Necon 10/11 Side Effects
Generic name: ethinyl estradiol / norethindrone
Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Feb 20, 2024.
Note: This document contains side effect information about ethinyl estradiol / norethindrone. Some dosage forms listed on this page may not apply to the brand name Necon 10/11.
Applies to ethinyl estradiol / norethindrone: oral tablet, oral tablet chewable. Other dosage forms:
Warning
Oral route (Tablet)
Cigarette smoking increases the risk of serious cardiovascular events from combination oral contraceptive (COC) use. This risk increases with age, particularly in women over 35 years of age, and with the number of cigarettes smoked. COCs should not be used by women who are over 35 years of age and who also smoke.
Serious side effects of Necon 10/11
Along with its needed effects, ethinyl estradiol / norethindrone may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.
Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur while taking ethinyl estradiol / norethindrone:
Less common
- Breast tenderness
- heavy non-menstrual vaginal bleeding
- irregular menstrual periods
- longer or heavier menstrual periods
- normal menstrual bleeding occurring earlier, possibly lasting longer than expected
Incidence not known
- Chest pain or tightness
- chills
- clay-colored stools
- confusion
- dark urine
- diarrhea
- difficulty with speaking
- dizziness
- double vision
- fast or irregular heartbeat
- fever
- headache
- inability to move the arms, legs, or facial muscles
- inability to speak
- indigestion
- itching or rash
- loss of appetite
- nausea
- pain, redness, or swelling in the arm or leg
- pains in the chest, groin, or legs, especially in the calves
- severe headaches of sudden onset
- severe nausea or vomiting
- slurred speech
- stomach pain
- sudden loss of coordination
- sudden onset of slurred speech
- sudden vision changes
- unpleasant breath odor
- unusual tiredness or weakness
- unusual warmth or flushing of the skin
- unusually heavy or unexpected menstrual bleeding
- vaginal bleeding or spotting
- vomiting of blood
- yellow eyes or skin
Other side effects of Necon 10/11
Some side effects of ethinyl estradiol / norethindrone may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects.
Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:
More common
- Vomiting
Less common
- Anxiety
- blemishes on the skin
- cramps
- depression
- pain
- pimples
- weight changes
For Healthcare Professionals
Applies to ethinyl estradiol / norethindrone: oral capsule, oral tablet, oral tablet chewable.
General
The most frequently reported side effects were headache, vaginal candidiasis, nausea, menstrual cramps, breast tenderness, abdominal pain, mood changes, bacterial vaginitis, acne, irregular uterine bleeding, and weight gain.[Ref]
Genitourinary
Common (1% to 10%): Vaginal candidiasis, menstrual cramps, breast tenderness, bacterial vaginitis, abnormal/irregular bleeding, metrorrhagia, irregular menstruation, menorrhagia, vaginal hemorrhage, breast pain, dysmenorrhea, vaginal hemorrhage, dysfunctional uterine bleeding
Frequency not reported: Ovarian vein thrombosis, vaginitis, amenorrhea, breakthrough bleeding, breast enlargement, breast secretion, cervical erosion changed, cervical secretion, menstrual flow changed, diminution in lactation, spotting, temporary infertility after discontinuation of treatment, premenstrual syndrome, uterine fibroid disease exacerbated
Postmarketing reports: Vaginal infection, pollakiuria, dysuria, ovarian cyst, pelvic pain, ovarian cyst rupture, pelvic fluid collection, nipple pain, nipple discharge, galactorrhea, fibrocystic breast change, breast disorder, breast mass, uterine leiomyomata size increased, cervical ectropion changed, endometrial hyperplasia, ovarian cyst, uterine enlargement[Ref]
Cardiovascular
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Blood pressure increased
Frequency not reported: Deep vein thrombosis, myocardial infarction, hypertension, arterial thromboembolism, thrombophlebitis
Postmarketing reports: Coronary artery thrombosis, palpitation, tachycardia, angina pectoris, hot flush, heart rate irregular[Ref]
Gastrointestinal
Common (1% to 10%): Nausea/vomiting, abdominal pain
Frequency not reported: Abdominal cramps, bloating, colitis, dyspepsia, inflammatory bowel disease, Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, mesenteric thrombosis
Postmarketing reports: Constipation, pancreatitis[Ref]
Nervous system
Common (1% to 10%): Headache
Frequency not reported: Migraine, dizziness, cerebral hemorrhage, cerebral thrombosis
Postmarketing reports: Loss of consciousness, hyperesthesia, paresthesia, hypoesthesia, somnolence, sensory disturbance, transient ischemic attack, ischemic stroke, chorea, epilepsy exacerbated, dementia, hemiparesis[Ref]
Oncologic
Frequency not reported: Hepatic adenoma, hepatic carcinoma, benign liver tumor
Postmarketing reports: Hemangioma of liver, breast cancer, ovarian cancer, endometrial cancer, uterine cancer[Ref]
Endocrine
Postmarketing reports: Hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism[Ref]
Psychiatric
Common (1% to 10%): Mood swing, depression, mood changed, anxiety
Frequency not reported: Nervousness
Postmarketing reports: Insomnia, suicidal ideation, panic attack, libido changed, homicidal ideation, dissociation, bipolar disorder, mood disturbed, irritability[Ref]
Dermatologic
Common (1% to 10%): Acne
Frequency not reported: Hirsutism, loss of scalp hair, melasma, chloasma, erythema multiforme, erythema nodosum, hemorrhagic eruption, photosensitivity, pruritus
Postmarketing reports: Alopecia, generalized rash, allergic rash, skin discoloration, urticaria, angioedema, night sweats, angioedema, hirsutism, skin burning sensation, generalized erythema[Ref]
Hepatic
Frequency not reported: Liver disease, gallbladder disease, cholestatic jaundice, Budd-Chiari syndrome
Postmarketing reports: Cholelithiasis, cholecystitis[Ref]
Hematologic
Frequency not reported: Hemolytic uremic syndrome
Postmarketing reports: Anemia[Ref]
Immunologic
Postmarketing reports: Hypersensitivity reaction, anaphylactic/anaphylactoid reaction[Ref]
Ocular
Frequency not reported: Corneal curvature change/steepening, contact lens intolerance, cataracts, retinal thrombosis
Postmarketing reports: Vision blurred, vision impaired, corneal thinning, fungal infection, transient blindness[Ref]
Respiratory
Frequency not reported: Pulmonary embolism
Postmarketing reports: Asthma exacerbated, dyspnea[Ref]
Musculoskeletal
Frequency not reported: Leg cramp, backache
Postmarketing reports: Myalgia, arthralgia, back pain[Ref]
Metabolic
Common (1% to 10%): Weight fluctuation
Frequency not reported: Tolerance to carbohydrates reduced
Postmarketing reports: Appetite increased, appetite decreased, diabetes mellitus, hypoglycemia, hypocalcemia, triglycerides increased, blood glucose abnormal[Ref]
Other
Common (1% to 10%): Cervical smear abnormal, weight gain, edema
Frequency not reported: Fatigue, porphyria, Vitamin B6 deficient
Postmarketing reports: Weight decreased, peripheral edema, malaise, chest pain[Ref]
Renal
Frequency not reported: Renal function impaired
Postmarketing reports: Cystitis-like syndrome[Ref]
More about Necon 10 / 11 (ethinyl estradiol / norethindrone)
- Check interactions
- Compare alternatives
- Drug images
- Dosage information
- During pregnancy
- Drug class: contraceptives
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References
1. "Product Information. femhrt (ethinyl estradiol-norethindrone)." Parke-Davis
2. (2002) "Product Information. Estrostep Fe (ethinyl estradiol-norethindrone)." Parke-Davis
3. Cerner Multum, Inc. "UK Summary of Product Characteristics."
4. Cerner Multum, Inc. "Australian Product Information."
5. (2017) "Product Information. Loestrin 24 Fe (ethinyl estradiol-norethindrone)." Warner Chilcott Laboratories
6. (2017) "Product Information. Briellyn (ethinyl estradiol-norethindrone)." Glenmark Pharmaceuticals Inc
7. (2017) "Product Information. Femcon FE (ethinyl estradiol-norethindrone)." Actavis (formerly Abrika Pharmaceuticals LLP)
8. (2017) "Product Information. Lo Loestrin Fe (ethinyl estradiol-norethindrone)." Warner Chilcott Laboratories
9. (2017) "Product Information. Lo Minastrin Fe (ethinyl estradiol-norethindrone)." Warner Chilcott Laboratories
Further information
Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.
Some side effects may not be reported. You may report them to the FDA.