What is Lo Loestrin Fe: Uses, Warnings & Interactions

Follow the instructions found in the Guide for Using Lo Loestrin Fe included in the carton.

Take Lo Loestrin Fe tablets at the same time each day. 

Take all the pills in their numbered order.

• Take all tablets in the blister pack, one per day.

• The 24 active pills with two female hormones are blue.

• The two active pills with only estradiol are white.

• The inactive “reminder” pills are brown.

• When you first start, place the day label strip over the rows of tablets. The day you start should be the day on the strip that is above the first pill you take.

• Take the first tablet (number 1) during the first 24 hours of your period.

• 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 blue pill.

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

If you do not start on the first day of your period, use backup birth control for the first seven days.

If you are switching from another birth control pill, another contraceptive method, or after giving birth, consult the Guide for Using Lo Loestrin Fe for when to start the first pill. The prescriber should provide specific instructions.

• Get medical advice from a healthcare professional if you’re switching from an IUD.

Do not start taking Lo Loestrin Fe until at least four weeks after giving birth.

If you vomit or have diarrhea, ask a healthcare provider. You may need to use backup birth control.

If the inert iron pills cause digestive system problems, take the pills with food.

Each carton contains five months (five blister packs) of birth control pills. Keep the blister packs in the carton with the patient insert for future reference.

Store Lo Loestrin Fe tablets at room temperature in their blister packs.

Missed doses increase the risk of pregnancy. 

If a blue pill is missed:

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

• This means you can take two pills on the same day if necessary.

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

If you miss two blue pills in the first or second weeks:

• Take two blue pills as soon as possible and two blue pills the next day.

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

If you miss two pills (blue or white) in a row in the third week: 

• Immediately start a new Lo Loestrin Fe pack and throw out the remaining pills in the old pack. 

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

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

• Immediately start a new Lo Loestrin Fe blister pack and throw out the remaining pills in the old pack. 

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

If you miss any of the two 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, continue taking the remaining pills and use backup birth control until you can talk with a healthcare provider.

This medicine is not right for everyone. 

Do not use oral contraceptives if you are:

• Pregnant

• Older than 35 and smoke

Because of the risk of blood clots, Lo Loestrin Fe is contraindicated in anyone with:

• A history of blood clots in the legs, lungs, or eyes

• A history of stroke or heart attack

• Coronary artery disease

• Certain types of heart valve or heart rhythm problems that cause blood clots to form inside the heart

• A hereditary condition that raises the risk of blood clots

• Uncontrolled blood pressure

• Diabetes with blood vessel damage

• Focal headaches or certain kinds of migraines in women older than 35 years of age

Lo Loestrin Fe is also contraindicated in women with:

• A history of breast cancer

• Undiagnosed abnormal uterine bleeding

• Liver disease

• Liver tumors

Tell any doctor or other healthcare provider who treats you that you are using this medicine. Lo Loestrin Fe can interfere with important blood tests. Oral contraceptives may need to be discontinued several weeks before and after certain surgical procedures.

The use of birth control pills requires at least once-yearly doctor’s visits, but some women may require more frequent visits and blood tests. Keep all appointments.

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

Tell your doctor if you are breastfeeding, smoking regularly, given birth recently, or have: 

• Heart or blood vessel disease

• Chest pain

• A history of blood clot problems

• High blood pressure

• A history of breast cancer

• Liver problems, particularly liver tumors

• A history of jaundice

• Kidney problems

• Diabetes

• High cholesterol

• High fats

• A history of depression

• A history of facial swelling (hereditary angioedema)

Tell the prescriber if you have ever developed brown skin patches on the face while pregnant.

Oral contraceptives like Lo Loestrin Fe may cause serious problems including:

• Increased risk of heart attack, stroke, retinal damage, or other blood clot problems

• Increased risk of breast cancer

• High blood pressure

• High cholesterol

• Liver problems

• Gallbladder problems

• Worsening of migraines

• Worsening of depression

This medicine may darken patches of skin, particularly on the face. To avoid this, use sunscreen and avoid sun exposure or tanning lights.

This medicine may cause unscheduled bleeding or spotting, particularly in the first months of dosing. If unscheduled bleeding is heavy or persists, talk to the prescriber.

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

Do not use this medicine together with a combination of drugs (ombitasvir, paritaprevir, and ritonavir) that treats hepatitis C.

To prevent drug interactions that increase the risk of pregnancy or side effects, tell the prescriber about all the prescription drugs, over-the-counter medicines, supplements, and herbal remedies you take, particularly:

• Drugs that treat fungal infections

• Drugs that treat viral infections, particularly HIV/AIDS or hepatitis C

• High cholesterol drugs

• Underactive thyroid drugs

• Anti-seizure drugs

• Barbiturates

• Acetaminophen, bosentan, griseofulvin, rifampin, St. John’s wort, vitamin C

The iron in the last two inactive tablets can prevent the body from absorbing other drugs such as some types of antibiotics. Ask the prescriber for medical advice. 

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