Junel Fe 1/20 is an oral contraceptive used to prevent pregnancy. It contains a combination of two hormones: norethindrone (a progestin) and ethinyl estradiol (an estrogen). Additionally, each pack includes seven inactive tablets containing ferrous fumarate (iron) to help combat iron loss during menstruation. While highly effective in preventing pregnancy, it's essential to be aware of potential side effects and interactions.
Who Should Not Use Junel Fe?
Certain individuals should avoid using Junel Fe 1/20 due to potential health risks. It is crucial to consult with a healthcare provider to determine if this medication is suitable for you. Junel Fe should not be used if you smoke cigarettes/use tobacco and are over 35 years old. Smoking raises your risk of stroke, heart attack, blood clots, and high blood pressure from hormonal birth control (such as the pill, patch, ring). The risk of these serious problems increases with age and with the number of cigarettes you smoke.
Contraindications:
- Allergies: Individuals allergic to norethindrone acetate, ethinyl estradiol, ferrous fumarate, or any ingredients in the specific product dispensed should not use it.
- Smoking: Women who are 35 years or older and smoke should not take norethindrone acetate/ethinyl estradiol and ferrous fumarate due to the increased risk of cardiovascular events.
- History of Blood Clots: Those with a current or past history of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) or pulmonary embolism (PE) should avoid this medication.
- Heart Attack or Stroke: Individuals who have had a stroke or heart attack should not use Junel Fe, as it can increase the risk of another event.
- Blood and Blood Vessel Problems: People with conditions that make their blood more prone to clotting (hypercoagulation) or a history of plaque buildup in blood vessels (coronary artery disease) or cerebrovascular disease should not use this medication.
- Heart Problems: Individuals with heart rhythm problems (such as atrial fibrillation) or heart valve problems should avoid Junel Fe.
- Increased Blood Pressure: Women with uncontrolled high blood pressure or high blood pressure with vascular disease should not use this medication.
- Diabetes: Those with diabetes who are over 35, have high blood pressure, or have kidney, eye, nerve, or blood vessel damage should avoid Junel Fe. It should also be avoided if you have had diabetes for more than 20 years.
- Headaches or Migraines: Individuals with migraine with aura or certain other types of headaches should not use Junel Fe.
- Cancer: Women with current or past breast cancer should not use Junel Fe. Some products should not be used if you have endometrial cancer or any other known or suspected cancer that is estrogen-dependent.
- Liver Problems: Those with liver tumors or liver disease should not use this medication.
- Unusual Vaginal Bleeding: Women with unexplained vaginal bleeding should not use Junel Fe until the cause is determined by a healthcare provider.
- Jaundice: Individuals with a history of jaundice during pregnancy or while using birth control should not use Junel Fe.
- Pregnancy: Junel Fe should not be used during pregnancy.
- Drug Interactions: Certain medications can interact with Junel Fe, making it less effective or increasing the risk of side effects.
Important Considerations Before Using Junel Fe
Before starting Junel Fe, it's crucial to have a comprehensive discussion with your healthcare provider. This discussion should include your medical history, current health conditions, and any medications or supplements you are taking. Some important points to discuss include:
- Current and Past Health Conditions: Inform your doctor about any existing health issues, such as high blood pressure, headaches/migraines, irregular periods, gallbladder, liver, or heart problems.
- Major Surgeries: Discuss any upcoming surgeries with your doctor, as they may advise you to stop taking Junel Fe at least four weeks before surgery and wait at least two weeks after surgery to restart it.
- Smoking: Be honest about your smoking habits, as smoking increases the risk of heart disease, heart attack, stroke, or blood clots.
- Diabetes: Inform your doctor if you have prediabetes or diabetes, as Junel Fe may increase blood sugar levels.
- High Triglycerides: Discuss any history of high triglyceride levels, as Junel Fe may further increase these levels and raise the risk of pancreatitis.
- Depression: If you have a history of depression, discuss this with your doctor, as Junel Fe may worsen depression.
- Angioedema: If you have hereditary angioedema, taking Junel Fe may increase your chances of having angioedema or make your angioedema symptoms worse.
- Skin Issues: If you have had chloasma, avoid exposure to the sun and to ultraviolet (UV) rays from tanning booths or sun lamps.
- Pregnancy and Breastfeeding: Do not take norethindrone acetate/ethinyl estradiol and ferrous fumarate and tell your health care provider if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. If you become pregnant, stop taking norethindrone acetate/ethinyl estradiol and ferrous fumarate right away and contact your health care provider. Norethindrone acetate/ethinyl estradiol and ferrous fumarate passes into breast milk. Tell your health care provider if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. Norethindrone acetate/ethinyl estradiol and ferrous fumarate may decrease the amount of breastmilk you make.
How to Take Junel Fe
To maximize the effectiveness of Junel Fe, it's essential to follow your doctor's instructions carefully. Here are some key points to remember:
- Take it as prescribed. Do not share norethindrone acetate/ethinyl estradiol and ferrous fumarate with other people, even if they have the same condition as you. It may harm them.
- Follow the Patient Labeling that comes with your medicine on how to start norethindrone acetate/ethinyl estradiol and ferrous fumarate.
- Take at the Same Time Every Day: Take norethindrone acetate/ethinyl estradiol and ferrous fumarate at the same time everyday. Consider using a calendar or app to help you remember to take norethindrone acetate/ethinyl estradiol and ferrous fumarate at the same time each day.
- Follow the Pack Instructions: Take one active pill (with hormones) once daily for 21 days in a row. Take one inactive pill (with iron) once daily for 7 days in a row after you have taken the last active pill unless otherwise directed by your doctor. You should have your period during the fourth week of the pack. After you have taken the last iron tablet in the pack, start a new pack the next day whether or not you have your period.
- First-Time Use: If this is the first time you are using this medication and you are not switching from another form of hormonal birth control (such as patch, other birth control pills), take the first tablet in the pack on the first Sunday following the beginning of your menstrual period or on the first day of your period. If your period begins on a Sunday, begin taking this medication on that day. For the first cycle of use only, use a backup form of non-hormonal birth control (such as condoms, spermicide) for the first 7 days to prevent pregnancy until the medication has enough time to work.
- Missed Dose: If a dose is missed, check the package insert or call the doctor to find out what to do. You may need to use backup birth control (such as condoms, spermicide) to prevent pregnancy.
- Vomiting or Diarrhea: Vomiting or diarrhea can prevent your birth control pills from working well. If you have vomiting or diarrhea, you may need to use a backup birth control method (such as condoms, spermicide).
Potential Side Effects of Junel Fe
Like all medications, Junel Fe can cause side effects. While many people experience no or only minor side effects, it's important to be aware of the possibilities.
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Common side effects may include:
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Headache
- Bloating
- Breast tenderness
- Swelling of the ankles/feet (fluid retention)
- Weight change
- Vaginal bleeding between periods (spotting) or missed/irregular periods
These side effects are usually temporary and may subside as your body adjusts to the medication. However, if any of these effects persist or worsen, it's essential to inform your doctor or pharmacist promptly.
Serious side effects are rare but require immediate medical attention. These include:
- Blood clots (such as heart attack, stroke, blood clots in the lungs or legs)
- Severe allergic reaction
Smoking cigarettes while using this drug raises the chance of severe heart and blood-related side effects. This chance is raised with age (mainly older than 35 years of age). It is also raised with the number of cigarettes smoked.## This drug may cause your child to swell or keep fluid in the body.## Period (menstrual) changes.## This drug may cause dark patches of skin on your childâs face. Avoid lots of sun, sunlamps, and tanning beds.
Junel Fe and Weight Changes: What to Expect
One of the most common concerns among women starting Junel Fe is the potential for weight gain. While some individuals may experience weight changes, it's important to understand the nuances of this issue.
Understanding the Link
- Fluid Retention: Estrogen, a component of Junel Fe, can lead to water retention, resulting in bloating or temporary weight gain. This is often a temporary side effect that diminishes as your body adjusts to the medication.
- Increased Appetite: Progesterone, another hormone in Junel Fe, can increase appetite in some individuals, potentially leading to increased food intake and weight gain.
- Individual Response: It's important to remember that everyone's body responds differently to hormones. Some individuals may experience weight gain, while others may not.
Research Findings
A review of 49 studies couldn't find enough evidence to link birth control pills with weight gain in most people. As with other possible side effects of the pill, any weight gain is generally minimal and usually goes away within 2 to 3 months as your body adjusts to the hormones.
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What to Do If You Experience Weight Changes
If you experience unwanted weight changes after starting Junel Fe, consult your doctor. They can assess the situation and suggest alternative hormonal contraception or lifestyle modifications.
Tips for Managing Weight While on Junel Fe
Here are some general tips to support a healthy body size:
- Exercise Regularly: Aim for 30 to 60 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity most days of the week.
- Practice Mindful Eating: If Junel Fe seems to make you hungrier, you may take in fewer calories if you eat slowly and opt for smaller portions on your plate.
- Manage Your Stress: Long-term stress is linked to weight gain for many reasons.
- Talk to Your Doctor: If youâre having trouble losing weight on your own, ask your doctor for help.
Junel Fe and Acne
While not originally intended to treat acne, studies have found that some birth control medications can reduce breakouts and inflammation. Your Nurx medical provider will partner with you to find the best care for your symptoms and medical concerns.
Other Important Considerations
- Drug Interactions: Certain drugs, herbal products, or health problems may cause hormone-based birth control to not work as well. Be sure the doctor knows about all of your childâs drugs and health problems. Tell your doctor when you start any new drug, and discuss if you should use reliable backup birth control. The iron in the inactive pill can decrease the absorption of certain drugs, especially if you take them around the same time. These drugs include bisphosphonates (such as alendronate), levodopa, penicillamine, quinolone antibiotics (such as ciprofloxacin, levofloxacin), tetracycline antibiotics (such as doxycycline, minocycline), thyroid medications (such as levothyroxine), among others.
- Lab Tests: This drug may affect certain lab tests.
- Regular Check-ups: Regular complete physical exams which include lab and/or medical tests (such as blood pressure, breast exam, pelvic exam, Pap smear) should be done while you are taking this medication. Follow your doctor's instructions for examining your breasts, and report any lumps right away. Keep all medical and lab appointments.
- Storage: Store at room temperature away from light and moisture. Do not store in the bathroom. Do not flush medications down the toilet or pour them into a drain unless instructed to do so. Properly discard this product when it is expired or no longer needed.
- Accidental Overdose: Accidental overdose of iron-containing products is a leading cause of fatal poisoning in children younger than 6 years. Keep this product out of reach of children.
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