Junel Fe vs. Lo Loestrin Fe

Junel Fe28 (norethindrone acetate, ethinyl estradiol, ferrous fumarate) and Lo Loestrin Fe (norethindrone acetate and ethinyl estradiol, ethinyl estradiol, ferrous fumarate) are combinations of female hormones and the mineral iron used as contraception to prevent pregnancy.

Junel Fe28 is also used to treat severe acne.

Side effects of Junel Fe28 and Lo Loestrin Fe that are similar include nausea, vomiting, headache, stomach cramping/bloating, breast tenderness or swelling, and weight changes. Vaginal bleeding between periods (spotting) or missed/irregular menstrual periods may occur, especially during the first few months of use. Acne may improve or get worse.

Side effects of Junel Fe28 that are different from Lo Loestrin Fe include dizziness, vaginal itching or discharge, nipple discharge, freckles or darkening of facial skin, increased hair growth, loss of scalp hair, changes in appetite, problems with contact lenses, and decreased sex drive.

Side effects of Lo Loestrin Fe that are different from Junel Fe28 include swelling of the ankles or feet (fluid retention).

Both Junel Fe28 and Lo Loestrin Fe may interact with St. John's wort, seizure medications, and HIV/AIDS medications.

Junel Fe28 may also interact with acetaminophen, ascorbic acid (vitamin C), prednisolone, theophylline, antibiotics, and barbiturates.

Lo Loestrin Fe may also interact with aromatase inhibitors, ospemifene, tamoxifen, tizanidine, tranexamic acid, drugs to treat chronic hepatitic C, griseofulvin, modafinil, and rifamycins.

Side effects of Junel Fe include:

• nausea (especially when you first start taking Junel Fe28),
• vomiting,
• headache,
• stomach cramping/bloating,
• dizziness,
• vaginal itching or discharge, or
• breast tenderness or swelling,
• nipple discharge,
• freckles or darkening of facial skin,
• increased hair growth,
• loss of scalp hair,
• changes in weight or appetite,
• problems with contact lenses, or
• decreased sex drive.
• Acne may improve or get worse.
• Vaginal bleeding between periods (spotting) or missed/irregular menstrual periods may occur, especially during the first few months of use.

Common side effects of Lo Loestrin Fe include:

• breast tenderness,
• headache,
• acne,
• nausea,
• vomiting,
• bloating,
• swelling of the ankles or feet (fluid retention), or
• weight changes.
• Vaginal bleeding between periods (spotting) or missed/irregular periods may occur, especially during the first few months of use.

Serious side effects of Lo Loestrin Fe are:

• vascular problems (deep venous thrombosis),
• liver disease, and
• cholecystitis, which can be exacerbated by smoking tobacco.
• Women over 35 who smoke are advised not to take Lo Loestrin Fe.

Junel Fe28 (norethindrone acetate, ethinyl estradiol, ferrous fumarate) is a combination of female hormones and the mineral iron used as contraception to prevent pregnancy. Junel Fe28 is also used to treat severe acne.

Lo Loestrin Fe (norethindrone acetate and ethinyl estradiol, ethinyl estradiol tablets) is a packet of two combination drugs and two placebo tablets used for prevention of pregnancy in women.

Junel Fe may interact with acetaminophen, ascorbic acid (vitamin C), prednisolone, theophylline, St. John's wort, antibiotics, seizure medications, barbiturates, or HIV or AIDS medications. Tell your doctor all medications and supplements you use. Junel Fe must not be used during pregnancy. If you become pregnant or think you may be pregnant, tell your doctor. If you have just given birth or had a pregnancy loss/abortion after the first 3 months, talk with your doctor about birth control, and find out when it is safe to use birth control containing estrogen, such as this medication.

Lo Loestrin Fe may interact with aromatase inhibitors, ospemifene, tamoxifen, tizanidine, tranexamic acid, drugs to treat chronic hepatitic C, griseofulvin, modafinil, rifamycins, St. John's wort, drugs used to treat seizures, and HIV drugs. Tell your doctor all medications and supplements you use. Women who currently have or have had breast cancer should not use Lo Loestrin Fe. This drug should be discontinued if the patient becomes pregnant. Lo Loestrin Fe may decrease breast milk production.

Junel Fe28 must be taken exactly as directed. It is taken as a continuous administration regimen consisting of 21 light yellow or pink tablets of Junel, and 7 brown non-hormone containing tablets of ferrous fumarate. There are no "off-tablet" days.

Lo Loestrin Fe is available in single packets (blister packets) containing 28 tablets with the following concentrations: 24 tablets each containing 1 mg norethindrone acetate and 10 meg ethinyl estradiol, two tablets each containing 10 meg ethinyl estradiol, and two tablets each containing 75 mg ferrous fumarate. To achieve maximum contraceptive effectiveness, Lo Loestrin Fe must be taken exactly as directed. Take one tablet by mouth at the same time every day. Tablets must be taken in the order directed on the blister pack. Tablets should not be skipped or taken at intervals exceeding 24 hours.