alyacen 7/7/7
Necon 7/7/7 is a type of combined oral contraceptive (COC), or birth control. Necon 7/7/7 provides different doses of hormones every 7 days to mimic your body's natural hormone production. This medication works well to prevent pregnancy, but it needs to be taken at the same time every day.
What is Necon 7/7/7?
What is Necon 7/7/7 used for?
To prevent pregnancy
How Necon 7/7/7 works
Necon 7/7/7 is a combination medication that contains two hormones, norethindrone (a progestin) and ethinyl estradiol (an estrogen). Norethindrone and ethinyl estradiol work together to prevent pregnancy by:
Preventing your ovaries from releasing eggs
Changing the mucus in your cervix to make it difficult for the sperm to enter the uterus
Changing the lining of the uterus to lower the chance of a fertilized egg from implanting into the uterus.
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What are the side effects of Necon 7/7/7?
Common Side Effects
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Stomach cramps and bloating
- Bleeding between periods
- Spotting
- Change in the flow of period
- Missing periods
Other Side Effects
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Stomach cramps and bloating
- Bleeding between periods
- Spotting
- Change in the flow of period
- Missing periods
Serious Side Effects
- 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
Source: DailyMed
The following side effects have also been reported
Side effects that you should report to your care team as soon as possible:
- Allergic reactions—skin rash, itching, hives, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat
- Blood clot—pain, swelling, or warmth in the leg, shortness of breath, chest pain
- Gallbladder problems—severe stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, fever
- Increase in blood pressure
- Liver injury—right upper belly pain, loss of appetite, nausea, light-colored stool, dark yellow or brown urine, yellowing skin or eyes, unusual weakness or fatigue
- New or worsening migraines or headaches
- Stroke—sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm, or leg, trouble speaking, confusion, trouble walking, loss of balance or coordination, dizziness, severe headache, change in vision
- Unusual vaginal discharge, itching, or odor
- Worsening mood, feelings of depression
Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your care team if they continue or are bothersome):
- Breast pain or tenderness
- Dark patches of skin on the face or other sun-exposed areas
- Irregular menstrual cycles or spotting
Pros and cons of Necon 7/7/7
Pros
Works well to prevent pregnancy
Hormones provided by the medication every week is similar to your body's natural hormone production
Period cycle can become more regular
Cons
Different color pills might be confusing
Dosing is complicated if you're trying to make up for missing pills
Risk of heart attacks and stroke
Pharmacist tips for Necon 7/7/7
Necon 7/7/7 can be taken to prevent pregnancy, but it can't protect against HIV infections (AIDS) 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, such as rifampin (Rifadin), can interact with Necon 7/7/7 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 Necon 7/7/7, 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 Necon 7/7/7 because this medication can make your cholesterol levels more difficult to control.
Take Necon 7/7/7 at the same time every day. If you miss your pills, there's a chance that you can become pregnant. Talk to your provider or pharmacist about what you should do if you miss your pills.
Necon 7/7/7 can cause swelling in some people, such as in the fingers or ankles. Talk to your provider if you experience swelling or have health problems that can also cause swelling.
Talk to your provider if you experience symptoms of depression or worsening depression while taking Necon 7/7/7. Your provider might take you off this medication if you have serious depression.
Speak to your provider before starting Necon 7/7/7 if you are breastfeeding your child. Small amounts of Necon 7/7/7 can pass into your breastmilk and might affect your baby. It can also lower the amount and quality of your breast milk. Discuss with your provider about starting Necon 7/7/7 after you have stopped breastfeeding your baby.
Let your provider know if you experience new or worsening migraines or headaches while taking Necon 7/7/7. You will have to stop your medication if your migraine or headache doesn't go away or becomes severe.
Frequently asked questions about Necon 7/7/7
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What are the risks and warnings for Necon 7/7/7?
Necon 7/7/7 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.
Heart problems and strokes
Risk factors: Females over 35 years old who smoke | Heavy smoking | High blood pressure | High cholesterol | Obese | Diabetes
Smoking cigarettes while taking Necon 7/7/7 can raise the risk of serious heart problems. The risk gets higher as you get older, especially if you're over 35 years old, and with the number of cigarettes smoked. Females over 35 years old who smoke shouldn't take Necon 7/7/7 because of this risk.
Necon 7/7/7 can worsen certain health problems and raise the risk of heart attacks and strokes. These serious problems can lead to death or temporary or permanent disability. Speak to your provider before starting Necon 7/7/7 if you have heart problems or any of the risk factors listed above that would put you at risk for heart problems or strokes. Your provider can help you determine if this medication is safe for you. Let your provider know right away if you experience crushing chest pain, heaviness in the chest, sudden severe headache, vomiting, dizziness, fainting, changes in vision or speech, or weakness or numbness in the arms or legs.
Blood clots
Risk factors: Females over 35 years old | High blood pressure | Smoking | Surgery | Not moving for a period of time | Within 4 weeks of childbirth
Necon 7/7/7 can raise the risk of blood clots. The risk of blood clots is highest in the first year of use and when you restart the medication after taking a break for 4 weeks or longer. You're at a higher risk for blood clots if you are going in for surgery, unable to move for a long period of time, or recently delivered a baby. Talk to your provider about stopping Necon 7/7/7 at least 4 weeks before and for 2 weeks after your surgery or during bed rest. If you recently delivered a baby, you shouldn't start Necon 7/7/7 until 4 weeks after delivery if you're not breastfeeding your child. Let your provider know right away if you experience sharp chest pain, coughing up blood, shortness of breath, or pain in your legs, as these could be signs of a blood clot.
Although rare, Necon 7/7/7 can raise the risk of getting a blood clot in the veins of your eye, which can lead to eye damage. Stop taking Necon 7/7/7 and let your provider know right away if you experience any vision changes or vision loss. Get your eyes checked if you experience vision changes while wearing contacts or if your eyes can no longer tolerate your contacts.
High blood sugar and cholesterol
Risk factors: Prediabetes or diabetes | High triglycerides
Necon 7/7/7 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 Necon 7/7/7 with those health conditions, your provider will monitor you regularly.
High blood pressure
Risk factors: Older age | Long-term use | High blood pressure | Kidney problems
Necon 7/7/7 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 for a long period of time. Women with very high blood pressure shouldn't take birth control with hormones, such as Necon 7/7/7. Speak to your provider if you have high blood pressure and they can help you pick a different method of birth control that's safer for you. If your blood pressure rises to greater than 160/100 mmHg and can't be controlled, talk to your provider about switching to a different method of birth control. Blood pressure usually returns to normal after stopping oral contraceptives.
Risk of breast and cervical cancer
Risk factors: History of breast cancer | Taking COCs for a long time
Study results are mixed, but there's a possibility that Necon 7/7/7 and other COCs can raise your risk for breast and cervical cancer.
Don't use Necon 7/7/7 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.
Liver problems
Risk factors: Long-term use | Hepatitis C treatment
Don't take Necon 7/7/7 if you have liver problems, such as sudden liver infection caused by a virus, severe (decompensated) scarring of the liver, or liver tumors. Although rare, Necon 7/7/7E can raise your risk of benign liver tumors. If you experience signs of liver problems, you should stop taking Necon 7/7/7 and ask your provider for a different type of birth control. Signs of liver problems can include jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes), along with fever, tiredness, loss of appetite, or dark colored urine. People with liver problems might have trouble breaking down hormones.
Talk to your provider before starting Necon 7/7/7 if you are taking medications to treat Hepatitis C. Medications that contain ombitasvir, paritaprevir, and ritonavir, with or without dasabuvir, can raise the liver levels and cause liver problems. Stop taking Necon 7/7/7 if you need to start your treatment for Hepatitis C. You can restart Necon 7/7/7 2 weeks after your treatment is completed.
Necon 7/7/7 dosage forms
| Dosage | Quantity | Price as low as | Price per unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| 28 tablets | 1 package | $15.94 | $15.94 |
Typical dosing for Necon 7/7/7
Necon 7/7/7 (and its branded generics) comes in a 28-day pack. Your medication might look different depending on which branded generic your provider prescribes. Please take the medication as instructed by your provider or following the directions on the package.
There are 21 active tablets and they contain different dosages of norethindrone and ethinyl estradiol. In general
Day 1 through 7: 0.5 mg norethindrone and 35 mcg ethinyl estradiol
Day 8 through 14: 0.75 mg norethindrone and 35 mcg ethinyl estradiol
Day 15 through 21: 1 mg norethindrone and 35 mcg ethinyl estradiol
Day 22 through 28: Placebo tablets (hormone-free)
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.
How much does Necon 7/7/7 cost?
Necon 7/7/7 contraindications
Current or history of blood clots
Health condition that makes it more likely for your blood to clot
A history of heart attack or stroke
Heart valve problems with complications
Steady blood pressure over 160 mmHg systolic (top number) or 100 mmHg diastolic (bottom number)
Diabetes with blood vessel problems
Headache with nerve problems
Major surgery that prevents you from moving for a long time
Current or history of breast cancer
Cancer in the lining of the uterus
Tumors grows in the presence of estrogen
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 problems
Liver cancer
Pregnancy
Taking hepatitis C medication with ombitasvir, paritaprevir, and ritonavir, with or without dasabuvir
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