Drug Name

Lynoral (Ethinyl estradiol)

Drug Uses

Lynoral is used for preventing pregnancy. It may be used for other conditions as determined by your doctor. Lynoral is a synthetic estrogen that is used to treat symptoms of menopause, certain types of breast cancer, and prostate cancer.

How Taken

Take ethinyl estradiol and norethindrone exactly as directed by your doctor.

Drug Class and Mechanism

Ethinyl estradiol is a progesterone and estrogen combination birth control pill. It works by preventing ovulation, thickening the mucus in the cervix, and changing the lining of the uterus.

Missed Dose

If you miss a dose, use it as soon as you remember. If it is near the time of the next dose, take the missed dose and resume your usual dosing schedule; this may mean taking two tablets in one day. If you miss two or more doses in a row, use an alternate birth control method (e.g., condoms, spermicides) for at least 7 days and consult the product information or your doctor for a new dosing schedule.

Storage

Store at room temperature between 59 and 86 degrees F (15 and 30 degrees C) away from light and moisture.

Warnings/Precautions

Smoking cigarettes while using this medication increases your chance of having heart problems. Do not smoke while using this medication. The risk of heart problems increases with age (in women greater than 35 years of age) and with frequent smoking (15 cigarettes per day or greater).

Possible Side Effects

Nausea, vomiting, headache, diarrhea, bleeding between menstrual periods (spotting), weight gain, acne, stomach cramps, rash, swelling or bloating, skin spots, breast tenderness, or difficulty wearing contact lenses may occur. If any of these effects persist or worsen, notify your doctor promptly. Tell your doctor immediately if any of these serious side effects occur: dizziness, flu-like symptoms (e.g., fever, cough, unusual weakness/fatigue, sore throat, muscle aches), mental/mood changes, trouble sleeping, hair loss, vaginal infections. Tell your doctor immediately if any of these unlikely but serious side effects occur: severe headache, pain in the lower legs or groin, trouble breathing, chest pain, vision changes, severe stomach pain, one-sided weakness, yellowing eyes or skin, lumps in the breast. If you notice any other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.

More Information

Do not share this medication with others. Keep all appointments with your doctor and the laboratory. Laboratory tests (e.g., potassium levels) may be performed to monitor for possible side effects to this medication. You should have a complete physical examination that includes blood pressure measurements and breast/pelvic examinations at regular intervals (e.g., once a year) or as directed by your doctor. Follow your doctor's instructions on how to examine your own breasts and report any lumps immediately. You should also be regularly screened for cervical cancer (e.g., Pap test).