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:
- 2009-Nov-20 6:31 PM
- Last Data Update:
- 2009-Nov-20 6:53 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*
- 542,700
- 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 alerts regarding Loestrin during the past year.
Loestrin Safety Report
Learn more about iGuard's risk ratings
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What is Loestrin used for?
iGuard.org is currently tracking more than 3,100 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 | 44% | 
|
| Menopausal Symptoms | 19% |
|
| Premenstrual Syndrome | 13% |
|
| Irregular / Painful Periods | 9% |
|
| Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome | 6% |
|
| Osteoporosis | 3% |
|
| Other | 13% |
|
How well does Loestrin work?
iGuard.org regularly polls our more than 3,100 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)
- 81%
- of patients are confident that the good things about Loestrin outweigh the bad things.
- 9%
- of patients wish they were told more before they started taking Loestrin.
Common Side Effects of Loestrin
iGuard.org regularly polls our more than 3,100 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.
32% of patients experience side-effects on Loestrin
< 1% of patients experience signifcant side-effects on Loestrin
Most Common Side Effects...
-
Mood/Behavior Changes
-
Irregular Periods
-
Weight Gain
-
Breakthrough Bleeding
-
Fatigue
-
Loss of Libido
-
Depression
-
= 10%
Global Patient Feedback for Loestrin ( Post a comment )
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
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
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 Female
Posted: 2008-12-25 16:17:36
Question/Comment:
Stick with it, things will eventually regulate.
24 year old Female
Posted: 2008-03-10 00:00:00
Question/Comment:
I started taking loestrin 4 years ago because my periods were extremely heavy and long. Now my periods are only about three days and light.
46 year old Female
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.
16
Patient Comments about
Loestrin