What is Elinest: Uses, Warnings & Interactions

Updated May 14, 2025  •  Published Dec 30, 2020

Elinest overview

BRAND NAMES:

  • Cryselle, Elinest, Low-Ogestrel 28, Ogestrel-28, Ogestrel-28, Ovral-21

Generic Names:

  • Elinest

Uses:

  • Prevents pregnancy.

Therapeutic Classes:

  • Contraceptive

Forms:

  • Tablet

How it’s taken:

  • By mouth

What is Elinest used for?

Elinest is an oral contraceptive used to prevent pregnancy. It is also used to treat acne, endometriosis and other conditions as prescribed by your doctor. Elinest works by preventing ovulation from occurring. It also changes the uterus lining to prevent sperms and fertilized eggs from reaching the uterus. This medication does not protect against sexually transmitted diseases. It is indicated for use by women and is available as a tablet.

What form(s) does Elinest come in

  • Tablet

What are common Elinest doses?

  • Disp Pack 28 Tablets

Common Elinest prescriptions

  • Elinest
    1 package (28 tablets), 0.3-30mg-mcg disp pack

How to take Elinest

  • Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light.

  • Your doctor will tell you how much medicine to use. Do not use more than directed.

  • Read and follow the patient instructions that come with this medicine. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions.

  • Carefully follow your doctor's instructions about when to start taking your medicine. You may begin taking the pills on the first day of your menstrual period, or on the first Sunday after your period begins.

  • You should also use a second form of birth control (including condoms, diaphragms, or contraceptive foams and jellies) when you first start using this medicine.

  • Take your pill at the same time every day. Birth control pills work best when there is no more than 24 hours between doses.

  • Missed dose: If you miss one white pill, take it as soon as you can. Then take your next pill at the regular time. This means, you may take two pills in one day. Use a second form of birth control until you have been taking white pills for seven days in a row.If you miss two white pills in a row during Week 1 or 2, take two pills as soon as you can. Take two more pills on the next day. Then go back to your regular schedule of taking one pill every day. Use a second form of birth control until you have been taking white pills for seven days in a row.If you started this medicine on Day 1 of your period and you miss two white pills in a row during Week 3, throw out the rest of your pills and start a new pack the same day. If you miss three or more white pills in a row during any week, throw out the rest of your pills and start a new pack the same day. Use a second form of birth control until you have been taking white pills for seven days in a row.If you started this medicine on the Sunday after your period started and you miss two white pills in a row during Week 3, keep taking one pill every day until the next Sunday. Then throw away the rest of your pills and start a new pack on that same Sunday. Use a second form of birth control until you have been taking white pills for seven days in a row.If you started this medicine on the Sunday after your period started and you miss three or more white pills in a row during any week, keep taking one pill every day until the next Sunday. Then throw away the rest of your pills and start a new pack on that same Sunday. Use a second form of birth control until you have been taking white pills for seven days in a row.If you miss your pills and change your schedule, you may not have a period for that month. Make sure your doctor knows if you miss your period two months in a row, because you may be pregnant.You could have light bleeding or spotting any time you do not take a pill on time. The more pills you miss, the more likely you are to have bleeding.

  • Missed dose: If you miss one white pill, take it as soon as you can. Then take your next pill at the regular time. This means, you may take two pills in one day. Use a second form of birth control until you have been taking white pills for seven days in a row.If you miss two white pills in a row during Week 1 or 2, take two pills as soon as you can. Take two more pills on the next day. Then go back to your regular schedule of taking one pill every day. Use a second form of birth control until you have been taking white pills for seven days in a row.If you started this medicine on Day 1 of your period and you miss two white pills in a row during Week 3, throw out the rest of your pills and start a new pack the same day. If you miss three or more white pills in a row during any week, throw out the rest of your pills and start a new pack the same day. Use a second form of birth control until you have been taking white pills for seven days in a row.If you started this medicine on the Sunday after your period started and you miss two white pills in a row during Week 3, keep taking one pill every day until the next Sunday. Then throw away the rest of your pills and start a new pack on that same Sunday. Use a second form of birth control until you have been taking white pills for seven days in a row.If you started this medicine on the Sunday after your period started and you miss three or more white pills in a row during any week, keep taking one pill every day until the next Sunday. Then throw away the rest of your pills and start a new pack on that same Sunday. Use a second form of birth control until you have been taking white pills for seven days in a row.If you miss your pills and change your schedule, you may not have a period for that month. Make sure your doctor knows if you miss your period two months in a row, because you may be pregnant.You could have light bleeding or spotting any time you do not take a pill on time. The more pills you miss, the more likely you are to have bleeding.

  • Take your pill at the same time every day. Birth control pills work best when there is no more than 24 hours between doses.

  • You should also use a second form of birth control (including condoms, diaphragms, or contraceptive foams and jellies) when you first start using this medicine.

  • Your doctor will tell you how much medicine to use. Do not use more than directed.

  • Read and follow the patient instructions that come with this medicine. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions.

  • Carefully follow your doctor's instructions about when to start taking your medicine. You may begin taking the pills on the first day of your menstrual period, or on the first Sunday after your period begins.

  • Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light.

  • You could have light bleeding or spotting any time you do not take a pill on time. The more pills you miss, the more likely you are to have bleeding.

What to do if you miss a dose of Elinest

  • If you started this medicine on the Sunday after your period started and you miss two white pills in a row during Week 3, keep taking one pill every day until the next Sunday. Then throw away the rest of your pills and start a new pack on that same Sunday. Use a second form of birth control until you have been taking white pills for seven days in a row.

  • You could have light bleeding or spotting any time you do not take a pill on time. The more pills you miss, the more likely you are to have bleeding.

  • If you started this medicine on Day 1 of your period and you miss two white pills in a row during Week 3, throw out the rest of your pills and start a new pack the same day. If you miss three or more white pills in a row during any week, throw out the rest of your pills and start a new pack the same day. Use a second form of birth control until you have been taking white pills for seven days in a row.

  • If you miss your pills and change your schedule, you may not have a period for that month. Make sure your doctor knows if you miss your period two months in a row, because you may be pregnant.

  • If you started this medicine on the Sunday after your period started and you miss three or more white pills in a row during any week, keep taking one pill every day until the next Sunday. Then throw away the rest of your pills and start a new pack on that same Sunday. Use a second form of birth control until you have been taking white pills for seven days in a row.

  • This medicine has specific patient instructions on what to do if you miss a dose. Read and follow these instructions carefully, and call your doctor if you have any questions.

  • If you miss one white pill, take it as soon as you can. Then take your next pill at the regular time. This means you may take two pills in one day. Use a second form of birth control until you have been taking white pills for seven days in a row.

  • If you miss two white pills in a row during Week 1 or 2, take two pills as soon as you can. Take two more pills on the next day. Then go back to your regular schedule of taking one pill every day. Use a second form of birth control until you have been taking white pills for seven days in a row.

Elinest contraindications

  • This medicine is not right for everyone. Do not use it if you had an allergic reaction to ethinyl estradiol or norgestrel, or if you are pregnant. Do not use it if you have active liver disease or liver cancer, breast cancer, cancer of the uterus, a blood vessel disorder, heart disease, high blood pressure that is not controlled, or a history of blood clots, heart attacks, or strokes. Do not use this medicine if you have unusual vaginal bleeding, or certain types of headaches. Do not use this medicine if you have ever had jaundice (yellow eyes or skin) caused by pregnancy or birth control pills, or if you are having a surgery that requires bedrest for a long time.

Elinest warnings

  • It is not safe to take this medicine during pregnancy. It could harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant.

  • Tell your doctor if you are breastfeeding, or if you have high blood pressure, high cholesterol in the blood, diabetes, breast lumps, or a history of depression, epilepsy, gallbladder disease, heart disease, kidney disease, or irregular monthly periods. Tell your doctor if you smoke or wear contact lenses.

  • This medicine may cause the following problems:Increased risk of heart attack, stroke, or blood clotsIncreased risk of cancer (including cancer of the breast, endometrium, ovaries, and cervix)Liver problemsEye or vision problemsGallbladder diseaseHigh cholesterol in the bloodHigh blood pressureIncreased risk of ectopic pregnancy (pregnancy outside the uterus)

  • This medicine will not protect you from getting HIV/AIDS or other sexually transmitted diseases.

  • You might have some light bleeding or spotting when you first start using this medicine. This is usually normal and should not last long. However, if you have heavy bleeding or the bleeding lasts more than a few days in a row, call your doctor.

  • If you miss two periods in a row, call your doctor for a pregnancy test before you take any more pills.

  • Tell any doctor or dentist who treats you that you are using this medicine. You may need to stop using this medicine several days before you have surgery or medical tests.

  • Tell any doctor or dentist who treats you that you are using this medicine. This medicine may affect certain medical test results.

  • Your doctor will check your progress and the effects of this medicine at regular visits. Keep all appointments.

  • Keep all medicine out of the reach of children. Never share your medicine with anyone.

  • Your doctor will check your progress and the effects of this medicine at regular visits. Keep all appointments.

  • Sudden or severe headache, problems with vision, speech, or walking.

  • Swelling in your hands, ankles, or feet.

  • Yellowing of your skin or the whites of your eyes.

Elinest interactions

  • This medicine will not protect you from getting HIV/AIDS or other sexually transmitted diseases. If this is a concern for you, talk with your doctor.

  • You might have some light bleeding or spotting when you first start using this medicine. This is usually normal and should not last long. However, if you have heavy bleeding or the bleeding lasts more than a few days in a row, call your doctor.

  • If you miss two periods in a row, call your doctor for a pregnancy test before you take any more pills.

  • If you wear contact lenses and you have vision problems or eye discomfort, check with your eye doctor.

  • Tell any doctor or dentist who treats you that you are using this medicine. You may need to stop using this medicine several days before you have surgery or medical tests.

  • Tell any doctor or dentist who treats you that you are using this medicine. This medicine may affect certain medical test results.

  • Your doctor will check your progress and the effects of this medicine at regular visits. Keep all appointments.

  • Do not use this medicine together with medicine to treat hepatitis C virus infection, including ombitasvir/paritaprevir/ritonavir, with or without dasabuvir.

  • Some medicines can affect how ethinyl estradiol/norgestrel works. Tell your doctor if you are using any of the following:Acetaminophen, ascorbic acid, cyclosporine, modafinil, morphine, phenylbutazone, salicylic acid, St John's wort, temazepam, theophyllineMedicine to lower cholesterol (including atorvastatin, clofibric acid)Medicine to treat an infection (including ampicillin, griseofulvin, itraconazole, ketoconazole, rifabutin, rifampin, tetracycline, troleandomycin)Medicine to treat HIV/AIDS (including indinavir, ritonavir)Medicine to treat seizures (including carbamazepine, felbamate, oxcarbazepine, phenobarbital, phenytoin, primidone, topiramate)Steroid medicine (including dexamethasone, prednisolone)

  • This medicine may also increase your risk of certain types of cancer. Talk to your doctor if you have concerns about this risk.

  • Make sure you doctor knows if you are also using medicine to treat HIV or AIDS (such as indinavir, ritonavir, Crixivan®, Norvir®), medicine to treat a fungus infection (such as fluconazole, itraconazole, ketoconazole, Diflucan®, Nizoral®, Sporanox®), or medicine to lower cholesterol (such as atorvastatin, clofibric acid, Lipitor®).

Elinest side effects

Serious Side Effects

  • Swelling in your hands, ankles, or feet.

  • Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing

  • Breast changes or lumps

  • Change in how much or how often you urinate

  • Chest pain or tightness, trouble breathing, coughing up blood

  • Dark urine, pale stools, loss of appetite, yellow skin or eyes

  • Heavy vaginal bleeding

  • Irregular, late, or missed menstrual periods

  • Numbness or weakness in your arm or leg, or on one side of your body

  • Pain in your lower leg (calf)

  • Rapid weight gain, swelling in your hands, ankles, or feet

  • Sudden and severe stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, lightheadedness

  • Sudden or severe headache, problems with vision, speech, or walking

  • Yellowing of your skin or the whites of your eyes.

Less Serious Side Effects

  • Breast tenderness, pain, swelling, or discharge

  • Mood changes, depression, nervousness, trouble sleeping

  • Weight changes.

  • Hair loss or increased hair growth in areas other than the head

  • Contact lens discomfort changes in vision

  • Mild nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach cramps, bloated feeling

  • Acne, mild skin rash, or darkened skin on your face

  • Changes in appetite

  • Vaginal spotting or light bleeding, itching, or discharge.

  • Mild headache, dizziness

  • Vaginal spotting or light bleeding, itching, discharge