Ethinyl Estradiol

Description

Ethinyl estradiol, which is the main constituent of Ethinyl Estradiol is a synthetic medicine very similar in action to female sex hormone, estrogen, produced by the ovaries. It is primarily used in combination with other medicine as an oral contraceptive. It is also used for treating hormone deficient conditions and other associated complications.

Side effects

Major & minor side effects for Ethinyl Estradiol

  • Breast pain and tenderness
  • Vomiting
  • Weight gain
  • Dizziness
  • Depression
  • Back pain
  • Headache
  • Vaginal discharge with no odor
  • Flu like symptoms
  • Swelling of face, lips, eyelids, tongue, hands and feet
  • Troubled breathing and swallowing
  • Change in the texture of breast skin and nipples
  • Inverted nipples

Uses of Ethinyl Estradiol

What is it prescribed for?

  • Post menopausal hormonal replacement therapy
  • Female hypogonadism
  • Palliative treatment of cancer
  • Oral Contraceptives
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Concerns

Commonly asked questions

  • Onset of action
    The effect of this medicine can be observed within 4-6 hours of oral administration.
  • Duration of effect
    The effect of this medicine lasts for 3-4 days
  • Safe with alcohol?
    Avoid the uptake of alcohol while taking this medicine.
  • Is it habit forming?
    No habit forming tendencies were reported.
  • Usage in pregnancy?
    Use of this medicine is not recommended if you are pregnant or planning a pregnancy in immediate future. Contact your doctor if you suspect a pregnancy while being treated with this medicine.
  • Usage while breast-feeding?
    This medicine should be used with caution in women who are breastfeeding. Consult your doctor before using this medicine.

Allergy

This medicine is not recommended for use in patients who have a known allergy to estrogen products or any other ingredient present along with it.

Undiagnosed vaginal bleeding

This medicine is not recommended for use if you have an abnormal episode of vaginal bleeding which was not diagnosed.

Heart and blood vessel disorder

This medicine is not recommended for use in patients having a disease of the heart or blood vessels viz. deep vein thrombosis, recent heart attack, other blood clotting disorders etc.

Estrogen-dependent tumor

This medicine is not recommended for use in patients having cancer which is attributed to abnormal levels of the hormone estrogen in the body for prolonged duration.

Liver disease

This medicine is not recommended for use in patients having an impairment of liver function owing to a disease or other contributing factors.
Warnings for special population

Pregnancy

Use of this medicine is not recommended if you are pregnant or planning a pregnancy in immediate future. Contact your doctor if you suspect a pregnancy while being treated with this medicine.

Breast-feeding

This medicine should be used with caution in women who are breastfeeding. Consult your doctor before using this medicine.
General warnings

Abnormal vaginal bleeding

This medicine should not be given to women having undiagnosed abnormal vaginal bleeding. Appropriate tests should be performed to rule out cancer in all cases of abnormal and persistent bleeding before treatment with ethinyl estradiol is initiated.

Cardiovascular risks

This medicine has been associated with an increased risk of stroke, heart attack, and other complications associated with the heart. It should be used with caution in patients having a heart disease or are exposed to the risk factors.

Breast cancer

Use of this medicine increases the risks of breast cancer and hence should be used at the lowest doses and the duration of treatment should be kept as low as possible.

Jaundice

Use of this medicine can cause yellowing of the eyes and skin due to its effect on the liver and the gall bladder. Report the presence of any symptom indicative of jaundice to the doctor on priority. Use of this medicine should be stopped in such cases.

Oedema

Use of this medicine, especially the topical forms, may cause fluid retention or other associated problems in women. Any swelling of the eye, throat, tongue, arms, and feet should be reported to the doctor.

Abnormalities in vision

Use of this medicine has been associated with partial or complete loss of vision in some rare cases. Any abnormalities in vision should be promptly reported to the doctor. Special precautions should be taken if the patient is wearing contact lenses.

Formation of blood clots

Use of this medicine has been associated with the formation of blood clots especially in the elderly and people who smoked.

Pediatric use

Use of this medicine in children as the safety and efficacy are yet to be established.

Missed Dose

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for the next scheduled dose then the missed dose can be skipped.

Overdose

Contact your doctor if an overdose is suspected. Symptoms of overdose may include nausea, vomiting, or vaginal bleeding.
All drugs interact differently for person to person. You should check all the possible interactions with your doctor before starting any medicine.
Interaction with Alcohol

Description

Use of alcohol may cause an increase in frequency and severity of certain adverse effects.

Instructions

Avoid the uptake of alcohol while taking this medicine.
Interaction with Medicine

Carbamazepine

Prednisolone

Tetracycline

Tranexamic Acid

Warfarin

Sulfadiazine

Disease interactions

Abnormal vaginal bleeding

This medicine should be used with caution if the patient has had an episode of abnormal vaginal bleeding especially if the intended use is for a long duration. It is advised to undergo a diagnostic test to ascertain the reason for the abnormal bleeding. Conditions like endometrial hyperplasia should be ruled out before starting the therapy with ethinyl estradiol.

Estrogen-dependent tumor

This medicine is not recommended for use in patients having a tumor caused due to abnormal levels of estrogen in the body. The tumor may be of the endometrium or the breasts. Suitable diagnostic tests should be performed before starting treatment with estradiol.

Hypertension

This medicine should be used with extreme caution in patients having high blood pressure. The risk of adverse effects on the heart and blood vessels are extremely high in such cases. Suitable dose adjustment and safety monitoring is a must in such cases.

Heart and blood vessel disorder

Use of this medicine is not recommended for use in patients who have had or are currently having a disease of the heart and blood vessels. Your doctor may determine the best course of treatment after assessing the severity of the condition.

Hepatic neoplasms

Use of this medicine is not recommended if the patient has cancer of the liver is suspected of having it. Your doctor may decide the best course of treatment after assessing the condition.
Food interactions
Information not available.
Lab interactions
Information not available.
Take Ethinyl Estradiol as instructed by the doctor. Do not take this medicine in larger or smaller quantities or for longer durations than recommended. It is advised to do regular follow ups with the doctor while taking this medicine.
Miscelleneous

Can be taken with or without food, as advised by your doctor

To be taken as instructed by doctor

May cause sleepiness

How it works
This medicine works by replacing or replenishing the hormone estrogen that is normally produced in the body.
Legal Status

Approved

Approved

Approved

Approved

Classification

Category

Estrogens

Schedule

Schedule H

Ethinyl Estradiol - DrugBank [Internet]. Drugbank.ca. 2017 [cited 12 May 2017]. Available from:

https://www.drugbank.ca/drugs/DB00977

Ethinyl Estradiol | C20H24O2 - PubChem [Internet]. Pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov. 2017 [cited 12 May 2017]. Available from:

https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/5991

[Internet]. 2017 [cited 16 November 2017]. Available from:

https://www.medicines.org.uk/emcmobile/PIL.12752.latest.pdf

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Information on this page was last updated on 16 Nov 2017

Disclaimer

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