Medically reviewed by Jessica Swirble, PharmD
Last updated on 7/10/2024

Drug Information | Side Effects | Use & Dosage | Request a Prescription

The use of norethindrone-ethinyl estradiol can lead to various side effects in some individuals.

Common mild side effects of norethindrone-ethinyl estradiol use include:

• Nausea
  
• Vomiting
  
• Stomach cramps and bloating
  
• Bleeding between periods
  
• Spotting
  
• Changes in period flow
• Vaginal discharge
• Missing periods
  
• Breast changes
  
• Weight changes
  
• Headaches
• Mental depression or anxiety
  
• Vaginal yeast infection
  
  

More severe side effects include:

• Stroke symptoms (like weakness or numbness, severe headache, difficulty with speech, loss of vision)
  
• Blood clot symptoms (like loss of vision, chest pain or chest heaviness, coughing up blood, shortness of breath, leg pain)
  
• Absent, missed, or irregular menstrual periods
  
• Change in vision
  
• Changes in skin color
  
• Chest pain or discomfort
  
• Fever or chills
  
• Clay-colored stools
  
• Constipation
  
• Dark urine
  
• Dizziness or lightheadedness
  
• Fainting
  
• Fast or slow heartbeat
  
• Hives, redness, welts, or swelling on the face, eyelids, lips, tongue, throat, hands, legs, feet, or sex organs
  
• Itching skin
  
• Pain, swelling, or discomfort in the arms, jaw, back, neck, foot, calves, or legs
  
• Pounding in the ears
  
• Severe headaches of sudden onset
  
• Sudden loss of coordination or slurred speech
  
• Sweating
  
• Difficulty breathing
  
  

If you experience any severe or concerning side effects while taking norethindrone-ethinyl estradiol, contact your healthcare provider right away.

Inform your healthcare provider about any existing medical conditions, allergies, or other medications you are taking before starting treatment with norethindrone-ethinyl estradiol. This includes prescription drugs, over-the-counter medications, and dietary supplements, as they may interact with norethindrone-ethinyl estradiol.

Tell your provider if you are taking these medications or supplements:

• Antibiotics
  
• Blood pressure medications
  
• Aspirin and other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
  
• Diuretics ('water pills')
  
• Aldosterone antagonists
  
• Anticoagulants
  
• Potassium supplements
  
• Bile acid sequestrants
  
• Folate supplements
  
• Antimetabolites
  
• Antimalarials
  
• Anticonvulsants
  
• Antivirals
  
  

You should also mention medical conditions such as:

• Heart disease
  
• Stroke
  
• Blood clots or clotting disorders
  
• High blood pressure
  
• Diabetes
  
• High cholesterol or triglycerides
  
• Liver disease
  
• Kidney disease
  
• Severe migraines
  
• Unusual vaginal bleeding
  
• Depression
  
• Seizures
  
• Migraines
  
• Obesity
  
• Gallbladder disease
  
• A history of breast, uterine, or cervical cancer
  
  

This medication has been given a black box warning from the FDA due to the risks of smoking cigarettes while using norethindrone-ethinyl estradiol. Doing so increases your risk of heart attacks, strokes, blood clots, and other side effects from taking oral contraceptives, especially for heavy smokers over the age of 35. Do not smoke cigarettes if you are taking oral contraceptives such as norethindrone-ethinyl estradiol.

Oral contraceptives such as norethindrone-ethinyl estradiol may increase your long-term risk of developing liver tumors, breast or liver cancer and your short-term risk of heart attack, stroke, and blood clots – while reducing your overall risk of ovarian, endometrial, and colorectal cancers, so be sure to talk with your healthcare provider about the risks and benefits of oral contraceptives.

If you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding, discuss the potential risks and benefits of using norethindrone-ethinyl estradiol with your healthcare provider.

Take norethindrone-ethinyl estradiol exactly as prescribed by your healthcare provider. Do not exceed the recommended dose or duration of treatment.

Norethindrone-ethinyl estradiol can cause dizziness or nausea. Do not drive or operate machinery until you know how this medication affects you.

Complete the full course of treatment, even if you feel better, to ensure the medication's effectiveness in managing your condition.

In case of a norethindrone-ethinyl estradiol overdose, seek medical attention immediately. Symptoms of overdose may include severe nausea, vomiting, and vaginal bleeding. If you suspect an overdose, contact the poison control helpline at 1-800-222-1222 or call emergency services.