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aurovela 1/20
Used for Birth Control
Used for Birth Control
Junel 1/20 is a type of combined oral contraceptive (COC), or birth control. It contains both estrogen and progesterone hormones. It's monophasic, meaning all active tablets contain the same amount of hormones. This medication is available as a 21-tablet pack (Junel 1/20) or a 28-tablet pack that includes iron tablets (Junel Fe 1/20). Junel 1/20 provides a lower dose of hormones compared with other COCs with the same ingredients.
What is Junel 1/20?
What is Junel 1/20 used for?
- To prevent pregnancy
How Junel 1/20 works
Junel 1/20 is a combination medication that contains 2 hormones: norethindrone (a progestin) and ethinyl estradiol (an estrogen). These 2 hormones work together to prevent pregnancy by:
- Preventing your ovaries from releasing eggs
- Changing the mucus in your cervix to make it harder for the sperm to enter the uterus (womb)
- Changing the lining of the uterus so it's more difficult for a fertilized egg to implant
Junel Fe 1/20 (along with its branded generics) is another version of Junel 1/20 that contains placebo (hormone-free or inactive) tablets with ferrous fumarate. This is an iron supplement added to lower your risk for low iron levels or anemia when you have bleeding during the days when you're taking the placebo tablets.
When does Junel 1/20 start working?Time passed since treatment started:
Drug facts
| Common Brands | Junel 1/20, Aurovela 1/20, Blisovi Fe 1/20, Larin 1/20, Loestrin Fe 1/20 |
|---|---|
| Drug Class | Estrogen / Progestin combined contraceptive |
| Controlled Substance Classification | Not a controlled medication |
| Generic Status | Lower-cost generic available |
| Availability | Prescription only |
Side effects of Junel 1/20
The following side effects may get better over time as your body gets used to the medication. Let your healthcare provider know immediately if you continue to experience these symptoms or if they worsen over time.
Common Side Effects
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Stomach cramps and bloating
- Bleeding between periods
- Spotting
- Change in the flow of period
- Missing periods
- Swelling
- Breast changes
- Weight changes
- Mental depression
- Vaginal yeast infection
Less Common Side Effects
- Skin condition that causes brown spots or patches
- Migraine
- Allergic rash
Junel 1/20 serious side effects
Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience any of the following.
- Heart attack: chest pain, stomach discomfort, sweating, nausea, dizziness
- Stroke: sudden numbness or weakness in the arm, leg, or face, confusion, trouble seeing, headache, difficulty walking
- Deep vein thrombosis (blood clot in the leg): leg cramp, swelling, pain, muscle tightness
- Pulmonary embolism (blood clot in the lung): cough, chest pain, trouble breathing, racing heart
When do Junel 1/20 possible side effects begin and end?
Time passed since treatment started:
H
D
W
M
Changes in menstrual bleeding
Headache
Nausea
Stomach cramps
Breast changes
Mood changes
Seek immediate medical care if you experience this side effect.
If a line continues to the right, you'll likely keep experiencing this side effect once it starts.
The following Junel 1/20 side effects have also been reported
Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.
Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:
Incidence not known
Absent, missed, or irregular menstrual periods
change in vision
changes in skin color
chest pain or discomfort
chills
clay-colored stools
dark urine
dizziness or lightheadedness
fainting
fast heartbeat
headache
hives or welts
itching skin
large, hive-like swelling on the face, eyelids, lips, tongue, throat, hands, legs, feet, or sex organs
loss of appetite
medium to heavy, irregular vaginal bleeding between regular monthly periods, which may require the use of a pad or a tampon
pain or discomfort in the arms, jaw, back, or neck
pain, tenderness, or swelling of the foot or leg
pains in the chest, groin, or legs, especially in the calves of the legs
pounding in the ears
rash
redness of the skin
severe headaches of sudden onset
slow or fast heartbeat
stomach pain
sudden loss of coordination or slurred speech
sweating
troubled breathing
unusual tiredness or weakness
vomiting
vomiting of blood
Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:
Incidence not known
blotchy spots on the exposed skin
breast enlargement or tenderness
discouragement
feeling sad or empty
irritability
itching of the vagina or outside genitals
loss of interest or pleasure
pain during sexual intercourse
stomach cramps
thick, white curd-like vaginal discharge without odor or with mild odor
tiredness
trouble concentrating
trouble sleeping
trouble wearing contact lenses
Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Get your GoodRx coupon
$14.21
GoodRx discount
$10.18
Pros and cons of Junel 1/20
Pros
- Taken once daily
- Active pills are all one color so they're easy to identify
- Available as a lower-cost generic
Cons
- Not recommended if you smoke cigarettes because it raises your risk for blood clots
- Higher risk of breakthrough bleeding or spotting compared with COCs with a higher dose of estrogen
- Missing doses can raise the risk of pregnancy
Pharmacist tips for Junel 1/20
- Take Junel 1/20 at the same time every day with a meal or at bedtime to help with side effects like stomach upset and nausea. Set an alarm to help you remember to take it.
- Junel 1/20 can be taken to prevent pregnancy, but it can't protect against human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infections or other sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). One way to prevent STDs is to use condoms.
- Let your provider know all of your current medications. Certain medications, such as rifampin (Rifadin), can interact with Junel 1/20 and cause it to work less well to prevent pregnancy. Some medications can also raise your risk of breakthrough bleeding (bleeding outside of your period).
- Before taking Junel 1/20, let your provider know all of your health conditions to see if this medication is safe for you. If you have conditions such as high cholesterol levels, your provider might check your labs regularly while you're taking Junel 1/20 because this medication can make your cholesterol levels more difficult to control.
- Swelling can occur in some people who take Junel 1/20. Follow up with your provider regularly if you have other health conditions, such as heart failure, that might get worse with additional fluid and swelling in your body.
- Talk to your provider if you experience symptoms of depression or worsening depression while taking Junel 1/20. Your provider might take you off this medication if you have serious depression.
- If you're breastfeeding, small amounts of Junel 1/20 can pass into your breast milk and might affect your baby. It can also lower the amount of breast milk you're able to make. Discuss with your provider safe birth control options while breastfeeding your baby.
Risks and warnings for Junel 1/20
Junel 1/20 can cause some serious health issues. This risk may be even higher for certain groups. If this worries you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist about other options.
Cigarette smoking and serious heart problems
- Risk factors: Females over 35 years old who smoke cigarettes
If you smoke cigarettes, using combined oral contraceptives (COCs), like Junel 1/20, raises your risk for serious health problems, such as strokes, heart attacks, and blood clots. Females age 35 years and older who smoke are at even higher risk for these problems. If you smoke, talk with your provider about safer birth control alternatives.
Blood clots and strokes
- Risk factors: Females over 35 years old who smoke | Females over 40 years old who don't smoke | Recent surgery with a long period of bed rest | Starting Junel 1/20 less than a month after childbirth | High blood pressure | People identified as obese | High cholesterol | Diabetes | Higher dose of estrogen
Junel 1/20 raises your risk of blood clots. These clots can occur anywhere in your body, including your lungs (pulmonary embolism or PE), legs (deep vein thrombosis or DVT), brain (stroke), and heart (heart attack). Get emergency help right away if you have any signs of a blood clot:
- Brain: weakness or numbness in your arms, legs, or face on one side of the body, trouble speaking, blurred vision, dizziness, loss of balance, trouble walking, or confusion
- Eyes: trouble seeing, bulging eye, double vision
- Heart: chest pain, sweating, nausea, or dizziness
- Lungs: trouble breathing, chest pain, or cough
- Legs: cramps, swelling, pain, or muscle tightness
If you need to have surgery, tell your provider you're taking Junel 1/20. They might have you stop taking it 4 weeks before until 2 weeks after your surgery to lower your risk of blood clots. If you recently delivered a baby, you shouldn't start Junel 1/20 until 4 to 6 weeks after delivery if you're not breastfeeding your child.
Irregular bleeding
People who take Junel 1/20 can sometimes experience irregular bleeding and spotting, especially during the first 3 months of taking this medication. Irregular bleeding can vary from slight staining to bleeding similar to a regular period. This problem might be temporary, so continue taking your medication as directed. Let your provider know if the bleeding is a problem for you and they can change your birth control. If you miss your period, make sure you get a pregnancy test to make sure you're not pregnant or contact your provider.
High blood pressure
- Risk factors: Older age | Using COCs for a long time | High blood pressure | Kidney problems
Junel 1/20 can raise your blood pressure, so make sure you monitor your blood pressure while you're taking this medication. Speak to your provider if you have high blood pressure or kidney problems, and they can help you pick a different method of birth control that's safer for you. Your blood pressure can return to normal after stopping your oral contraceptives.
High blood sugar and cholesterol
- Risk factors: Prediabetes or diabetes | High triglycerides
Junel 1/20 can raise your blood sugar levels and cholesterol levels. Speak with your provider before starting oral contraceptives if you have diabetes, prediabetes, or high cholesterol. If you choose to take Junel 1/20 with those health conditions, your provider will monitor you regularly.
Headache
Let your provider know if you experience new or worsening migraines or headaches while taking Junel 1/20. You will have to stop your medication if your migraine or headache doesn't go away or becomes severe.
Risk of breast and cervical cancer
- Risk factors: History of breast or cervical cancer | Taking COCs for a long time
Study results are mixed, but there's a possibility that Junel 1/20 and other COCs can raise your risk for breast and cervical cancer.
Don't take Junel 1/20 if you currently have or have had breast cancer because some breast cancers grow faster in the presence of estrogen. You can examine your breasts regularly at home or get yearly breast exams with your healthcare provider to help with early breast cancer detection. Let your provider know if you notice any new or abnormal lumps, pain, or swelling in your breasts.
Make sure you follow up with your provider to get proper screenings for cervical cancer. Report any signs of vaginal bleeding or discharge that's not normal.
Interactions with other medications
Certain medications can make Junel 1/20 get broken down faster in your body, making it less effective and can lead to pregnancy. Some examples include carbamazepine (Tegretol) and phenytoin (Dilantin). Use a back-up method or other form of birth control for at least 28 days after stopping any of these medications. Other medications can raise the amount of Junel 1/20 in your body, which can lead to more side effects. Make sure to tell your provider or pharmacist all of your medications so they can make sure they don't interact with Junel 1/20.
If you have hepatitis C and need to be treated with Viekira Pak (dasabuvir / ombitasvir / paritaprevir / ritonavir), let your provider know right away that you're taking a COC. You'll need to stop Junel 1/20 before starting Viekira Pak because taking them together can cause liver problems. You can start Junel 1/20 again 2 weeks after you stop Viekira Pak.
Junel 1/20 dosage
The average cost for 4 packages of 21 tablets of Junel 1/20 is $17.49 with a free GoodRx coupon. This is 53.58% off the average retail price of $37.68. 
Package
Package| Dosage | Quantity | Price as low as | Price per unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| 21 tablets | 4 packages | $17.49 | $4.37 |
Typical dosage for Junel 1/20
Your medication might look different and have slightly different directions depending on which branded generic your provider prescribes. Please take the medication as instructed by your provider. In general:
Junel 1/20 (and its branded generics) comes in a 21-day pack. Each tablet contains 1 mg norethindrone acetate and 20 mcg ethinyl estradiol.
- The typical dose is to take 1 tablet by mouth daily for 21 days, followed by 7 days off (not taking any tablets).
Junel Fe 1/20 (and its branded generics) comes in a 28-day pack. There are 21 active tablets and they each contains 1 mg norethindrone acetate and 20 mcg ethinyl estradiol. There are 7 placebo tablets and they each contains 75 mg of ferrous fumarate.
- The typical dose is to take 1 active tablet by mouth daily for 21 days, followed by 1 placebo tablet daily for the remaining 7 days.
Interactions between Junel 1/20 and other drugs
Junel 1/20 may interact with certain medications or supplements. Always let your doctor and pharmacist know about any other medications or supplements (including prescribed and over-the-counter medications, vitamins, and dietary or herbal supplements) that you are currently taking. The list below does not include all possible drug interactions with Junel 1/20. Please note that only the generic name of each medication is listed below.
Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are taking this medicine, it is especially important that your healthcare professional know if you are taking any of the medicines listed below. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive.
Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is not recommended. Your doctor may decide not to treat you with this medication or change some of the other medicines you take.
- Dasabuvir
- Ombitasvir
- Paritaprevir
- Ritonavir
- Tranexamic Acid
Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be required in some cases. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.
- Amifampridine
- Amoxicillin
- Ampicillin
- Amprenavir
- Anagrelide
- Apalutamide
- Aprepitant
- Armodafinil
- Artemether
- Bacampicillin
- Betamethasone
- Bexarotene
- Boceprevir
- Bosentan
- Brigatinib
- Bupropion
- Carbamazepine
- Carbenicillin
- Cefaclor
- Cefadroxil
- Cefdinir
- Cefditoren
- Cefixime
- Cefpodoxime
- Cefprozil
- Ceftazidime
- Ceftibuten
- Cefuroxime
- Cenobamate
- Ceritinib
- Clavulanic Acid
- Clobazam
- Cloxacillin
- Colesevelam
- Cyclacillin
- Cyclosporine
- Dabrafenib
- Darunavir
- Dexamethasone
- Dicloxacillin
- Donepezil
- Doxycycline
- Efavirenz
- Elagolix
- Elvitegravir
- Encorafenib
- Enzalutamide
- Eslicarbazepine Acetate
- Etravirine
- Fosamprenavir
- Fosaprepitant
- Fosphenytoin
- Fostemsavir
- Glecaprevir
- Griseofulvin
- Guar Gum
- Isotretinoin
- Ivosidenib
- Lesinurad
- Lixisenatide
- Lorlatinib
- Lumacaftor
- Minocycline
- Mitotane
- Modafinil
- Mycophenolate Mofetil
- Mycophenolic Acid
- Nafcillin
- Nelfinavir
- Nevirapine
- Octreotide
- Oxacillin
- Oxcarbazepine
- Oxytetracycline
- Paclitaxel
- Paclitaxel Protein-Bound
- Penicillin G
- Penicillin G Procaine
- Penicillin V
- Phenobarbital
- Phenylbutazone
- Phenytoin
- Pibrentasvir
- Piperaquine
- Pitolisant
- Prednisone
- Primidone
- Red Clover
- Rifabutin
- Rifampin
- Rifapentine
- Ritonavir
- Rufinamide
- Secobarbital
- St John's Wort
- Sugammadex
- Sultamicillin
- Tazemetostat
- Telaprevir
- Tetracycline
- Theophylline
- Ticarcillin
- Tigecycline
- Tizanidine
- Topiramate
- Troglitazone
- Ulipristal
- Valproic Acid
Using this medicine with any of the following medicines may cause an increased risk of certain side effects, but using both drugs may be the best treatment for you. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.
- Amitriptyline
- Atazanavir
- Clomipramine
- Diazepam
- Doxepin
- Eslicarbazepine Acetate
- Etoricoxib
- Ginseng
- Imipramine
- Lamotrigine
- Levothyroxine
- Licorice
- Lorazepam
- Parecoxib
- Prednisolone
- Roflumilast
- Selegiline
- Temazepam
- Tipranavir
- Triazolam
- Troleandomycin
- Valdecoxib
- Voriconazole
- Warfarin
How much does Junel 1/20 cost?
To access savings, use a GoodRx coupon and pay just a fraction of the retail price.
Junel 1/20 contraindications
Contraindications are specific health conditions or situations in which a person should not take a medication due to safety concerns. If you have any of the following conditions or if any of the following apply to you, let your healthcare provider know because Junel 1/20 will not be safe for you to take.
- Current or history of blood clots
- Health condition that makes it more likely for your blood to clot
- Cerebral vascular disease (problems with the blood flow to your brain)
- Coronary artery disease (problems with the blood flow to your heart)
- Current or history of breast cancer
- Unexplained vaginal bleeding that hasn't been diagnosed
- Yellowing of the whites of the eyes or skin (jaundice) during pregnancy or during previous use of birth control pills
- Liver tumors or cancer
- Pregnancy
- Taking hepatitis C medication with ombitasvir, paritaprevir, and ritonavir, with or without dasabuvir
What are alternatives to Junel 1/20?
There are a number of medications that your doctor can prescribe in place of Junel 1/20. Compare a few possible alternatives below.
News about Junel 1/20
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