Blisovi Fe 1/20 (ethinyl estradiol-norethindrone) is a brand-name prescription hormonal birth control pill that prevents pregnancy. It is a combination oral contraceptive, containing both an estrogen (ethinyl estradiol) and a progestin (norethindrone). Each month’s supply contains 21 oral contraceptive pills (yellow active pills) and seven ferrous fumarate pills (brown inactive pills). While effective for preventing pregnancy, individuals considering or currently taking Blisovi Fe 1/20 often have questions about its potential side effects, including its impact on weight. This article provides a comprehensive overview of Blisovi Fe 1/20, its side effects, and its relationship to weight changes.
What is Blisovi Fe 1/20?
Blisovi Fe 1/20 is a combination oral contraceptive, meaning it contains two hormones: ethinyl estradiol, an estrogen, and norethindrone, a progestin. These hormones work together to prevent pregnancy primarily by preventing ovulation. They also alter the cervical mucus to make it difficult for sperm to reach the egg and change the lining of the uterus to prevent implantation of a fertilized egg.
The pill pack contains 21 active pills (yellow) with the hormones and 7 inactive pills (brown) containing ferrous fumarate, a form of iron. The inactive pills are included to help maintain the habit of taking a pill every day.
Common Side Effects of Blisovi Fe 1/20
Like all medications, Blisovi Fe 1/20 can cause side effects. The most common side effects include:
- Nausea
- Breast soreness
- Breakthrough bleeding or spotting between periods
- Mild bloating
- Fatigue
- Depression
- Nervousness
- Mood swings or emotional changes
These side effects typically occur within the first few weeks of starting the medication as the body adjusts to hormonal changes and usually resolve within about three months.
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Blisovi Fe 1/20 and Weight Changes
Changes in weight can occur for some people who take Blisovi Fe 1/20, though there is no data about how frequently this occurs. Concerns about weight gain are common, but most evidence suggests that combination birth control pills like Blisovi Fe 1/20 do not cause significant or long-term weight gain.
Serious Side Effects of Blisovi Fe 1/20
While most side effects are mild and temporary, Blisovi Fe 1/20 carries the risk of serious complications, like all birth control pills. The most serious complication or side effect is blood clots that can travel to the lungs.
Other serious side effects include:
- Heart attack
- Stroke
- Benign liver tumors
- Gallbladder disease
Who Should Avoid Blisovi Fe 1/20?
While most people can safely take Blisovi Fe 1/20, some individuals should avoid it. These include:
- Anyone with a clotting disorder
- Smokers, especially those over 35 years old
- Individuals with high blood pressure
During breastfeeding, especially in the first six weeks or so, birth control containing estrogen can impact milk production. It is important to consult a doctor to determine if Blisovi Fe 1/20 is appropriate while breastfeeding.
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Black Box Warning
Blisovi Fe 1/20 carries a black box warning about an increased risk of serious cardiovascular events from cigarette smoking. This risk is especially high in women who are over 35 years old and smoke regularly.
Drug Interactions
Most medications are safe to take with Blisovi Fe 1/20, but some may cause unwanted drug interactions. Always consult a healthcare provider about other prescription drugs, over-the-counter medicines, and herbal supplements being taken before starting Blisovi Fe 1/20.
Managing Side Effects
While you may not be able to avoid all the side effects of Blisovi Fe 1/20, you can take steps to minimize them.
- For breakthrough bleeding, know that it’s usually not a reason to worry, but seek help if the spotting is interfering with your life.
- Visit your provider right away or seek emergency medical care if you have signs of blood clots, heart attacks, or other serious conditions after taking Blisovi Fe 1/20.
Important Considerations Before Starting Blisovi Fe 1/20
Before starting Blisovi Fe 1/20, it's important to discuss your medical history and any other medications you are taking with your healthcare provider. This includes:
- Current and past health conditions, especially high blood pressure, headaches/migraines, irregular periods, and gallbladder, liver, or heart problems.
- Upcoming major surgeries. Your health care provider may ask you to stop taking norethindrone acetate/ethinyl estradiol and ferrous fumarate at least four weeks before your surgery and may wait at least two weeks after your surgery to start you on norethindrone acetate/ethinyl estradiol and ferrous fumarate.
- Smoking habits. Smoking can increase your risk of getting heart disease, which increases your risk of having a heart attack, stroke, or blood clots.
- Diabetes. Norethindrone acetate/ethinyl estradiol and ferrous fumarate may increase your blood sugar.
- High Triglycerides. Taking norethindrone acetate/ethinyl estradiol and ferrous fumarate may cause an increase in your triglyceride levels and may increase your chances of having pancreatitis.
- History of depression. Taking norethindrone acetate/ethinyl estradiol and ferrous fumarate may worsen depression.
- Hereditary angioedema. Taking norethindrone acetate/ethinyl estradiol and ferrous fumarate may increase your chances of having angioedema or make your angioedema symptoms worse if you have a history of angioedema.
- Skin Issues. If you have had a condition that led to dark patches of skin around your forehead, nose, cheeks, and mouth (chloasma), especially during pregnancy, because you may have an increased chance of having chloasma while taking norethindrone acetate/ethinyl estradiol and ferrous fumarate.
Usage and Precautions
- Take Blisovi Fe 1/20 exactly as prescribed by your healthcare provider.
- Take it at the same time every day. Consider using a calendar or app to help you remember.
- After taking the last tablet in the blister pack, start with the first tablet in a new blister pack.
- If you miss a period, check for pregnancy. The risk of pregnancy increases with missed pills.
- Talk to your health care provider about backup birth control options (condoms, spermicide).
- If you throw up (vomit) or have diarrhea, this medicine may not work well. If you throw up or have severe diarrhea up to four hours after taking an active tablet, count this as a missed tablet. You may need to use backup birth control.
- If you feel sick to your stomach or have nausea during the first few months of taking norethindrone acetate/ethinyl estradiol and ferrous fumarate, do not stop taking the medicine. This should usually go away on its own. If your nausea does not go away or gets worse, call your health care provider.
Serious Warning Signs
Seek immediate medical attention if you experience any of the following:
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- Pain in the chest, groin, or legs, especially the calves
- Difficulty with breathing
- A sudden, severe headache
- Slurred speech
- A sudden, unexplained shortness of breath
- A sudden loss of coordination
- Vision changes
Blisovi Fe 1/20 and Mental Health
Depression is another possible side effect of Blisovi Fe 1/20. Some users also report nervousness. Mood swings or emotional changes can occur in some individuals. People with a history of anxiety or depression are more prone to these symptoms while taking Blisovi Fe 1/20. Mild mood swings are common when starting Blisovi Fe 1/20 and often improve as your body adjusts.
Long-Term Use Considerations
Although long-term side effects don’t typically occur while taking Blisovi Fe 1/20, they are possible. Long-term use may increase the risk of gallbladder disease and impact cardiovascular health. Some studies have shown a potentially increased risk of breast cancer and cervical cancer after using birth control pills like Blisovi Fe 1/20.
What to Do in Case of Overdose
Serious side effects from an overdose aren’t common. However, if you take more than the recommended amount, you may experience nausea and withdrawal bleeding.
User Reviews and Experiences
User reviews can provide valuable insights into the real-world experiences of individuals taking Blisovi Fe 1/20. Some users have reported experiencing worsened acne, while others have reported negative side effects such as elevated or erratic mood swings and random breast pain. It's important to note that individual experiences can vary widely.