Ortho-Novum

Who is Ortho-Novum for ?

this medication is used to prevent pregnancy or to regulate your menstrual cycle. Oral contraceptive products such as ethinyl estradiol and norethindrone acetate (also called birth control pills) are more effective than any other method of contraception, but they are not effective in preventing the spread of AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases. this medication is sometimes prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

this medication is a combination of an estrogen hormone (ethinyl estradiol) and a progestin hormone (norethindrone acetate). It prevents pregnancy by blocking ovulation and by changing the consistency of the cervical mucus. Changing the consistency of the cervical mucus makes it harder for sperm to travel through the uterus to reach the egg. this medication also adjusts hormone levels that may be contributing to irregular menstrual cycles or acne.

When should I be careful taking Ortho-Novum ?

• Cigarette smoking increases the risk of serious cardiovascular side effects from oral contraceptive use. This risk increases with age, becoming quite marked in women over 35 years old, and is even greater for those who are heavy smokers (15 or more cigarettes per day). Women who use oral contraceptives are strongly advised not to smoke.
• Do not take oral contraceptives if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding. Exposure to estrogen and progestin hormones can potentially harm a developing baby. If you become pregnant while taking oral contraceptives, you should stop taking it and call your doctor immediately.
• Because estrogens appear in breast milk, consult with your doctor before breast-feeding.
• Oral contraceptives slightly increase your risk of strokes, blood clots, high blood pressure, heart attacks, gallbladder disease, and liver tumors. Ask your pharmacist or doctor for a copy of the patient labeling which explains these risks in more detail.
• It may take a long time for you to become pregnant after you stop taking oral contraceptives. Discuss this issue with your doctor.
• this medication may cause a patchy, darkening of the skin on the face (melasma). Higher-strength oral contraceptives are more likely to cause melasma. Sunlight may intensify this darkening and you may need to avoid prolonged sun exposure and sunlamps. Consult your doctor regarding use of sunscreens and protective clothing.
• If you are near-sighted or wear contact lenses, you may develop vision problems while using oral contraceptives. Also, your tolerance for wearing contact lenses may decrease. Contact your eye doctor if these problems occur.
• Before having surgery, including dental surgery, tell the doctor that you are taking an oral contraceptive.
• Discuss any concerns that you may have about the development of endometrial (uterine) or breast cancer with your doctor.

Before taking ethinyl estradiol and norethindrone acetate,

• ask your pharmacist or doctor for a copy of the manufacturer's information for the patient.
• tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to estrogen, progestin, or any other drugs.
• tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications you are taking, especially antibiotics or anti-infectives; anticoagulants (also called "blood thinners") such as warfarin (Coumadin); antimigraine medications or analgesics; benzodiazepines such as diazepam (Valium), lorazepam (Ativan), or oxazepam (Serax); beta-blockers such as atenolol (Tenormin), metoprolol (Lopressor), nadolol (Corgard), propranolol (Inderal), or timolol (Blocadren); carbamazepine (Tegretol); isoniazid; phenobarbital; phenylbutazone; phenytoin (Dilantin); primidone (Mysoline); rifampin; steroids (Decadron, Medrol, Prednisone, others); tranquilizers; and vitamins.
• tell your doctor if you have or have ever had breast lumps or cancer; high blood pressure; high blood cholesterol and fats; diabetes (high blood sugar); asthma; a history of stroke, blood clots, toxemia (high blood pressure during pregnancy), or heart attack; epilepsy (seizures); migraine headaches; a history of depression; liver, heart, gallbladder, or kidney disease; jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes); genital bleeding; and excessive weight gain and fluid retention (bloating) during the menstrual cycle.
• tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding. If you become pregnant while taking an oral contraceptive, call your doctor.
• if you are having surgery, including dental surgery, tell the doctor or dentist that you are taking oral contraceptives.
• tell your doctor and pharmacist if you wear contact lenses.

Side Effects

Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away with time:

• upset stomach
• stomach cramps
• bloating
• diarrhea
• constipation
• gingivitis (swelling of the gum tissue)
• appetite and weight changes
• glucose intolerance (increased blood sugar)
• brown or black skin patches
• acne
• swelling of the hands, feet, or lower legs (fluid retention)
• rash
• hair growth in unusual places
• bleeding or spotting between menstrual periods
• changes in menstrual flow
• painful or missed periods
• breast tenderness, enlargement, or discharge

If you experience any of the following symptoms, call your doctor immediately:

• severe headache
• shortness of breath
• severe vomiting
• partial or complete loss of vision
• speech problems
• dizziness or faintness
• weakness or numbness of an arm or leg
• crushing chest pain or chest heaviness
• coughing up blood
• calf pain
• yellowing of the skin or eyes
• severe mental depression
• unusual bleeding
• loss of appetite