Ethinylestradiol Side Effects and Drug Interactions
Ethinylestradiol Side Effects, Reactions, and Drug Interactions
The side effects and reactions that can occur with increased Ethinylestradiol intake are many and varied. It is important to remember that not everyone experiences all of the side effects attributed to EE ingestion. Side effects of a severe nature are quite rare in women who take care of themselves and live a healthy lifestyle. As usual, you are deemed at higher risk if you smoke while taking contraceptives of any kind. It is said that women are generally more prone to complications due to pregnancy than those that may occur because of the intake of oral contraceptives. Many of the less severe side effects due to taking ‘the pill’ will become lessened and generally disappear once the body adjusts to the drug.
The development of abnormal growths, fibroids or cysts filled with fluid or a semi solid substance can be concerning to those who experience this adverse reaction. Many physicians will make the automatic assumption there is nothing to worry about but these formations should be investigated further. Some may experience blood in the urine and or cloudy discharge and even a decline in urine output. A bloated feeling of fullness can occur along with body aches and pains. Some users experience a cough with congestion that produces mucus and a general feeling of malaise or illness along with throbbing headaches.
There may be some discomfort when urinating or a need to urinate more frequently as well as a white or clear discharge from the vaginal region and nuisance itching in the rectal, vaginal or overall genital areas.. Some users experience a period of depression or a sad and empty feeling. Some may notice a lack of appetite and loss of strength. There could be a distinct loss of pleasure or interest in sexual intercourse and pain associated with sex. Some users complain of pain or neuralgia around the eyes and cheekbones and redness in the face, neck and chest region.
If the ethinylestradiol contraceptive is in skin patch form there can be redness, irritation and itchiness in that area where it is applied. Some will suffer from the chills and shivering and experience sleeplessness, stuffy nose and allergy-like symptoms. A tired feeling and trouble concentrating, sudden sweats may happen along with swollen neck glands, insomnia voice changes and a sensation of gassiness.
All these things considered, one must remember that it is important and FDA stipulated that any and all side effects and adverse reactions to medications be noted and presented. There is the potential for other side effects to occur other than those mentioned here. Your physician should be contacted if you are bothered by any symptom you feel is brought on by the introduction of ethinylestradiol based contraceptives into your system, especially in the early phase of the drug protocol.
Medication Interactions can occur when taking most medications and ethinylestradiol is no different. Because of the nature of the compound Ethinylestradiol there are a host of potential drug interactions a user should be aware. There may be little or no chance of the contraindication ever happening because the user may well never have a need for any of the drugs mentioned. That said, below is a list of medications anyone using or contemplating using ethinylestradiol should be aware if the need arises to take another drug with EE.
Consult with your physician or clinical care advisor before combining any of these medicines with Ethinylestradiol:
• Acetaminophen (i.e., Tylenol) (with long-term, high-dose use)
• Amiodarone (i.e., Cordarone)
• Anabolic steroids (Nandrolone [i.e., Anabolin], Oxandrolone [i.e., Anavar], Oxymetholone [i.e., Anadrol, Stanozolol [i.e., Winstrol])
• Androgens (male hormones)
• Anti-infectives by mouth or by injection (medicine for infection)
• Antithyroid agents (medicine for overactive thyroid)
• Carbamazepine (i.e., Tegretol)
• Carmustine (i.e., BiCNU)
• Chloroquine (i.e., Aralen)
• Dantrolene (i.e., Dantrium)
• Daunorubicin (i.e., Cerubidine)
• Disulfiram (i.e., Antabuse)
• Divalproex (i.e., Depakote)
• Etretinate (i.e., Tegison)
• Gold salts (medicine for arthritis)
• Hydroxychloroquine (i.e., Plaquenil)
• Isoniazid
• Mercaptopurine (i.e., Purinethol)
• Methotrexate (i.e., Mexate)
• Methyldopa (i.e., Aldomet)
• Naltrexone (i.e., Trexan) (with long-term, high-dose use)
• Oral contraceptives (birth control pills) containing estrogen
• Phenothiazines (Acetophenazine [i.e., Tindal], Chlorpromazine [i.e., Thorazine], Fluphenazine [i.e., Prolixin], Mesoridazine [i.e., Serentil], Perphenazine [i.e., Trilafon], Prochlorperazine [i.e., Compazine], Promazine [i.e., Sparine], Promethazine [i.e., Phenergan], Thioridazine [i.e., Mellaril], Trifluoperazine [i.e., Stelazine], Triflupromazine [i.e., Vesprin], Trimeprazine [i.e., Temaril])
• Phenytoin (i.e., Dilantin)
• Plicamycin (i.e., Mithracin)
• Valproic acid (i.e., Depakene) — Use of these medicines with estrogens may increase the chance of problems occurring that affect the liver
• Cyclosporine (i.e., Sandimmune) — Estrogens can prevent cyclosporine’s removal from the body; this can lead to cyclosporine causing kidney or liver problems.
Every drug, not just ethinylestradiol, can have multiple drug interactions. It is fortunate that today, many if not all pharmacies will provide a person with a list of these potential drug interactions when they have their prescriptions filled. If the pharmacist does not include this information with your prescribed medication simply, ask them for the drug interaction printout.