What is Hailey Fe: Uses, Warnings & Interactions

Updated May 14, 2025  •  Published Dec 30, 2020

Hailey 24 Fe is a prescription combination birth control pill containing norethindrone acetate, a progestin, and ethinyl estradiol, an estrogen. The inactive tablets contain ferrous fumarate as a daily iron supplement to prevent iron depletion at the end of the menstrual cycle. Like other oral contraceptives, women take tablets every day: 24 active tablets for the first 24 days and four inactive tablets at the end of the cycle.

Hailey Fe overview

BRAND NAMES:

  • Hailey 24 Fe, Aurovela 24 Fe, Blisovi 24 Fe, Junel Fe 24, Loestrin 24 Fe, Lo Loestrin Fe, Merzee, Mibelas 24 Fe, Oshih, Tarina 24 Fe, Taysofy, Taytulla

Generic Names:

  • Norethindrone acetate-ethinyl estradiol, ferrous fumarate

Uses:

  • Prevents pregnancy

Therapeutic Classes:

  • Hormonal contraceptive, monophasic contraceptive combination, iron supplement

Forms:

  • Tablet

How it’s taken:

  • By mouth

What is Hailey Fe used for?

Hailey 24 Fe is an oral contraceptive used by women of reproductive age to prevent pregnancy.

What form(s) does Hailey Fe come in

  • Tablet

    • 1 mg norethindrone acetate / 0.020 mg ethinyl estradiol (active tablets)

    • 75 mg ferrous sulfate (inactive tablets)

What are common Hailey Fe doses?

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

Common Hailey Fe prescriptions

  • Hailey Fe
    1 package (28 tablets), 1-20mg-mcg disp pack

  • Hailey Fe
    1 package (28 tablets), 1.5-30mg-mcg disp pack

How to take Hailey Fe

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

  • Take Hailey 24 Fe pills at the same time each day. 

  • Take all the pills in their numbered order.

    • There are 24 white tablets containing active ingredients and four inert brown tablets with iron. Take all tablets, including the inert tablets.

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

    • Tablets can be taken with or without food. 

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

    • When the last brown pill is taken, start the next pack with the first white pill.

    • 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

    • You have had an abortion or miscarriage

    • You have given birth

  • If you vomit or have diarrhea 3–4 hours after taking a tablet, consider that to be a missed dose.

  • Store Hailey 24 Fe at room temperature in the original carton. Protect from light.

What to do if you miss a dose of Hailey Fe

  • Missed doses increase the risk of pregnancy. You may need to use non-hormonal backup birth control.

  • If a white pill is missed:

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

    • You don’t have to use backup birth control.

  • If you miss two white pills in a row:

    • Take two tablets as soon as possible and two tablets the next day.

    • Use non-hormonal backup birth control for the next 7 days.

  • If you miss two white pills in a row in the third or fourth weeks: 

    • Start over with a new Hailey 24 Fe pack. 

    • When you start over, it will depend on when you first start the cycle. See the Instructions for Use included in the package.

    • Use non-hormonal backup birth control for 7 days after starting a new pack.

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

    • You will have to start a new pack. 

    • When you start over, it will depend on when you first start the cycle. See the Instructions for Use.

    • Use non-hormonal backup birth control for 7 days after starting a new pack.

  • If you miss any of the four brown pills: 

    • Throw away the missed pills and take the remaining pills as scheduled. 

    • Finish the pack and start the next pack as scheduled. 

    • You do not need backup birth control.

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

Hailey Fe contraindications

  • This medicine is not right for everyone. 

  • Do not use it if you are:

    • Pregnant

    • Older than 35 and smoke

  • Hailey 24 Fe should never be taken by people with any of the risk factors for blood clots, including:

    • A history of stroke or blood clots

    • Blood pressure that is not controlled by blood pressure medications

    • Certain types of heart valve problems

    • Abnormal heartbeats that may cause blood clots

    • Diabetes with blood vessel problems

  • Hailey 24 Fe is also contraindicated in the following situations:

    • Undiagnosed abnormal uterine bleeding

    • Liver disease

    • A history of hormone-sensitive breast cancer

    • Certain types of severe migraine headaches

  • Never take birth control pills if you smoke and are older than 35.

Hailey Fe warnings

  • Tell any doctor or other healthcare provider who treats you that you are using this medicine. Oral contraceptives can interfere with several important blood tests. You may need to stop taking Hailey 24 Fe a few weeks before and after surgical procedures.

  • Your doctor may need to perform regular checkups or lab tests to monitor the effects of this medicine. Keep all appointments.

  • Immediately tell the doctor if you become pregnant, think you’re pregnant, or if you miss two periods in a row.

  • Tell your doctor if you:

    • Smoke

    • Are breastfeeding

    • Have given birth in the previous four weeks

  • To avoid potentially serious side effects, tell your doctor if you have:

    • Heart or blood vessel disease

    • High blood pressure

    • Diabetes

    • High cholesterol

    • Migraines

    • A history of depression

    • A hereditary condition that causes facial and skin swelling (hereditary angioedema)

    • Experienced jaundice during pregnancy

    • Developed brown patches on the face during pregnancy (chloasma)

  • This medicine may cause serious problems, including:

    • Increased risk of blood clots

    • Increased risk of breast or cervical cancer

    • Liver problems

    • High blood pressure

    • High cholesterol

    • Gallbladder problems

  • This medicine may cause patches of dark skin. Ask a doctor about the risk. You may need to use sunscreen and avoid exposure to the sun or tanning lights.

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

Hailey Fe interactions

  • To avoid drug interactions, tell the prescribing healthcare provider about all prescription drugs, over-the-counter medicines, and supplements being taken before starting Hailey 24 Fe.

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

  • Hailey 24 Fe can never be taken with any hepatitis C drug that contains ombitasvir/paritaprevir/ritonavir.

  • Some drug interactions can make Hailey 24 Fe less effective, increasing the risk of pregnancy. In some cases, these drug interactions will require women to use backup birth control while taking these drugs. Some drug interactions can increase the risk of side effects. To avoid these problems, make sure the prescriber knows if you’re taking:

    • Drugs that treat fungal infections

    • Drugs that treat other types of infections

    • Drugs that treat seizures

    • Drugs that treat high cholesterol

    • Barbiturates

    • HIV/AIDS or hepatitis C drugs

    • Thyroid hormone pills

    • St. John’s wort

  • Avoid grapefruit or grapefruit juice when taking Hailey 24 Fe.

Hailey Fe 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, pain in your lower leg (calf)

  • 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

  • Heavy vaginal bleeding

  • 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

Hailey 24 Fe may cause significant side effects that don’t have noticeable symptoms. These can only be detected by regular exams and blood tests, including: 

  • High blood pressure

  • Decreased glucose tolerance

Less serious side effects

  • Vaginal spotting or light bleeding

  • Headache

  • Vaginal infections

  • Nausea

  • Menstrual cramps

  • Breast tenderness

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