NORGESTIMATE

COMMON BRAND NAME(S): None

GENERIC NAME(S): NORGESTIMATE-ETHINYL ESTRADIOL

 

Description: Norgestimate is a progestogen that is commonly used as the progestogenic component in combined oral contraceptives and menopausal HRT.

Pharmacokinetics:

Absorption: Largely metabolised in the GI/liver during 1st pass effect; its main active metabolite, 17-deacetylnorgestimate, reaches Cmax at approximately 2 hr after dose.

Distribution: Protein binding of 17-deacetylnorgestimate: Approximately 99%.

Excretion: Half-life of 17-deacetylnorgestimate: About 37 hr. Norgestimate metabolites are excreted via urine and faeces.

  • Used to
    • Prevent pregnancy that works mainly by preventing the release of an egg (ovulation) during your menstrual cycle. It also makes vaginal fluid thicker to help prevent sperm from reaching an egg (fertilization) and changes the lining of the uterus (womb) to prevent attachment of a fertilized egg.

 

  • May make your periods more regular, decrease blood loss and painful periods, decrease your risk of ovarian cysts, and also treat acne

 

  • Does not protect you or your partner against sexually transmitted diseases (such as HIV, gonorrhea, chlamydia).

 

How to use norgestimate-ethinyl estradiol

  • Always refer to your doctors instructions before taking this medication. Duration and dosage will be determined by your medical condition and its response to the medication. Make sure to take this mediciation in the prescribed amount and time period even after symptoms disappear. Discontinuing the medication before completion of treatment may cause incomplete treatment of condition. If Symptoms persist, consult your doctor

 

  • Taken by mouth; With or without food; usually once a day or as directed by your physician;
  • The amount of estrogen and progestin in each active tablet will vary at different times in the cycle. Therefore, it is vital that you follow the package instructions to find the first tablet, start with the first tablet in the pack, and take them in the correct order. Do not skip any doses. Pregnancy is more likely if you miss pills, start a new pack late, or take your pill at a different time of the day than usual.

 

  • No matter what dosing schedule you use, it is very important that you take this medication at the same time each day, 24 hours apart. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions.

 

 

  • Your pill pack contains 21 pills with active medication. It may also contain 7 reminder pills with no medication. Take one active pill (with hormones) once daily for 21 days in a row. If you are using a product with 28 tablets, take an inactive pill once daily for 7 days in a row after you have taken the last active pill unless otherwise directed by your doctor. If you are using a product with 21 tablets, do not take any tablets for 7 days unless otherwise directed by your doctor. You should have your period during the fourth week of the cycle. After you have taken the last inactive tablet in the pack or gone 7 days without taking an active tablet, start a new pack the next day whether or not you have your period. If you do not get your period, consult your doctor.

 

If this is the first time you are using this medication and you are not switching from another form of hormonal birth control (such as patch, other birth control pills), take the first tablet in the pack on the first Sunday following the beginning of your menstrual period or on the first day of your period. If your period begins on a Sunday, begin taking this medication on that day. For the first cycle of use only, use an additional form of non-hormonal birth control (such as condoms, spermicide) for the first 7 days to prevent pregnancy until the medication has enough time to work. If you start on the first day of your period, you do not need to use back-up birth control the first week.

  • Do not use this medication if you smoke cigarettes/use tobacco and are over 35 years old. Smoking raises your risk of stroke, heart attack, blood clots, and high blood pressure from hormonal birth control (such as the pill, patch, ring). The risk of these serious problems increases with age and with the number of cigarettes you smoke. Do not smoke or use tobacco.
    • Minor side effects (if these symptoms persist or worsen, inform your doctor)
      • Nausea, vomiting, headache, bloating, breast tenderness, swelling of the ankles/feet (fluid retention), or weight change may occur. Vaginal bleeding between periods (spotting) or missed/irregular periods may occur, especially during the first few months of use.
      • If you miss 2 periods in a row (or 1 period if the pill has not been used properly), contact your doctor for a pregnancy test.

     

    • Serious side effects (inform your doctor immediately)
      • lumps in the breast, mental/mood changes (such as new/worsening depression), severe stomach/abdominal pain, unusual changes in vaginal bleeding (such as continuous spotting, sudden heavy bleeding, missed periods), dark urine, yellowing eyes/skin
      • May rarely cause serious (sometimes fatal) problems from blood clots (such as deep vein thrombosis, heart attack, pulmonary embolism, stroke)
        • chest/jaw/left arm pain, confusion, sudden dizziness/fainting, pain/swelling/warmth in the groin/calf, slurred speech, sudden shortness of breath/rapid breathing, unusual headaches (including headaches with vision changes/lack of coordination, worsening of migraines, sudden/very severe headaches), unusual sweating, weakness on one side of the body, vision problems/changes (such as double vision, partial/complete blindness).

     

    • Severe allergic reactions are rare. Get immediate medical help if you notice the following:

    Rash, itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), severe dizziness, trouble breathing

    • Precautions: 
      • Inform your doctor
        • Allergy to to any estrogens (such as ethinyl estradiol, mestranol) or any progestins (such as norethindrone, desogestrel) or any allergies
        • Medical History ofblood clots (for example, in the legs, eyes, lungs), blood clotting disorders (such as protein C or protein S deficiency), high blood pressure, abnormal breast exam, cancer (especially endometrial or breast cancer), high cholesterol or triglyceride (blood fat) levels, depression, diabetes, family medical history (especially angioedema), gallbladder problems, severe headaches/migraines, heart problems (such as heart valve disease, irregular heartbeat, previous heart attack), history of yellowing eyes/skin (jaundice) during pregnancy or while using hormonal birth control (such as pills, patch), kidney disease, liver disease (including tumors), stroke, swelling (edema), thyroid problems, unexplained vaginal bleeding

       

      • this medication may make it harder to control your blood sugar levels. Check your blood sugar levels regularly as directed and share the results with your doctor

       

      • Inform your doctor if you just had or will be having surgery or if you will be confined to a bed or chair for a long time (such as a long plane flight). These conditions increase your risk of getting blood clots, especially if you are using hormonal birth control. You may need to stop this medication for a time or take special precautions.
      • May cause blotchy, dark areas on your skin (melasma). Sunlight may worsen this effect. Avoid prolonged sun exposure, sunlamps, and tanning booths. Use a sunscreen, and wear protective clothing when outdoors.

       

      • If you are nearsighted or wear contact lenses, you may develop vision problems or trouble wearing your contact lenses. Contact your eye doctor if these problems occur.
      • It may take longer for you to become pregnant after you stop taking birth control pills. Consult your doctor.

       

      • Must not be used during pregnancy. If you become pregnant or think you may be pregnant, tell your doctor immediately. If you have just given birth or had a pregnancy loss/abortion after the first 3 months, talk with your doctor about reliable forms of birth control, and find out when it is safe to start using birth control that contains a form of estrogen, such as this medication.
      • This medication may decrease breast milk production. A small amount passes into breast milk and may have undesirable effects on a nursing infant. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.

       

      Interactions:

      Taking multiple drugs may affect how medications work and/or cause unwanted side effects. List down all the medications you are taking and inform your physician and pharmacist. Do not take, discontinue, or alter any dose of medications without prior approval of your physician.

       

      • Products that may interact with this medication include:
        • aromatase inhibitors (such as anastrozole, exemestane), ospemifene, tamoxifen, tizanidine, tranexamic acid, a certain combination product used to treat chronic hepatitic C (ombitasvir/paritaprevir/ritonavir/dasabuvir).
        • May caused medication to not work so well

      griseofulvin, modafinil, rifamycins (such as rifampin, rifabutin), St. John’s wort, drugs used to treat seizures (such as barbiturates, carbamazepine, felbamate, phenytoin, primidone, topiramate), HIV drugs (such as nelfinavir, nevirapine, ritonavir), among others.

    • Overdose: If overdose is suspected, contact a poison control center or emergency room immediately.

       

      Missed Dose

      Refer to the product package information for advice on missed doses.

      Storage

      • Room temperature
      • Do not expose to light and moisture
      • Do not store in the bathroom
      • Keep all medications away from pets and children

       

      Brands:

       

      (No Available Brands)

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