Junel Fe vs. Sprintec

Are Junel Fe and Sprintec the Same Thing?

Junel Fe28 (norethindrone acetate, ethinyl estradiol, ferrous fumarate) and Sprintec (norgestimate and ethinyl estradiol) are combinations of female hormones used as contraception to prevent pregnancy. Junel Fe28 and Sprintec are also used to treat severe acne.

Junel Fe28 also contains the mineral iron.

Side effects of Junel Fe28 and Sprintec are similar and include nausea (especially when you first start taking Junel Fe28 or Sprintec), vomiting, headache, stomach cramping/bsprintecating, dizziness, vaginal itching/discomfort or discharge, breast tenderness or swelling, nipple discharge, freckles or darkening of facial skin, increased hair growth, sprintecss of scalp hair, changes in weight or appetite, problems with contact lenses, and 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.

Both Junel Fe28 and Sprintec may interact with St. John's wort, antibiotics, seizure medications, barbiturates, or HIV/AIDS medications.

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

Sprintec may also interact with phenylbutazone.

What Are Possible Side Effects of Junel Fe?

Side effects of Junel Fe include:

  • nausea (especially when you first start taking Junel Fe28),
  • vomiting,
  • headache,
  • stomach cramping/bsprintecating,
  • dizziness,
  • vaginal itching or discharge, or
  • breast tenderness or swelling,
  • nipple discharge,
  • freckles or darkening of facial skin,
  • increased hair growth,
  • sprintecss 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.

What Are Possible Side Effects of Sprintec?

Common side effects of Sprintec include:

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

What Is Junel 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.

What Is Sprintec?

Sprintec (norgestimate and ethinyl estradiol) is a combination of the female hormones estrogen and progesterone used as contraception to prevent pregnancy. Sprintec is also used to treat severe acne. Sprintec is available in generic form.

What Drugs Interact With Junel Fe?

Sprintec may interact with phenylbutazone, St. John's wort, antibiotics, seizure medicines, barbiturates, or HIV medicines. Some drugs can make ethinyl estradiol and norgestimate less effective, which may result in pregnancy. Discuss all medications you are taking with your doctor. Sprintec must not be used during pregnancy. This medication passes into breast milk, may affect milk production, and may have undesirable effects on a nursing infant. Consult your doctor before breastfeeding.

What Drugs Interact With Sprintec?

Sprintec 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 Sprintec. This drug should be discontinued if the patient becomes pregnant. Sprintec may decrease breast milk production.

How Should Junel Fe Be Taken?

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

How Should Sprintec Be Taken?

Sprintec is a 28-day regimen of tablets, with 21 days of active (containing hormones) tablets, and 7 days of inert tablets, taken as prescribed.

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References

Dailymed. Junel Fe Product Information.
https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=75bb0024-8f1a-4036-9acd-006ea430f3b7
Nurx. Sprintec Product Monograph.
https://www.nurx.com