disability. Lo Loestrin Fe norethindrone acetate and ethinyl estradiol tablets, ethinyl estradiol tablets and ferrous fumarate tablets is a prescription birth control pill used for the prevention of pregnancy.

Take your pill at the same time every day in the order directed on your pill pack. Always refill and pick up your prescription before you finish your pill pack. Check with your pharmacist for your copay discount. Maximum savings limit applies; patient out-of-pocket expense will vary. Offer not valid for patients enrolled in Medicare, Medicaid, or other federal or state healthcare programs.

Another Birth Control 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. Take 2 pills on the day you remember and 2 pills the next day. Then continue taking 1 pill a day until you finish the pack. Throw out the rest of the pill pack and start a new pack that same day.

You may not have your period this month, but this is expected. However, if you miss your period 2 months in a row, call your healthcare provider because you might be pregnant. You could become pregnant if you have sex on the days when you missed pills or during the first 7 days after restarting your pills.

You MUST use a non-hormonal birth control method such as a condom and spermicide as a backup the next time you have sex and for the first 7 days after you restart your pills. Throw away the pills you missed. Keep taking 1 pill each day until the pack is empty. If you are concerned about side effects, discuss the risks and benefits of this medication with your doctor.

Many of these side effects can be managed, and some may go away on their own over time. Contact your doctor if you experience these side effects and they are severe or bothersome. Your pharmacist may be able to advise you on managing side effects. Although most of the side effects listed below don't happen very often, they could lead to serious problems if you do not check with your doctor or seek medical attention.

Stop taking this medication and seek medical attention immediately if any of the following side effects occur:. Some people may experience side effects other than those listed. Check with your doctor if you notice any symptom that worries you while you are taking this medication. Before you begin using a medication, be sure to inform your doctor of any medical conditions or allergies you may have, any medications you are taking, whether you are pregnant or breast-feeding, and any other significant facts about your health.

These factors may affect how you should use this medication. Breast cancer: Increasing age and a strong family history of breast cancer are the most significant risk factors for the development of breast cancer. Other established risk factors include obesity, not having had children, and a late age at first full-term pregnancy. The identified groups of women that may be at increased risk of developing breast cancer before menopause are women who have used birth control pills for more than 8 years or who started using them at an early age.

For a few women, the use of birth control pills may accelerate the growth of an existing but undiagnosed breast cancer. If you are taking birth control pills, learn how to perform a breast self-examination. Notify your doctor any time you detect a lump. A yearly clinical breast examination is also recommended because, if breast cancer develops, medications that contain estrogen may cause a rapid progression.

Depression: If you have had clinical depression in the past, you may be more likely to experience it again while taking this medication. Diabetes: Current low-dose birth control pills affect glucose control very little. If you have diabetes or a family history of diabetes, monitor your blood glucose closely to detect any worsening of blood sugar control after starting birth control pills. Eyes: Women who are pregnant or who take birth control pills may experience fluid build-up in the cornea of the eye, which may cause visual disturbances and changes in tolerance to contact lenses, especially rigid contact lenses.

Wearers of soft contact lenses usually do not experience difficulties. If you experience visual changes or alterations in tolerance to contact lenses, you may need to stop wearing the lenses temporarily or permanently. Fibroids: If you have fibroids leiomyomata , your doctor should closely monitor your condition. If sudden enlargement, pain, or tenderness occurs, contact your doctor to see if you need to stop taking the medication.

Heart disease: Cigarette smoking increases the risk of serious heart disease and death. Taking birth control pills increases this risk, especially with increasing age. Studies show evidence that women who smoke and are over 35 years old should not use birth control pills. Other women who have a high risk for heart disease include those with diabetes, high blood pressure, or abnormal cholesterol levels, or a family history of any of these conditions.

Whether taking birth control pills increases this risk is unclear. For low-risk, non-smoking women of any age, the benefits of birth control pill use outweigh the possible cardiovascular risks of low-dose pills.

Regular check-ups: You should have a yearly physical examination and follow-up visit with your doctor. Return to fertility: After stopping birth control therapy, you should delay pregnancy until at least one normal menstrual cycle has occurred in order to date the pregnancy. An alternative birth control method e. If you do not menstruate for 6 months or more after stopping birth control pills, notify your doctor.

For protection against these, use latex condoms.