Many women take Loestrin 24 Fe, the brand name of the combination of the medications ethinyl estradiol and norethindrone acetate, to prevent pregnancy. This medication works by changing the cervical mucus and uterine lining and inhibiting ovulation. The patient prescribing sheet for Loestrin 24 notes that oral contraceptives have a failure rate of approximately 1 percent when women take the medication properly, but have an average failure rate of 5 percent. It is important for women taking Loestrin 24 to follow the instructions exactly and always talk to a doctor about any questions or concerns.
Step 1
See a doctor. Women need to visit a doctor to get a prescription for Loestrin 24, but also should use the appointment as an opportunity to talk to the doctor about any questions or concerns they may have about the medication.
Step 2
Examine the pill package. The rectangular pill package of Loestrin 24 has four rows of seven pills, with each row representing a different week of the menstrual cycle. Women begin by taking the pill in the upper left corner first and work their way to the right by taking one pill a day until they reach the end of the row. They then move down to the left side of the next row and repeat the process.
Step 3
Learn how Loestrin 24 is different from other birth control pills. Each package of Loestrin 24 contains 24 white active pills instead of the traditional 21 active pills found in many other birth control pill options. This typically results in a shorter, lighter period each month.
Step 4
Choose the day to begin taking the medication. While it is wise to ask a doctor for recommendations, many women choose to begin taking the medication on the first day of their period or the Sunday after the first day of their period. Once the day has been decided, women should apply the day-of-the-week labels that came with the pills. Using these can help them keep track of their pills throughout their cycle.
Step 5
Choose a time to begin taking the mediation. Select a time that is easy to remember and convenient. Many women find incorporating taking the pill into an established routine, such as right after they brush their teeth, helps them to remember to take the pill more consistently.
Step 6
Prepare to begin taking the medication. This includes having a backup method of nonhormonal birth control, such as condoms or spermicide, ready to go in the event of missed pills. Having an extra package of Loestrin 24 readily available to prevent a lapse in taking the medication may prove useful.
Step 7
Begin taking the medication. Women should take one pill at the same time each day until the package is empty. Those who miss one active white pill should take it as soon as they remember and continue taking the remaining pills at the normal time. They will not have to use a backup method of birth control. Those who miss two or more active white pills may become pregnant. They should use a backup method of birth control and call a doctor for advice on how to proceed.
Step 8
Watch for side effects. Many women experience spotting, light bleeding or nausea during the first three months of taking Loestrin 24, explains the patient prescribing information sheet. These women should continue taking the pill, but should talk to a doctor if the side effects are particularly troublesome or persistent. Although rare, some women experience serious side effects that can be dangerous. Women who experience sudden weakness or numbness, sudden headaches, confusion, vision or speech problems, impaired balance, pain behind eyes, chest pain, pain in an arm or shoulder, stomach pain, fever, sweating, loss of appetite, intense nausea, clay-colored stools, dark urine or jaundice should stop using Loestrin 24 and call a doctor immediately, warns Drugs.com.
Tips and Warnings
- Setting an alarm on a cell phone or alarm clock also serves as a handy daily reminder to take the pill.
- Antibiotics and certain other medications or herbal supplements can reduce the effectiveness of Loestrin 24. Women should always discuss potential drug interactions with a doctor before using this medication. Loestrin 24 does not protect against sexually transmitted diseases.
Things You'll Need
- Prescription
- Backup method of birth control
