Desogestrel and Ethinyl Estradiol (Velivet) Side Effects

Common side effects of desogestrel and ethinyl estradiol are listed below. Tell your doctor if these side effects are severe or continue after a few days.

• Melasma or chloasma (discolored patches on sun-exposed skin)
• Breast enlargement or tenderness
• Fluid retention
• Changes in appetite
• Weight changes
• Headache 
• Stomach pain
• Nausea
• Intolerance to contact lenses

Rarely, desogestrel-ethinyl estradiol can cause more serious side effects that require immediate medical attention. Call your doctor without delay or seek emergency medical care if you experience the following adverse reactions:

• An unusual or allergic reaction with skin rash, hives, itching
• Swelling of the face, eyes, lips, tongue, or throat
• Sudden troubled breathing or sudden unexplained shortness of breath
• Blood clots (leg swelling, foot or leg pains, chest pain, shortness of breath)
• Severe stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, fever (signs of gallbladder problems)
• Pain in the right upper abdomen, nausea, loss of appetite, dark urine, light-colored stools, yellowing of the skin or eyes, unusual weakness (signs of liver injury)
• Increased blood pressure
• New or worsening headaches
• Sudden numbness or weakness, confusion, dizziness, difficulty speaking, difficulty walking, loss of balance or coordination, severe headache, changes in vision (signs of a stroke)
• Vaginal itching, discharge, or odor (signs of a yeast infection)
• Worsening depression or changes in mood
• Change in menstrual flow, irregular menstrual periods, or persistent or recurrent breakthrough bleeding between menstrual periods

The above list may not include all the potential adverse effects of desogestrel and ethinyl estradiol. Contact your healthcare professional if your side effects are unusual or severe or if they do not get better over time. You can also report unusual side effects to the Food and Drug Administration at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Desogestrel and ethinyl estradiol (Velivet) Overdose: In case of an overdose of desogestrel and ethinyl estradiol, call your doctor immediately. You can also call the local poison control center or the national poison control center at 1-800-222-1222. Call 911 if a person cannot be awakened, has trouble breathing, has collapsed, or has had a seizure.

Source: FDA