Microgestin Tablet: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, Precautions and Alternates

Quick overview

Microgestin Tablet contains norethindrone acetate and ethinyl estradiol, a progestin and estrogen combination belonging to the oral contraceptive drug class. It is taken by mouth to prevent pregnancy and to help manage certain hormone-related conditions. It works by preventing ovulation, thickening cervical mucus, and altering the lining of the womb. Use exactly as directed, and discuss any health conditions or concerns with your doctor before starting.

What is Microgestin Tablet

Microgestin is a combination birth control pill that contains two hormones, a progestin (norethindrone) and an estrogen (ethinyl estradiol). It is taken by mouth to prevent pregnancy.

Microgestin Tablet uses

• Prevent pregnancy (oral contraceptive)
• Make periods more regular
• Decrease blood loss and painful periods
• Decrease risk of ovarian cysts
• Treat acne
• Treat hormone-related conditions such as endometriosis and menopause symptoms

Benefits of Microgestin Tablet

• Effectively prevents pregnancy when taken correctly
• May make periods more regular and lighter
• May reduce menstrual cramps
• May reduce risk of ovarian cysts
• May help treat acne

How Microgestin Tablet works

Microgestin works by preventing ovulation. It thickens the mucus at the entrance of the womb so sperm cannot get through, and it changes the lining of the womb so a fertilized egg cannot implant.

Microgestin Tablet dosage

Take this medication by mouth, usually once daily, at the same time each day. Pick a time of day that is easy to remember and stick to it, taking doses about 24 hours apart. Take the pills in the order directed on the package; do not skip any doses.

To reduce nausea, this medication may be taken with food, or after your evening meal or at bedtime. If you are taking a chewable tablet, you may swallow it whole or chew it thoroughly and swallow. If you are taking a rapidly-dissolving tablet, you may dissolve it on your tongue and swallow with a full glass of water, or swallow it whole with a full glass of water.

Follow the package instructions to find the first tablet and start the pack correctly. If your pack has reminder (inactive) pills, take one each day for the days after finishing the active pills; if your pack has no reminder pills, do not take any tablets during that week unless your doctor says otherwise. Start a new pack the day after finishing the current pack, whether or not you have your period.

Use a backup method of contraception during the first cycle of use. Vomiting or diarrhea can prevent the pills from working well; use a backup method if this happens. Contact your care team about use in children; this medicine has been used in children who have started having menstrual periods.

Available forms and strengths

• Tablet
• Tablet, chewable
• Tablet, film coated
• Capsule
• Patch
• Patch, extended release
• Kit

Side effects of Microgestin Tablet

Common

• Nausea or vomiting
• Headache
• Bloating
• Breast pain or tenderness
• Swelling of the ankles or feet (fluid retention)
• Weight change
• Vaginal bleeding between periods (spotting), especially in the first few months
• Missed or irregular periods
• Acne
• Menstrual cramps
• Mood swings
• Dark patches of skin on the face or sun-exposed areas

Serious

• Allergic reaction: skin rash, itching, hives, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat
• Signs of a blood clot: pain, swelling, or warmth in the leg, shortness of breath, chest pain
• Signs of a stroke: sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm, or leg, trouble speaking, confusion, trouble walking, loss of balance or coordination, dizziness, severe headache, or vision changes
• Signs of a heart attack: chest, jaw, or left arm pain
• Gallbladder problems: severe stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, fever
• Liver injury: right upper belly pain, loss of appetite, nausea, light-colored stool, dark urine, or yellowing of the skin or eyes
• Increase in blood pressure
• New or worsening migraines or headaches
• Worsening mood or feelings of depression
• Breast lumps
• Unusual changes in vaginal bleeding, such as continuous spotting, sudden heavy bleeding, or missed periods

Warnings and precautions

• This medication should not be used during pregnancy. If you become pregnant or think you may be pregnant, tell your doctor right away.
• A small amount of this medication passes into breast milk and may have unwanted effects on a nursing baby. Talk to your doctor before breastfeeding.
• Tell your doctor if you have kidney disease before using this medication.
• Tell your doctor if you have liver disease, including liver tumors, before using this medication. This medicine should not be combined with certain liver conditions.
• Do not use this medicine if you smoke and are over 35 years old. Smoking raises the risk of stroke, heart attack, blood clots, and high blood pressure while using hormonal birth control, and this risk increases with age and the number of cigarettes smoked.
• This medicine does not protect against sexually transmitted infections, including HIV. Use condoms or dental dams to lower infection risk.
• Do not take this medicine together with certain hepatitis C medicines, including combinations containing ombitasvir, paritaprevir, and ritonavir, with or without dasabuvir.
• This medicine may rarely cause serious, sometimes fatal, blood clot problems such as heart attack, stroke, or blood clots in the lungs or legs.
• Do not combine this medicine with certain conditions such as liver disease, blood clotting disorders, unexplained vaginal bleeding, certain cancers, or severe allergic reactions, as these are considered contraindications.

Storage

• Store at room temperature between 15 and 30 degrees C (59 and 86 degrees F)
• Store away from light and moisture
• Do not store in the bathroom
• Keep out of the reach of children and pets
• Throw away any unused medication after the expiration date
• Do not flush medications down the toilet or pour them into a drain unless instructed to do so; properly discard this product when expired or no longer needed

When to see a doctor

• Get medical help right away if you notice signs of a serious allergic reaction, such as rash, itching or swelling of the face, tongue, or throat, severe dizziness, or trouble breathing.
• Get medical help right away if you have chest, jaw, or left arm pain, confusion, sudden dizziness or fainting, pain or swelling in the groin or calf, trouble speaking, shortness of breath or rapid breathing, sudden or severe headaches, unusual sweating, weakness on one side of the body, or sudden vision changes, as these can be signs of a blood clot, heart attack, or stroke.
• Tell your doctor right away if you notice breast lumps, new or worsening depression or mood changes, severe stomach or abdominal pain, unusual changes in vaginal bleeding, dark urine, or yellowing of the eyes or skin.
• If you think you have taken too much of this medicine, contact a poison control center or emergency room at once.
• Check with your doctor right away if you miss two periods in a row, or one period if the pill has not been used properly, so you can get a pregnancy test.

Alternatives

• Junel Fe
• Aurovela Fe
• Loestrin Fe