Junel 1.5/30 is a type of birth control called a combined oral contraceptive (COC), meaning it contains both estrogen and progesterone hormones. It's a monophasic birth control pill, so all active tablets contain the same amount of hormones. Junel 1.5/30 also comes in another version that includes iron - you can tell by the "Fe" (which is the symbol for iron) in the name. Junel 1.5/30 contains higher levels of hormones compared with other COCs with the same ingredients, so it might cause more side effects.
To prevent pregnancy
Junel 1.5/30 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 1.5/30 (along with its branded generics) is another version of Junel 1.5/30 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.
Source: DailyMed
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.
Taken once daily
About 99% successful at preventing pregnancy with perfect use
Available as a 21-tablet or 28-tablet pack
All active tablets are one color, so it can be less confusing
Higher hormone levels might cause more side effects
Taking it incorrectly can raise the risk of pregnancy
Can affect mood and behavior
Not a safe option for females who smoke
Junel 1.5/30 can be taken to prevent pregnancy, but it can't protect against human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infections or other sexually transmitted diseases. Using a latex or polyurethane condom during sex can help lower your risk of an STD.
Let your provider know all of your current medications. Certain medications can make Junel 1.5/30 work less well to prevent pregnancy.
Take Junel 1.5/30 at the same time every day. If you miss your pills, there's a chance that you can get pregnant.
Let your provider know if you have any abnormal vaginal bleeding (spotting). Continue taking Junel 1.5/30 if spotting or light bleeding occurs in between your periods. Let your provider know if the spotting or bleeding doesn't go away.
Make sure to get yearly check ups with your provider so they can monitor health conditions that might be affected by Junel 1.5/30, such as blood pressure and blood sugar.
If you have vomiting or diarrhea, Junel 1.5/30 might not work as well to prevent pregnancy. Use a back-up birth control, such as condoms, until you check in with your provider.
You might notice swelling in your fingers or ankles while you take Junel 1.5/30. This is a side effect of the birth control. Follow up with your provider regularly if you have other health conditions that might get worse with additional fluid and swelling in your body.
Speak to your provider before starting Junel 1.5/30 if you're breastfeeding your child. Small amounts of Junel 1.5/30 can pass into your breast milk and might affect your baby. It can also lower the amount of milk you're able to produce.
Talk to your provider if you experience symptoms of depression or worsening mood while taking Junel 1.5/30. Your provider might have you stop this medication if you have serious depression.
Junel 1.5/30 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.
Risk factors: Female over 35 years old who smoke cigarettes
If you smoke cigarettes, using combined oral contraceptives (COCs), like Junel 1.5/30, 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.
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 1.5/30 less than a month after childbirth | High blood pressure | People identified as obese | High cholesterol | Diabetes | Higher dose of estrogen
Junel 1.5/30 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 1.5/30. They might have you stop taking it 4 weeks before until 2 weeks after your surgery to lower your risk of blood clots.
People who take Junel 1.5/30 can sometimes experience irregular bleeding and spotting, especially during the first 3 months of taking it. 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.
Risk factors: Older age | Using COCs for a long time | High blood pressure | Kidney problems
Junel 1.5/30 can raise your blood pressure, so make sure you monitor your blood pressure while you're taking this medication. The risk is higher in people who are older and have been taking birth control pills for a long period of time. 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 Junel 1.5/30.
Risk factors: Prediabetes or diabetes | High triglycerides
Junel 1.5/30 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 1.5/30 with those health conditions, your provider will monitor you regularly.
Risk factors: History of breast cancer | Taking COCs for a long time
Study results are mixed, but there's a possibility that Junel 1.5/30 and other COCs can raise your risk for breast and cervical cancer.
Don't use Junel 1.5/30 if you have breast cancer because some types of breast cancer grow faster in the presence of estrogen, an ingredient in this birth control pill. To help with early breast cancer detection, you can do monthly breast self-checks at home and yearly breast exams with your healthcare provider. Call your healthcare provider if you notice any abnormal changes or feel lumps, pain, or swelling in your breasts.
Get medical help right away if you experience abnormal vaginal bleeding, discharge, or pain during sex, since these could be signs of cervical cancer.
Let your provider know if you experience new or worsening migraines or headaches while taking Junel 1.5/30. You might have to stop taking it if your migraine or headache doesn't go away or becomes severe.
Certain medications can make Junel 1.5/30 get broken down faster in your body, making it less effective which 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 1.5/30 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 1.5/30.
Dosage | Quantity | Price as low as | Price per unit |
---|---|---|---|
21 tablets | 1 package | $13.53 | $13.53 |
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 1.5/30 (and its branded generics) comes in a 21-day pack. Each tablet contains 1.5 mg norethindrone acetate and 30 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 1.5/30 (and its branded generics) comes in a 28-day pack. There are 21 active tablets and they each contain 1.5 mg norethindrone acetate and 30 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.
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.
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.
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.
Current or history of blood clots
Coronary artery disease (problems with blood flow to the heart)
Cerebral vascular disease (problems with blood flow to the brain)
Current or history of breast cancer
Endometrial cancer or other estrogen-dependent tumor
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 the medication
Liver tumors or cancer
Pregnancy
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