Get Informed: Loestrin
Active Ingredient(s)
Loestrin
What does it do?
This product is used primarily as an oral contraceptive. It contains ethinyl estradiol and norethisterone acetate.
- Last Text Update:
- 2010-Mar-18 3:02 AM
- Last Data Update:
- 2010-Mar-17 9:01 PM
Other Names
- Loestrin FE
- Loestrin
- Femhrt
- Microgestin
- Estrostep
- Loestrin 1.5 / 30
- Loestrin FE 1 / 20
- Loestrin 1 / 20
- Loestrin 1.5 / 30-21
How Safe Is It?
- Your Risk Rating
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- Average Risk Rating
-
- Pregnancy Category:
- X
Black Box Warning
This product has a black box warning relating to the increased risk of serious cardiovascular side effects in women who also smoke.
Facts & Figures
- Date Approved
- 02 Oct 1980
- Est US Patients*
- 519,600
- Generic Available
- No
- OTC Available
- No
User Age Distribution*
< 21
21-39
40-59
60+
Age (Years)
* Estimated number of US people currently taking Loestrin or its active ingredient based on population adjusted patient numbers registered with iGuard.org.
Recent alerts for Loestrin
There have been no iGuard.org alerts regarding Loestrin during the past year.
Loestrin Safety Report
Learn more about iGuard's risk ratings
- Please login or register (it's free) so iGuard can check how Loestrin interacts with other drugs and diseases in your profile.
What is Loestrin used for?
iGuard is currently tracking more than 3,400 patients that use Loestrin (or similar drugs with the same active ingredient(s)). Use the table below to learn why iGuard users take this product; click on any underlined condition to get information on other medications used for treatment.
| Disease / Condition | % | Average Severity |
|---|---|---|
| Birth Control | 52% | 
|
| Irregular/Painful Periods | 38% | 
|
| Menopausal Symptoms | 24% |
|
| Osteoporosis | 10% |
|
| Premenstrual Syndrome | 10% | 
|
How well does Loestrin work?
iGuard regularly polls our more than 3,400 users taking Loestrin (or similar drugs with the same active ingredient(s)) using the Treatment Satisfaction Questionnaire for Medications (TSQM) . This feedback is continuously updated in tables below for the benefit of the iGuard community. To request scores for specific patient subgroups, please contact research@iguard.org.
Average Satisfaction Score
(out of 10)
Average Effectiveness Score
(out of 10)
- 100%
- of patients are confident that the good things about Loestrin outweigh the bad things.
- 0%
- of patients wish they were told more before they started taking Loestrin.
Common Side Effects of Loestrin
iGuard regularly polls our more than 3,400 users taking Loestrin (or similar drugs with the same active ingredient(s)) to monitor the development and frequency of side-effects. This feedback is continuously updated in tables and graphs below for the benefit of the iGuard community.
20% of patients experience side-effects on Loestrin
< 1% of patients experience signifcant side-effects on Loestrin
Most Common Side Effects...
-
Diarrhea
-
Grogginess/Confusion
-
Nausea/Vomiting
-
Breast Tenderness
-
Abdo Pain/Cramps
-
Acne
-
Bleeding
-
= 10%
Global Patient Feedback for Loestrin ( Post a comment )
Question/Comment:
I'm 48, Got put on this bc to regulate period & cut down on heavy flow, but I've had a blood discharge since I've been on the second pack. It's that normal? I do have golfball side cysts on overies which doctor wants me to have surgery to get rid of them. I have no side effects on this bc. Just concerned bout the discharge.
48 year old Female – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2010-02-28 02:04:12
iGuard Answer/Reply:
Breakthrough bleeding is common during the first 3 months of taking birth control pills. If the bleeding or discharge persists, call your doctor because you may need a different combination of hormones. There are many birth control pills with different potencies and ratios of estrogen and progesterone, so a different birth control pill may work better for you. Make sure you report your symptoms to your physician, especially in light of your cysts.
Posted: 2010-03-03 11:50:09
Question/Comment:
i was taking this birth control and i loved it then i switched pharmacys and they gave me junel omg i do NOT recommend that to anyone it got the worst cramps about 2 days before i got my period i got sick but now im back on the microgestin i am so happy but i dont take it at the same time everynight is that bad
18 year old Female – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2009-08-20 19:02:16
Question/Comment:
I have been on Femhrt for about 6 months or more now. I have had no side effects. It definetly helped with the terrible hot flashes!. I evidently am a rare case. I am 62, and seemed to go back into menopause?.The Dr. said it is rare but happens. I did get some bleeding for the first few months,but it leveled off.I say it was worth it!
63 year old Female – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2009-03-19 12:50:35
Question/Comment:
Have been on this medication for 8 years. Have tried other birth control pills before and this is the only one that does not give me any premenstrual symptoms. No bloating, no cramps, no moodiness. I take straight for 3 months and then have my period.
41 year old – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2008-12-25 16:17:36
Question/Comment:
Stick with it, things will eventually regulate.
24 year old Female – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2008-03-10 00:00:00
You may post comments for the benefit of other patients or post questions other patients might be able to answer. Comments are submitted for possible publication on the condition that they may be edited. Only your age and gender will be published with your comment, although your other user details will be securely recorded for verification purposes.
Comments may be either questions or answers to previously posted questions. Any iGuard.org user may post questions and reply.
19
Patient Comments about
Loestrin