Norgestimate-Ethinyl Estradiol

Medically Reviewed by Dr. Harshi Dhingra, M.D.

Last Reviewed: Dec 15, 2022

Directions

How To Use Norgestimate and Ethinyl Estradiol

Oral contraceptives come in 21-day or 28-day packs. You should take one pill every day by mouth. If you have a 21-day pack, take one pill every day for 21 days and then no pills for 7 days. If you have a 28-day pack, take one pill every day for 28 days and then start a new pack. Try to take your birth control at around the same time every day. To prevent nausea, take the pill with food or milk.

Read the prescription label carefully and take norgestimate and ethinyl estradiol exactly as directed by your doctor. Do not take a higher or lower dose of this medicine or take it more or less frequently than prescribed.

Your doctor will tell you when to start your birth control. This can be on the first or fifth day of your menstrual cycle or the first Sunday after bleeding begins. You may need a backup method for contraception during the first 7-9 days of taking the pill.

Oral contraceptives are available in many different doses and may contain different medications. Do not substitute one brand name for another without talking to your doctor first.

You will likely experience withdrawal bleeding, which is similar to a menstrual period when you are taking the inactive tablets (placebo) or low-dose estrogen tablets.

Missed dose: If you miss pills of norgestimate and ethinyl estradiol, follow the directions in the manufacturer’s information leaflet. Do not take more than one dose at the same time. You may not be protected against pregnancy and should use a backup method for 7-9 days or until the end of your current cycle.

Storage: Store norgestimate and ethinyl estradiol at room temperature (between 15-30° C or 59-86° F) away from moisture, heat, and direct light in a tightly closed container. Do not store medications in the bathroom where they can be exposed to moisture and heat. Keep all medications safely out of reach of children and pets.

Unused medicine: Unused or expired norgestimate and ethinyl estradiol should be disposed of in a way that children, other people, and pets cannot get to them. Do not throw norgestimate and ethinyl estradiol in the trash or flush it down the toilet. The best way to dispose of expired or unneeded norgestimate and ethinyl estradiol is through your local waste disposal company or a drug take-back program. Learn more about proper medication disposal.

NOTE: This medication guide is a summary and may not contain all possible drug information on norgestimate and ethinyl estradiol. The information contained here may not be up-to-date. This sheet is for information purposes only. If you have questions about norgestimate and ethinyl estradiol, talk to your healthcare professionals for medical advice.