Lo Ovral Side Effects

Serious Adverse Side Effects

Lo Ovral | Ethinyl Estradiol / Norgestrel has some very serious adverse side effects associated with it, such as:

Cardiovascular side effects such as high blood pressure and thromboembolism, or blood clots deep in the vein
Gastrointestinal side effects such as gallbladder disorders
Hepatic side effects such as tumor of the liver
Neurological side effects such as stroke
Ophthalmic side effects such as lesions in the eye structure
Reproductive side effects such as cancer of the genitals

Common Adverse Side Effects

More common and less severe adverse side effects of this drug include:

Endocrine metabolic side effects such as changes in weight
Gastrointestinal side effects such as abdominal pain, bloating, nausea and vomiting
Musculoskeletal side effects such as cramping
Neurological side effects such as headache
Psychiatric side effects such as mood swings
Reproductive side effects such as lack of periods, breakthrough bleeding, breast tenderness, nipple discharge, menstrual disorders, pain of the breast and vaginal bleeding

Warnings & Recalls for Lo Ovral

Black Box Warning

Lo Ovral | Ethinyl Estradiol / Norgestrel has a “black box” warning associated with it, that denotes the dangers of cigarette smoking while being prescribed this drug. The risk of adverse side effects is heightened with the rate of cigarette smoking and with age, usually 35 years of age.

Recall

On January 31, 2012, Pfizer announced the voluntary recall of 14 lots of Lo Ovral | Ethinyl Estradiol / Norgestrel due to the inexact count of pills in these lots, hence the loss of the sequence of the batches.

Contraindications

Known contraindications of Lo Ovral | Ethinyl Estradiol / Norgestrel that hinder a patient’s ability to be prescribed this medication are:

Patients with a history of breast cancer
Patients with endometrial cancer
Patients with cerebral vascular disease
Patients with coronary artery disease
Patients who’ve had cholestatic jaundice during pregnancy
Patients who’ve had any jaundice
Patients who’ve had thromboembolisms
Patients with diabetic vascular involvement
Patients with abnormal vaginal bleeding
Patients with headaches with focal neurological symptoms
Patients with liver adenomas or cancer
Patients with liver disease
Patients with a hypersensitivity to this drug
Patients with uncontrolled hypertension
Patients who have undergone major surgery with prolonged immobilization
Patients who are pregnant
Patients with thrombogenic rhythm disorders
Patients with acquired or hereditary thrombophilias
Patients with valvular heart disease with throbogenic complications

Who Should Not Take This Drug

Lo Ovral | Ethinyl Estradiol / Norgestrel should never be taken by people with these following preexisting conditions:

Women who smoke more than 15 cigarettes a day
Women with cardiovascular disease factors
Women with cerebrovascular diseases
Women with a history of depression
Women with liver impairments
Women with a history of migraines
Women who’ve had heart attacks

Lo Ovral Treatment and Use

Lo Ovral | Ethinyl Estradiol / Norgestrel is a drug prescribed to prevent pregnancy and is better known as a contraceptive birth control pill. This drug is a combination birth control pill comprising of Norgestrel and Ethinyl Estradiol. It is worth noting that Lo Ovral | Ethinyl Estradiol / Norgestrel is marketed by Pfizer.

Please refer to the “warnings and recalls” tab to get more information about the FDA and Pfizer recall for Lo Ovral | Ethinyl Estradiol / Norgestrel in 2012 and also the “black box” warning regarding cigarette smoking and consumption of this drug.

How This Drug Works

Norgestrel, a progestogen, and Ethninyl Estradiol, an estrogen, is a combination birth control pill that suppresses gonadotropin release and inhibits ovulation. It prevents pregnancy by the alteration of endometrium and also the mucus of the cervix, resulting in the successful prevention of sperm entry into the uterus.

Dosage Information

The usual dosage for Lo Ovral | Ethinyl Estradiol / Norgestrel is one tablet per day orally for a consecutive period of 21 days per menstrual cycle. Lo Ovral | Ethinyl Estradiol / Norgestrel is discontinued for at least 7 days after this period.