What is Junel Fe: Uses, Warnings & Interactions

Follow the instructions printed in the Patient Information sheet.

Take Junel Fe pills at the same time each day. 

Take all the pills in their numbered order.

• Junel Fe has 24 yellow tablets containing active ingredients and four inert brown tablets with iron. 

• Junel Fe 28 Day has 21 yellow (1/20) or pink (1.5/30) tablets containing active ingredients and seven 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 yellow or pink 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 three to four hours after taking a tablet:

• Take another yellow pill if you are using Junel Fe 24 and continue your regular doses the next day.

• Ask a healthcare provider what to do if you are taking Junel Fe 28 Day tablets. 

• You will need to use backup birth control if diarrhea and vomiting are frequent.

Each carton contains either six months (Junel Fe 28 Day) or three months (June Fe 24) of birth control pills. Keep the blister packs in the carton with the Patient Information sheet for future reference.

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

If a yellow or pink 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 yellow or pink pills in a row in the first or second weeks:

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

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

If you miss two yellow or pink pills in a row in the third or fourth weeks: 

• Start over with a new Junel Fe pack. 

• When you start over will depend on when you first started the cycle. See the Patient Information sheet included in the package.

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

If you miss three or more yellow or pink pills in a row in any week:

• You must start over with a new Junel Fe pack. 

• When you start over will depend on when you first started the cycle. See the Patient Information sheet.

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

If you miss any of the 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 what to do, use backup birth control. Continue taking the pills in the pack until you have a chance to see a doctor or other healthcare professional. 

This medicine is not right for everyone. 

Do not use it if you are pregnant or if you smoke and are older than 35.

Because of the risk of serious blood clots, Junel Fe should never be taken by anyone with:

• A history of stroke or blood clots

• Cerebral blood vessel or coronary artery disease

• Blood pressure uncontrolled by blood pressure drugs

• Heart valve problems or heart rhythm problems that cause blood clots

• Diabetes with blood vessel problems

Junel Fe is also contraindicated in anyone with:

• Undiagnosed abnormal uterine or genital bleeding

• A history of hormone-sensitive breast cancer

• Endometrial cancer or any other hormone-sensitive cancer

• Liver tumors

• Liver disease

• A history of jaundice when pregnant or taking birth control pill

• Certain types of severe migraine headaches

Tell any healthcare provider or other healthcare provider who treats you that you are using this medicine. 

• Oral contraceptives can throw off the results of important blood tests. 

• You may need to stop taking Junel Fe four weeks before surgery and start using nonhormonal forms of birth control.

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, have persistent vomiting or diarrhea, or if you miss two periods in a row.

Tell your doctor if you smoke, are breastfeeding, or 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

• High cholesterol

• Diabetes

• Migraines

• A history of irregular periods

• A history of depression

• A history of jaundice when pregnant or taking birth control pills

This medicine may cause serious problems, including:

• Increased risk of blood clots including stroke or heart attack

• Increased risk of breast or cervical cancer

• Liver problems

• Gallbladder problems

• High blood pressure

• High cholesterol

This medicine may cause patches of skin to darken, particularly on the face. Ask the prescriber about the risk. You may need to use sunscreen and avoid exposure to the sun or tanning lights.

Junel 24 will not protect you from HIV/AIDS or other sexually transmitted diseases.

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

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

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

Some drug interactions can make Junel Fe less effective, increasing the risk of pregnancy. When taking these drugs, women may need to use backup birth control. Some drug interactions can increase the risk of side effects. 

To avoid drug interactions, make sure the prescriber knows if you’re taking:

• Drugs that treat fungal infections

• Antibiotics

• Antiviral drugs, particularly HIV/AIDS or hepatitis C drugs

• Drugs that treat seizures

• High cholesterol treatments

• Barbiturates

• Thyroid hormone pills

• St. John’s wort

Avoid grapefruit or grapefruit juice when taking Junel Fe. The combination can increase the risk of side effects.