Junel Fe 1/20 (Loestrin Fe)
Junel Fe 1/20 is safe with most prescriptions and over-the-counter medications. However, it is always a good idea to inform your healthcare provider of any medications or supplements you are taking to avoid any interactions. Some medications can reduce the effectiveness of Junel Fe 1/20, resulting in a pregnancy. Specific medications can also interfere with Junel Fe 1/20 including aromatase inhibitors, seizure medications, HIV drugs, and medications used to treat chronic hepatitis C. Junel Fe 1/20 reminder pills also contain iron so it is important to avoid any medications that should not be taken with iron.
Junel FE – Uses, Side Effects, and More
Do not use this medication 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. Do not smoke or use tobacco.
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. If overdose does occur, get medical help right away or call a poison control center.
Warnings:
Do not use this medication 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. Do not smoke or use tobacco.
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. If overdose does occur, get medical help right away or call a poison control center.
Almost two-thirds of that $3.3 trillion cost – 64% – is paid for by American tax dollars, and that amount is growing. A study by the American Journal of Public Health predicts that taxpayers will shoulder 67.3% of the burden of healthcare costs by the year 2024, Physicians for a National Health Program
Uses
This combination hormone medication is used to prevent pregnancy. It contains 2 hormones: norethindrone (a progestin) and ethinyl estradiol (an estrogen). There is a small amount of iron (ferrous fumarate) in each of the 7 inactive tablets taken during the fourth week. The inactive pills do not contain any hormones. These tablets are meant to keep you in the habit of taking 1 tablet each day and do not have enough iron to treat iron deficiency.Besides preventing pregnancy, birth control pills may make your periods more regular, decrease blood loss and painful periods, decrease your risk of ovarian cysts, and also treat acne.Using this medication does not protect you or your partner against sexually transmitted diseases (such as HIV, gonorrhea, chlamydia).
How to use Junel FE
Read the Patient Information Leaflet provided by your pharmacist before you start using this product and each time you get a refill. The leaflet contains very important information on when to take your pills and what to do if you miss a dose. If you have any questions, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
Take this medication by mouth as directed by your doctor, usually once daily. Pick a time of day that is easy for you to remember, and take your pill at the same time each day.
If you are taking the chewable tablet, you may either swallow it whole or chew it thoroughly and swallow.
It is very important to continue taking this medication exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Follow the package instructions to find the first tablet, start with the first tablet in the pack, and take them in the correct order. Do not skip any doses. Pregnancy is more likely if you miss pills, start a new pack late, or take your pill at a different time of the day than usual.
Vomiting or diarrhea can prevent your birth control pills from working well. If you have vomiting or diarrhea, you may need to use a back-up birth control method (such as condoms, spermicide). Follow the directions in the Patient Information Leaflet and check with your doctor or pharmacist for more details.
Taking this medication after your evening meal or at bedtime may help if you have any stomach upset or nausea with the medication. You may choose to take this medication at another time of day that is easier for you to remember. No matter what dosing schedule you use, it is very important that you take this medication at the same time each day, 24 hours apart. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions.
Your pill pack contains 21 pills with active medication. It also contains 7 reminder pills with iron. 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. If you do not get your period, consult your doctor.
If you are taking certain medications (such as levodopa, levothyroxine, penicillamine, tetracyclines, quinolones such as ciprofloxacin) that can interact with iron, ask your doctor whether you should throw away the reminder pills (iron tablets) each day rather than taking them. Iron can decrease the effect of these medications.
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 an additional 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. If you start on the first day of your period, you do not need to use back-up birth control the first week.
Ask your doctor or pharmacist for information about how to switch from other forms of hormonal birth control (such as patch, other birth control pills) to this product. If any information is unclear, consult the Patient Information Leaflet or your doctor or pharmacist.
Junel Fe 1/20 (Loestrin Fe)
Please note that Junel Fe 1/20 is supplied in a 3-month supply, and, for payments without insurance, will be charged at checkout.
If you prefer this specific medication, let your provider know the medication name and strength in the preference section of the health assessment.
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Product details
Get in control of your skincare and reproductive health with Junel Fe 1/20, a hormone-based, combination-type birth control medication with a low dose of estrogen. In addition to preventing pregnancy, Junel Fe 1/20 may also lighten your periods, reduce the pain associated with your periods, and treat hormone-based acne.
Birth control type:
Combination birth control pill
Recommended for:
✓ Reducing painful periods
✓ Lighter, shorter and more regular periods
| Price with Insurance | Out-of-Pocket Price |
| As little as $0 per month for the medication | As little as $15 per month for the medication |
We also charge a $25 medication consultation, which includes unlimited access to our medical team for a full year.
See why 1,000,000+ patients have trusted Nurx for medical care online:
| Nurx | Other Brands |
| ✓ Affordable ✓ Insurance accepted ✓ No subscription needed ✓ Unlimited, ongoing medical care from an app ✓ $0 shipping — always |
Expensive Insurance not accepted Subscription required Medical care limited by number of credits $5 to $20 shipping fees |
Brand name:
Loestrin Fe
Also known as:
Loestrin FE 1/20, Microgestin Fe 1/20, Gildess Fe 1/20, Larin Fe 1/20, Tarina Fe 1/20, Blisovi Fe 1/20, Norethindrone acetate-Ethinyl estradiol
For our refund and return policy, please see our terms of use.
Pricing without Insurance Array
Additional Details
- Prevents pregnancy
- Decreases risk of ovarian cysts
- Low dose estrogen
- Treats acne
- Regulates periods
- 21 active + 7 inactive
- Norethindrone [Progestin] (1 mg)
- Ethinyl Estradiol [Estrogen] (0.02 mg)
- Ferrous Fumarate [Iron] (75 mg)
- Do not use if you have a history of blood clots or cancer.
- Avoid use with chronic migraines.
- Not intended for pregnant women or women trying to get pregnant.
- Stop use if you have an upcoming major surgery.
FAQ
Junel Fe 1/20 is delivered in an easy-to-use container. Each day is labeled and you will take the pills in order at the same time each day. For the first 21 days, you will take a hormone pill and then for the last 7 days, you will take a reminder pill, which contains a small amount of iron.
Yes. Junel Fe 1/20 is often recommended because of its low dose of estrogen. You will need a prescription for it, though, which you can get through one of the physicians that we partner with. This birth control medication is covered under most insurance plans. Don’t have insurance? No problem! You can fill your prescription at an affordable price at Nurx. Your Junel Fe 1/20 will be conveniently delivered to your home in a discreet package.
It is always advisable to consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new medication. Your doctor or Nurx healthcare professional can help you determine if you are at risk of an allergic reaction. Allergic reactions, although very rare, include hives, itching, facial swelling, and trouble breathing. You should also discuss your health history with your physician before starting Junel Fe 1/20. Diabetics may need to monitor their blood sugar levels more often.
There is always the possibility, although rare, of side effects when taking hormone-based birth control medication. Because Junel Fe 1/20 is a low estrogen birth control medication, very few women will experience side effects including nausea, headache, breast tenderness, weight gain, water retention, and irregular periods. Some side effects including irregular periods will go away after your body has adjusted to the medication. Serious side effects are extremely rare but could include blood clots, stroke, migraines, and vision changes.
Junel Fe 1/20 is safe with most prescriptions and over-the-counter medications. However, it is always a good idea to inform your healthcare provider of any medications or supplements you are taking to avoid any interactions. Some medications can reduce the effectiveness of Junel Fe 1/20, resulting in a pregnancy. Specific medications can also interfere with Junel Fe 1/20 including aromatase inhibitors, seizure medications, HIV drugs, and medications used to treat chronic hepatitis C. Junel Fe 1/20 reminder pills also contain iron so it is important to avoid any medications that should not be taken with iron.
Junel Fe 1/20 not only regulates and lightens your periods, but it can also treat hormone-based acne. This birth control medication is sometimes prescribed to treat severe acne.
It is a misconception that you will gain weight when taking birth control pills. There is a risk of retaining water, which is often confused as weight gain. This retention, however, should decrease after your body adjusts to the birth control medication.
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