What is Estarylla: Uses, Warnings & Interactions

Updated May 14, 2025  •  Published Dec 30, 2020

Estarylla is a prescription birth control pill containing an estrogen (ethinyl estradiol) and a progestin (norgestimate). Estarylla is purchased as a 28-day blister pack of 21 active pills and seven inactive pills. Women take each pill in order for 28 days, with the seven inactive pills reserved for the last week. Estarylla, like other birth control pills, is considered safe to take, but there are possible side effects and risks women should be aware of before taking this medication.

Estarylla overview

BRAND NAMES:

  • Estarylla, Femynor, Mili, Mono-Linyah, Nymo, Previfem, Vylibra

Generic Names:

  • Norgestimate-ethinyl estradiol

Uses:

  • Prevents pregnancy

Therapeutic Classes:

  • Hormonal contraceptive, monophasic contraceptive combination

Forms:

  • Tablet

How it’s taken:

  • By mouth

What is Estarylla used for?

Estarylla is an oral contraceptive used by women of reproductive age to prevent pregnancy. Healthcare providers may prescribe it off-label for severe acne, menstrual problems, uterine bleeding, or polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).

What form(s) does Estarylla come in

  • Tablet

    • 0.25 mg norgestimate / 0.035 mg ethinyl estradiol

What are common Estarylla doses?

  • For the prevention of pregnancy: One tablet per day starting on the first day of the menstrual period or the first Sunday following the onset of menstruation.

Common Estarylla prescriptions

  • Estarylla
    1 package (28 tablets), 0.25-35mg-mcg disp pack

  • Estarylla
    28 tablets disp pack

How to take Estarylla

  • Follow the instructions that come with this medicine. They can be found in the Instructions for Use included in the carton.

  • To be effective at preventing pregnancy, Estarylla needs to be taken daily at the same time each day. 

  • Take one tablet per day. Do not miss a dose.

    • There are 21 blue tablets containing active ingredients and seven inert white tablets. Take all tablets including the inert tablets.

    • Take the first tablet (number 1) on the day your period starts or the first Sunday after your period starts.

    • Take tablets at the same time each day.

    • Estarylla tablets can be taken on an empty stomach or with a meal or snack. 

    • Swallow the tablet whole with a drink of water. Do not crush, break, or chew it.

    • Each tablet has a number assigned to it on the blister pack. Take each tablet in order.

    • When the last pill is taken, on the next day take the first blue pill in the next pack.

    • The first pill should be taken on the same day of the week each cycle.

  • Ask the prescriber for special instructions if you’re switching from another birth control pill or contraceptive method. These instructions are also printed in the Instructions for Use insert.

  • If you vomit or have diarrhea 3–4 hours after taking an Estarylla tablet, take a blue pill from the extra blister pack.

    • If you don’t have an extra blister pack, take the next blue pill in the blister pack. Continue through the rest of the blister pack in order.

  • If you vomit for several days in a row after taking Estarylla, contact the doctor. Use additional birth control measures.

  • Store Estarylla at room temperature in the original carton.

What to do if you miss a dose of Estarylla

  • Do not forget to take an Estarylla dose. Missed doses increase the risk of pregnancy.

  • If a blue pill is missed:

    • Take it when remembered. Take the next dose at its regular time.

    • This means you could take two doses in a single day. 

    • A single missed dose doesn’t mean you’ll get pregnant. You don’t have to use backup birth control.

  • If you miss two blue pills in a row in the first two weeks:

    • Take two doses on the day you remember and two doses the next day.

    • Two consecutive missed doses increase the risk of pregnancy. You will need to use backup birth control for at least 7 days.

  • If you miss two blue pills in a row in the third week: 

    • You will have to start over with a new Estarylla kit. 

    • When you start a new blister pack will depend on when you first started the cycle. See the Instructions for Use.

    • You can get pregnant in the first seven days of starting a new kit. Use backup birth control.

  • If you miss three or more blue pills in a row in any week:

    • You will have to start over with a new Estarylla kit. 

    • When you start a new blister pack will depend on when you first started the cycle. See the Instructions for Use.

    • You can get pregnant in the first seven days of starting a new kit. Use backup birth control.

  • If you’re not sure about a missed pill, use backup birth control.  

Estarylla contraindications

  • This medicine is not right for everyone. 

  • Do not use Estarylla if you are:

    • Pregnant

    • Older than 35 and smoke

  • Estarylla is also contraindicated in people with:

    • A history of stroke

    • A history of blood clots

    • Conditions that raise the risk of blood clots such as coronary artery disease, cerebrovascular disease, uncontrolled high blood pressure, certain types of heart valve problems, or diabetes with blood vessel disease

    • Undiagnosed uterine bleeding

    • Liver disease

    • A history of hormone-sensitive breast cancer

    • Certain types of severe migraine headaches in women older than 35 years of age

Estarylla warnings

  • Tell any doctor or other healthcare provider who treats you that you are using this medicine, especially before a medical or dental procedure. Oral contraceptives can interfere with several important blood tests. 

  • Your doctor may need to do lab tests to check on the effects of this medicine. Keep all appointments.

  • Tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant, think you’re pregnant, or if you miss two periods in a row. If you miss two periods in a row, the doctor will need to test for pregnancy.

  • Tell your doctor if you are breastfeeding or have given birth within 4 weeks before you start using this medicine. 

  • Tell the doctor if you smoke. Smoking increases the risk of serious side effects when taking birth control pills.

  • Tell your doctor if you have:

    • Heart or blood vessel disease

    • High blood pressure

    • High cholesterol

    • Diabetes

    • Migraines

    • Depression

    • Allergic reactions that cause face, neck, and throat swelling (angioedema)

  • Tell your doctor about certain pregnancy problems you may have had, including:

    • Jaundice

    • Brown patches on your face (chloasma)

  • This medicine may cause the following problems:

    • Increased risk of blood clots, heart attack, and stroke

    • Increased risk of breast or cervical cancer

    • Liver problems

    • High blood pressure

    • High cholesterol

    • Gallbladder disease

    • Severe or persistent headaches

  • Estarylla should not be used four weeks before or two weeks after major surgery.

  • Some women may experience skin discoloration when using Estarylla. Use sunscreen when you are outdoors. Avoid sunlamps and tanning beds.

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

Estarylla interactions

  • To avoid drug interactions, tell the prescribing healthcare provider about all prescription drugs, over-the-counter medicines, and supplements you are using before taking Estarylla, especially:

  • Barbiturates

  • Macrolide antibiotics

  • Antifungal drugs 

  • Anticonvulsants

  • Blood pressure drugs called calcium channel blockers

  • Antiviral drugs that treat hepatitis C or HIV/AIDS

  • Thyroid hormones

  • St. John’s wort

  • Atorvastatin, colesevelam, cyclosporine, rosuvastatin

  • Tell other healthcare providers you are using this medicine before they prescribe new medications.

  • Estaryalla is never used with any hepatitis C drug that contains ombitasvir/paritaprevir/ritonavir.

  • Avoid grapefruit and grapefruit juice when taking Estarylla.

Estarylla side effects

Serious side effects

Talk to a doctor if you notice any signs or symptoms of a possible serious side effect including:

  • Persistent leg pain

  • Sudden vision changes, sudden loss of vision

  • Numbness or weakness on one side of your body, sudden or severe headache, problems with vision, speech, or walking

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

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

  • Breast lumps, tenderness, pain, swelling, or discharge

  • Stomach pain, nausea, vomiting

  • Depression, worsening depression

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

Some potentially serious side effects of Estarylla may not have symptoms. A healthcare professional will need to schedule regular visits and do blood tests to spot these problems:

  • High blood pressure

  • High cholesterol and fats

Less serious side effects

  • Headache

  • Abdominal pain

  • Vaginal infection

  • Vaginal discharge

  • Breast tenderness

  • Mood changes

  • Gas

  • Nervousness

  • Skin rash

  • Light spotting or bleeding between periods

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