Wera is a combined hormonal birth control pill that's taken by mouth every day. It's a monophasic birth control, meaning all of the active pills contain the same doses of ethinyl estradiol and norethindrone. But compared with other monophasic birth controls with the same ingredients, it contains a lower dose of norethindrone. It works well to prevent pregnancy, but isn't the best choice for females with certain medical conditions.
To prevent pregnancy
Wera (along with its branded generics) is a combination oral contraceptive (COC) that contains 2 hormones: ethinyl estradiol (an estrogen) and norethindrone (a progestin). Both hormones work together to prevent pregnancy by:
Suppressing ovulation (release of an egg from the ovary)
Changing cervical mucus to block sperm movement
Creating an unfriendly environment for the fertilized egg by changing the lining in the uterus (womb)
Source: DailyMed
Side effects that you should report to your care team as soon as possible:
Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your care team if they continue or are bothersome):
Once-daily dosing
Works better to prevent pregnancy compared to some other birth control methods
Pills are in an easy-to-follow blister pack
Available as a lower-cost generic
Doesn't protect against sexually transmitted diseases (STDs)
Need to take your pill at the same time every day for it to work well
Not a good option for females over 35 who smoke
Can cause unpleasant side effects like nausea, vomiting, and mood changes
Set an alarm to help you remember to take Wera at the same time every day. Forgetting to take your pill raises the chance of getting pregnant. If you miss a dose, refer to the instructions or call your provider.
It's normal to have spotting (light vaginal bleeding outside of your period) or feel sick to your stomach for the first few packs of Wera. This should get better over time, but if it doesn't contact your provider.
If you have vomiting or diarrhea, or take certain medications, Wera might not work as well for you. Always use a back-up birth control method until you're able to check with your healthcare provider.
If you've been taking Wera as instructed and miss your period or feel like you might be pregnant, check in with your provider so they can confirm whether or not you're pregnant and provide prenatal care if needed. While Wera shouldn't cause any birth defects if you accidentally take it during early pregnancy, you'll no longer need to take it when you're pregnant.
Oral contraceptives like Wera can lower the amount of breast milk you're able to produce while breastfeeding. Small amounts of it can pass into breast milk and could lead to side effects in your baby. If you're breastfeeding, ask your provider about alternative birth control options.
You can stop taking Wera any time you wish, but if you're sexually active and want to prevent pregnancy talk with your provider about alternative birth control options.
Wera has been prescribed specifically for you, so don't share it with anyone who wants to take birth control. Their provider should evaluate them to make sure they get a safe option.
Wera 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: Females over 35 years old who smoke cigarettes
If you smoke cigarettes, using combined oral contraceptives (COCs) like Wera 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 Wera less than a month after childbirth | High blood pressure | People identified as obese | High cholesterol | Diabetes | Higher dose of estrogen
Wera 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 Wera. They might have you stop taking it 4 weeks before until 2 weeks after your surgery to lower your risk of blood clots.
Risk factors: History of breast cancer | Taking COCs for a long time
Study results are mixed, but there's a possibility that Wera and other COCs can raise your risk for breast and cervical cancer.
Don't use Wera 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.
Risk factors: Liver problems or infection in the liver | Taking COCs with 50 mcg of estrogen or higher | Using COCs for 4 years or longer
Though rare, Wera can cause liver problems, such as liver damage and liver tumors. These problems are linked more with earlier formulations of COCs that contained higher levels of estrogen (50 mcg or higher), and less so with Wera since it only contains 35 mcg of estrogen. Don't use this medication if you already have liver problems. Call your provider right away if you experience symptoms of liver problems, such as tiredness, stomach pain, or yellowing of the skin or whites of the eyes.
Risk factors: Prediabetes or diabetes | Personal or family history of high triglycerides | High dose
COCs like Wera might raise your blood sugar and triglyceride (fat) levels. If you have diabetes, let your provider know if you experience any changes in your blood sugar. Make sure to go to all of your check-ups so your provider can monitor any changes.
Risk factors: High blood pressure | Older age | Using COCs for a long time | Kidney problems
Wera and other COCs can raise your blood pressure. Your provider might ask you to check your blood pressure regularly. If you notice your blood pressure is higher while you're taking this medication, contact your provider. If you have uncontrolled high blood pressure, Wera might not be the best option for you.
Headaches are a common side effect of COCs like Wera. But, if you experience a new migraine, a migraine that's worse than normal, or a new headache that keeps coming back or is severe, call your provider so you can be checked out.
Breakthrough bleeding and spotting are common side effects of hormonal birth control pills. This is more common during the first 3 months of using Wera. Let your provider know if you experience any vaginal bleeding outside of your period, or if your period has stopped completely. There are other causes besides your birth control pills for irregular bleeding that your provider will evaluate.
Risk factors: History of depression
Let your provider know if you experience symptoms of depression or worsening depression while taking Wera. In cases of serious depression, your provider might have you stop taking it.
Research suggests that females who take that COCs are at a higher risk of pregnancy occuring outside of the womb (ectopic pregnancy) if the birth control pills don't work like they're supposed to. The chance of becoming pregnant is higher when you don't take Wera as instructed at the same time every day. Symptoms of an ectopic pregnancy include low back pain, abnormal vaginal bleeding, and cramping. If you experience any of these symptoms, contact your provider.
Certain medications can make Wera 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 Wera 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 Wera.
If you have hepatitis C and need to be treated with Viekira Pak (dasabuvir / ombitasvir / paritaprevir / ritonavir), immediately let your provider know that you're taking a COC. You'll need to stop Wera before starting Viekira Pak because taking them together can cause liver problems. You can start Wera again 2 weeks after you stop Viekira Pak.
Dosage | Quantity | Price as low as | Price per unit |
---|---|---|---|
28 tablets | 1 package | $13.94 | $13.94 |
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:
Wera (and its branded generics) comes in a 28-day pack. There are 21 active tablets and they each contain 0.5 mg of norethindrone and 35 mcg of ethinyl estradiol. There are 7 placebo tablets and they don't contain any active medications.
The typical dose is 1 active tablet by mouth daily for 21 days, followed by 1 placebo tablet daily for the remaining 7 days.
Currently have or history of deep vein thrombosis (DVT), pulmonary embolism (PE), or other blood clotting problems
Smoke and over age 35 years old
Cerebrovascular disease (problems with blood flow in the brain)
Coronary artery disease (problems with blood flow in the heart)
Certain heart valve or heart rhythm problems
Diabetes with blood vessel problems
Certain types of headaches with neurological symptoms
Major surgery and not being able to walk for a long period of time
Uncontrolled high blood pressure
Currently have or have a history of breast cancer
Currently have endometrial cancer or other estrogen-dependent tumor
Vaginal bleeding where the cause haven't yet been identified
History of jaundice during pregnancy or with prior pill use
Liver tumors
Liver problems
Pregnancy
Taking hepatitis C medication containing ombitasvir / paritaprevir / ritonavir, with or without dasabuvir
By signing up, I agree to GoodRx's Terms and Privacy Policy, and to receive marketing messages from GoodRx.
Research prescriptions and over-the-counter medications from A to Z, compare drug prices, and start saving.