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Rivelsa

Rivelsa Side Effects

Yen Nguyen, PharmDAllison Gourley, PharmD
Reviewed by Yen Nguyen, PharmD, Allison Gourley, PharmD
Last reviewed on July 8, 2022

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

  • Headache (12%)
  • Heavy/irregular vaginal bleeding (10%)
  • Nausea/Vomiting (9%)
  • Acne (5%)
  • Painful periods (menstrual cramps) (5%)

Less Common Side Effects

  • Weight gain
  • Mood changes
  • Anxiety attacks
  • Migraine
  • Breast tenderness

Rivelsa serious side effects

Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience any of the following.

  • Heart attack: crushing chest pain, heaviness in the chest, stomach discomfort, sweating, nausea, dizziness
  • Stroke: sudden severe headache, vomiting, dizziness, fainting, changes in vision or speech, or weakness or numbness in the arms or legs
  • 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
  • Liver problems: jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes), along with fever, tiredness, loss of appetite, or dark-colored urine
  • Ectopic pregnancy (pregnancy outside the uterus): vaginal bleeding, sharp stomach cramps, dizziness, weakness, vomiting
  • Suicidal thoughts and desire for self-harm

Source: DailyMed

The following Rivelsa 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 these 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
  • Nausea
  • Weight gain
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