What Is Estarylla?
Estarylla is a combination hormone medication, which contains progestin (norgestimate) and estrogen (ethinyl estradiol). It is used to prevent pregnancy by inhibiting ovulation (release of an egg during a woman's menstrual period). It also prevents the sperm to reach the egg by making the vaginal fluid thicker along with changing the uterine lining to prevent the fertilized egg to attach to the uterus (womb). If the fertilized egg is not implanted in the uterus, the body sheds the uterine lining, and the female's menstrual period starts.
Birth control pills can also correct menstrual periods and make them more regular, make periods less painful, decrease blood loss, treat acne, and help reduce the risk of developing ovarian cysts. However, this medication does not protect women from contracting sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), such as chlamydia, HIV, or gonorrhea.
Proper Usage
Before using this medication, read the Patient Information Leaflet provided by the pharmacist. You may ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information or if you have any questions about the product.
The product is available in a blister pack. One packet has 28 tablets with different colors. After the initial treatment to prevent pregnancy, the body needs to adjust to the medication for seven days. For this reason, you may also use another form of contraception for the first seven days. If the next dose is taken within 24 hours, then optimal effects will be achieved.
If you miss a dose, there are chances of pregnancy. During the first few months of starting the treatment, you may feel sick or nauseated. However, if these symptoms persist, consult your doctor. The dosage usually depends on the patient's medical problem.
- To prevent pregnancy in adults and teenagers - One blue tablet should be taken daily for 21 days. For Day 22 to Day 28, take one green tablet daily for seven days.
- For the treatment of adult and teen acne (15 years old and above) - One white, blue, or light blue tablet should be taken daily for 21 days followed by taking one green tablet daily for seven days for each menstrual cycle. The dosage for teens and children who are below 15 years old is usually determined by the doctor.
Inform your doctor if you missed your period for two months straight since it could indicate a pregnancy. If you miss more than one pill or have changed your usual schedule, you may not have a menstrual period for that month. Moreover, if you do not take your pills on time, you may experience spotting or light bleeding. Remember that the more pills you miss, the more prone you are to experience bleeding.
Precautions
To monitor whether the drug is working effectively, regular visits should be made to the doctor. You can visit the doctor every six or 12 months. Since this drug has a teratogenic potential, if you feel or suspect that you are pregnant, it is very important to inform your doctor.
Taking this medicine may also increase one's risk of developing blood clotting problems. See your doctor immediately if you have any of the following symptoms while taking this medication:
- Chest pain
- Pain in the legs, calves, or groin
- Breathing difficulties (sudden shortness of breath)
- A sudden and severe headache
- Slurred speech
- Vision problems
- A sudden loss of coordination
Side Effects
This medicine may also cause some side effects. See your doctor right away if you experience any of the following side effects:
- Abdominal pain
- Bloating
- Nausea and vomiting
- Hematemesis (vomiting blood)
- Amenorrhea (no menstrual period)
- Missed or irregular periods
- Anxiety
- Irritable
- Vision changes
- Skin color changes
- Chest pain
- Fever
- Chills
- Sudden severe headache
- Pale stool
- Constipation or diarrhea
- Coughing
- Dark-colored urine
- Lightheadedness
- Dizziness
- Syncope (fainting)
- Itchy skin,
- Hives or welts
- Swelling of the face, lips, tongue, throat, eyelids, hands, feet, legs, and genital organs
- Appetite loss
- Irregular vaginal bleeding (medium to heavy) between monthly periods
- Pain in the neck, jaw, arms, and back
- Swelling of the leg or foot
- Pain in the groin and legs, particularly the calves
- Thumping ear noise
- Skin rash
- Skin redness
- Unusual fatigue or weakness
- Breathing problems
- Slurred speech
- Irregular heartbeat
- Sweating
- Sudden lack of coordination
Even though not all of the above side effects may occur, it is still important to seek immediate medical attention if any of them do occur.
Estarylla Reviews
On the Drugs.com website, users were asked on a scale of 1 to 10 about the effectiveness and ease of use of Estarylla, along with its positive and adverse side effects.
1 (not effective) to 10 (most effective)
- Average rating for ovarian cysts is 6.
- Average rating for acne is 4.9.
- Average rating for abnormal uterine bleeding is 3.7.
- Average rating for birth control is 3.5.
- Overall rating for Estarylla is 4.5.
Interactions
Drug interactions can change how a certain medication works as well as increase a person's risk for dangerous side effects. For this reason, it is very important to inform your doctor or pharmacist about the medications you are using including both prescription or nonprescription drugs, supplements, and herbal products. Moreover, do not self-medicate as well as change, stop, or start any medications without your doctor's advice.
The following are medications that may interact with Estarylla:
- Aromatase inhibitors (anastrozole, exemestane)
- Tamoxifen
- Tizanidine
- Ospemifene
- Tranexamic acid
- Ombitasvir/paritaprevir/ritonavir with or without dasabuvir (combination products for the treatment of chronic hepatitis C)
Other drugs may also decrease the amount of birth control hormones in a woman's body, leading to a decreased effectiveness of birth control medications. Such drug interaction may result in pregnancy. Some examples of these drugs are:
- Anti-seizure drugs (barbiturates, carbamazepine, felbamate, phenytoin, primidone, topiramate)
- Drugs for HIV (nelfinavir, nevirapine, ritonavir)
- Griseofulvin
- Modafinil
- Rifamycins (rifampin, rifabutin)
- St. John's wort
When you need to take a new drug, inform your doctor and discuss whether you need to use another birth control pill. Moreover, inform your doctor if experience any breakthrough bleeding or spotting between regular menstrual periods. It may be a sign that your medication is not working as it should be.
Estarylla may also interfere with certain lab tests, such as thyroid tests and blood clotting factors. To avoid getting false test results, inform the doctor or laboratory personnel that you are currently taking this medication.
