What is Loestrin Fe? Uses, warnings & side effects

Follow the instructions in the Patient Package Insert included in the carton.

Take Loestrin Fe pills at the same time each day. 

Take the tablets with a meal or at bedtime.

Take all the pills in their numbered order.

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

• The 21 active pills will either be yellow (1/20) or pink (1.5/30).

• The seven inert tablets with iron are brown.

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

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

• Start the next pack with the first pink or yellow pill when the last brown pill is taken.

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

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

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

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 Loestrin Fe at room temperature in the original carton with the patient insert. Protect from light.

Missed doses increase the risk of pregnancy. 

The rules of taking a missed oral contraceptive dose are complex and depend on how many doses are missed and which kind of pill is missed. Missed doses may involve having to use backup birth control.

If a pink or yellow 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 pink or yellow pills 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 pink or yellow pills in a row in the third week: 

• Start over with a new Loestrin Fe pack. 

• When you start over will depend on when you first started the cycle. Consult the package insert for specifics.

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

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

• You will have to start a new pack. 

• When you start over will depend on when you first started the cycle. See the package insert for specifics.

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

If you miss any of the seven 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 pills and use backup birth control until you can visit 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, Loestrin Fe is contraindicated in anyone with:

• A history of stroke or blood clots

• Uncontrolled blood pressure

• Certain types of heart valve problems

• Heart rhythm abnormalities that may cause blood clots

• Cerebral blood vessel or coronary artery disease

• Diabetes with blood vessel problems

Loestrin Fe is also contraindicated in the following situations:

• Undiagnosed abnormal genital bleeding

• Endometrial cancer or any other hormone-sensitive cancer

• A history of hormone-sensitive breast cancer

• Liver disease

• Liver tumors

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

• Certain types of severe migraine headaches

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

• Oral contraceptives like Loestrin Fe can alter the readings of important blood tests. 

• Loestrin Fe may need to be discontinued several weeks before and after surgical procedures.

Your doctor may need to do regular checkups or lab tests to check on your health and possible side effects. 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 are breastfeeding, smoking regularly, given birth recently, or have: 

• Heart or blood vessel disease

• Chest pain

• A history of blood clots in the leg

• High blood pressure

• A history of breast cancer

• Breast nodules, fibrocystic disease of the breast

• Liver problems, particularly liver tumors

• Kidney problems

• Diabetes

• High cholesterol

• Migraines

• Epilepsy

• A history of depression

• A history of irregular periods

Tell the prescriber if you have had jaundice when pregnant or taking birth control pills.

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

This medicine may cause serious problems, including:

• Increased risk of blood clots

• Increased risk of breast or cervical cancer

• High blood pressure

• High cholesterol

• Liver problems

• Gallbladder problems

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

Birth control pills have many significant drug interactions. The most important drug interactions involve drugs that make hormonal birth control less effective at preventing pregnancy. Combining these drugs with Loestrin Fe may require that you use backup birth control. Other drug combinations may increase the risk of side effects.

The prescriber should know about all prescription drugs, over-the-counter medicines, supplements, and herbal remedies being taken, particularly:

• Drugs that treat fungal infections

• Drugs that treat other types of infections, particularly HIV/AIDS or hepatitis C

• Drugs that treat high cholesterol

• Drugs that treat underactive thyroid

• Anti-seizure drugs

• Barbiturates

Avoid grapefruit, grapefruit juice, and the herbal supplement St. John’s wort when taking Loestrin Fe. These will all make Loestrin Fe less effective.

The iron in the inert tablets can interfere with the absorption of other drugs. Talk to the prescriber. The inert tablets don’t have to be taken. Women can choose to use Loestrin 21 Day, which does not contain inert tablets. 

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