what are the advantages of Femcon Fe?
- Excellent cycle control - There is a very low incidence of spotting or bleeding between periods with Femcon Fe.
- Low-dose - Most available pills contain the same type of estrogen as Femcon Fe but in different amounts. Femcon Fe is considered a low-dose pill because it contains 35 micrograms (mcg) of estrogen. Some available pills contain less estrogen, while others contain more.
- Appropriate for all body types - According to one study, for women who weigh 155 lbs or more (163 lbs is the average US woman's weight), using a pill with 35 mcg of estrogen, like Femcon Fe, may minimize the risk of pill failure compared with lower dose pills. 4, 5
- Menstrual relief - Femcon Fe can help reduce menstrual cramps, regulate irregular periods, and lighten menstrual flow.
- And now - Chewability - Femcon Fe is the only oral contraceptive to offer chewability. Perfect for women who want another option.
will Femcon Fe cause me to gain weight?
how do I take Femcon Fe?
Before you begin
Your healthcare provider will prescribe a 28-day pill pack and will advise you what day to start your first pill pack. You will either start taking Femcon Fe on the first day of your period or on the Sunday after your period begins.
Once you and your healthcare provider choose a day for you to start taking your pills, immediately remove the Detailed Patient Package Insert (a folded paper with detailed information on Femcon Fe) from the inside of the compact and look for the attached day-label sheet. Peel the label from the sheet with the start day printed on the left-hand side and stick this label on the blister card in the designated location. The arrows will show you the order in which to take the pills.
You have the choice of what time of day to take your pill. It is important that you take your pill at the same time every day. To make it easier to remember, you may want to work this into a daily routine. For example, take your pill each night before you go to bed.
To chew or not to chew
Only Femcon Fe gives you this option. You can swallow it like a conventional pill, or just put the pill in your mouth and chew. Then be sure to wash it down with an 8-ounce glass of your favorite drink.
Your healthcare provider will prescribe a 28-day pill pack and will advise you what day to start your first pill pack. You will either start taking Femcon Fe on the first day of your period or on the Sunday after your period begins.
Once you and your healthcare provider choose a day for you to start taking your pills, immediately remove the Detailed Patient Package Insert (a folded paper with detailed information on Femcon Fe) from the inside of the compact and look for the attached day-label sheet. Peel the label from the sheet with the start day printed on the left-hand side and stick this label on the blister card in the designated location. The arrows will show you the order in which to take the pills.
You have the choice of what time of day to take your pill. It is important that you take your pill at the same time every day. To make it easier to remember, you may want to work this into a daily routine. For example, take your pill each night before you go to bed.
To chew or not to chew
Only Femcon Fe gives you this option. You can swallow it like a conventional pill, or just put the pill in your mouth and chew. Then be sure to wash it down with an 8-ounce glass of your favorite drink.
can I still swallow the chewable tablets if I want to?
Yes. Femcon Fe tablets are safe and effective whether chewed* or swallowed whole.
*Immediately followed by a full glass (8 oz.) of liquid.
*Immediately followed by a full glass (8 oz.) of liquid.
can I let the tablet dissolve in my mouth instead of chewing it?
Letting the Femcon Fe tablets dissolve in your mouth is not recommended; as the product labeling states, you should chew or swallow the tablets to ensure that you are getting the full amount of the medication.2
is there any chance of particles becoming stuck to the teeth after chewing and making the medication less effective?
Each Femcon Fe tablet is approximately 1/4 inch in diameter. It is so small that once the tablet has been chewed, the particles will dissolve immediately in your mouth. Therefore, the potential for large amounts of particles becoming stuck to the teeth after chewing is very low. With proper use of the product — drinking a full glass of water after chewing — the entire amount of the Pill will be ingested and absorbed.
do I need to wait a certain amount of time before brushing my teeth after chewing a tablet?
As long as you have thoroughly chewed and swallowed the tablet, there is no need to wait before brushing your teeth. Used as instructed, the entire amount of Femcon Fe will be swallowed and absorbed.2
how does Femcon Fe work?
Femcon Fe is a combination oral contraceptive, which means it is made up of 2 different hormones-norethindrone (progestin) and ethinyl estradiol (estrogen). Together, these 2 hormones suppress ovulation and other related changes your body goes through. That means an egg is not released from your ovary and therefore cannot be fertilized by sperm. Birth control pills also thicken your cervical mucus (making it difficult for sperm to enter the uterus) and change the lining of your uterus (making it difficult for a fertilized egg to implant itself in the uterine wall). The use of an oral contraceptive, like Femcon Fe, is one of the most effective methods of birth control available. With proper use, which means taking a pill every day at the same time each day, they are over 99% effective in preventing pregnancy.
what do I do if I miss a pill?
If you miss 1 white active pill: Take it as soon as you remember and then take the next pill at the regular time. This means you might take 2 pills within 24 hours. You will not need to use a backup method of birth control if you have sex.
If you miss 2 white active pills in a row in week 1 or week 2:
Take 2 pills on the day you remember and 2 pills the next day. Then take 1 pill a day until you finish the pack. You may become pregnant if you have sex during the 7 days after you miss pills, so you must use a backup method of birth control-like condoms-during those 7 days.
If you miss 2 white active pills in a row in week 3:
If you are a day-1 starter, throw out the rest of the pill pack and start a new pack the same day; or, if you are a Sunday starter, keep taking 1 pill every day until Sunday. On Sunday, throw out the rest of the pack and start a new pill pack that day. You may become pregnant if you have sex during the 7 days after the missed pills, so you must use a backup form of birth control for those 7 days. You may not have your period that month, but that is expected. However, if you miss your period 2 months in a row, call your healthcare provider to rule out pregnancy.
If you miss 3 or more white active pills in a row during the first 3 weeks:
If you are a day-1 starter, throw out the rest of the pill pack and start a new pack the same day; or, if you are a Sunday starter, keep taking 1 pill every day until Sunday. On Sunday, throw out the rest of the pack and start a new pill pack that day. You may become pregnant if you have sex on the days when you missed pills or during the 7 days after the missed pills, so you must use a backup form of birth control for those 7 days. You may not have your period that month, but that is expected. However, if you miss your period 2 months in a row, call your healthcare provider to rule out pregnancy.
If you miss any brown reminder pills in week 4:
Throw away the pills you missed and continue taking 1 pill each day until the pack is empty. You do not need a backup method of birth control in this case.
If you miss 2 white active pills in a row in week 1 or week 2:
Take 2 pills on the day you remember and 2 pills the next day. Then take 1 pill a day until you finish the pack. You may become pregnant if you have sex during the 7 days after you miss pills, so you must use a backup method of birth control-like condoms-during those 7 days.
If you miss 2 white active pills in a row in week 3:
If you are a day-1 starter, throw out the rest of the pill pack and start a new pack the same day; or, if you are a Sunday starter, keep taking 1 pill every day until Sunday. On Sunday, throw out the rest of the pack and start a new pill pack that day. You may become pregnant if you have sex during the 7 days after the missed pills, so you must use a backup form of birth control for those 7 days. You may not have your period that month, but that is expected. However, if you miss your period 2 months in a row, call your healthcare provider to rule out pregnancy.
If you miss 3 or more white active pills in a row during the first 3 weeks:
If you are a day-1 starter, throw out the rest of the pill pack and start a new pack the same day; or, if you are a Sunday starter, keep taking 1 pill every day until Sunday. On Sunday, throw out the rest of the pack and start a new pill pack that day. You may become pregnant if you have sex on the days when you missed pills or during the 7 days after the missed pills, so you must use a backup form of birth control for those 7 days. You may not have your period that month, but that is expected. However, if you miss your period 2 months in a row, call your healthcare provider to rule out pregnancy.
If you miss any brown reminder pills in week 4:
Throw away the pills you missed and continue taking 1 pill each day until the pack is empty. You do not need a backup method of birth control in this case.
can I get pregnant if I miss a pill?
Missing pills can increase your risk of pregnancy. If you miss pills, please follow the directions in the previous section, "What do I do if I miss a pill?" Make sure that you have a new Femcon Fe pill pack ready before you finish the current one.
how will the Pill affect my period?
For many women, taking birth control pills helps to regulate their menstrual cycle and lessen menstrual cramping.
what about spotting or bleeding between periods?
Femcon Fe has a low incidence of spotting and/or bleeding. However, your body may need some time to adjust to the dose of hormones in the Pill, and therefore you may experience some spotting or bleeding between periods, usually only in the first 2 or 3 months of use. This does not mean the Pill is not working, so it is important that you continue to take them regularly. Taking Femcon Fe at the same time every day will help decrease the chance of spotting or bleeding. Also, this bleeding may be temporary and usually does not indicate any serious problem; however, if it occurs during more than 1 cycle or lasts for more than a few days, you should talk to your healthcare provider.
what other benefits are there to taking birth control pills?
In addition to preventing pregnancy, birth control pills do provide other benefits. By decreasing the amount of menstrual blood flow, the Pill can lower the incidence of iron deficiency anemia (too little iron). It may also decrease the incidence of certain ovarian cysts and ectopic pregnancies (in which the fertilized egg implants in tissue other than the lining of the uterus). Birth control pills may also decrease the risk of developing acute pelvic inflammatory disease (a serious infection of the uterus, fallopian tubes, and/or ovaries). The Pill may also decrease the risk of ovarian cancer and endometrial cancer (cancer in the lining of the uterus).
what if I decide I want to become pregnant?
All you have to do is stop taking Femcon Fe - if you have regular cycles, your body should have no problem preparing itself for pregnancy. There may be some delay in becoming pregnant, especially if you had irregular menstrual cycles before you used oral contraceptives. If you want to become pregnant and have any questions, speak with your healthcare provider.
should my partner use a condom even though I'm taking the Pill?
While the Pill is one of the most reliable nonsurgical methods of preventing pregnancy, it does not protect against the transmission of HIV (AIDS) or other sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), such as Chlamydia, genital herpes, genital warts, gonorrhea, hepatitis B, and syphilis. Therefore, if you are sexually active and have more than one partner, the use of a condom is essential. Only a condom will offer you some protection from STDs.
are there any risks associated with taking the Pill?
The Pill is not the right choice for everyone. Cigarette smoking while using the Pill increases the risk of serious adverse effects on the heart and blood vessels. This risk increases if you are a heavy smoker (15 or more cigarettes a day) and with age (especially if you are over 35). Women who use the Pill should not smoke.
Side effects of the Pill are generally not serious. The most common side effects include breast tenderness, nausea, vomiting, and spotting or bleeding between menstrual periods. These side effects often subside within the first 3 months. While more serious side effects occur infrequently, some medical conditions have been associated with Pill use, including:
You should not take the Pill if you have or have had blood clots, certain cancers, a history of heart attack or stroke, or are pregnant. Please see the Detailed Patient Package Insert for more information on side effects.
Side effects of the Pill are generally not serious. The most common side effects include breast tenderness, nausea, vomiting, and spotting or bleeding between menstrual periods. These side effects often subside within the first 3 months. While more serious side effects occur infrequently, some medical conditions have been associated with Pill use, including:
- Blood clots, blockage of blood vessels
- Gallbladder disease
- Liver tumors (extremely rare)
- High blood pressure, which returns to normal when the Pill is stopped
You should not take the Pill if you have or have had blood clots, certain cancers, a history of heart attack or stroke, or are pregnant. Please see the Detailed Patient Package Insert for more information on side effects.
what if I take other medications?
Some drugs may interact with the Pill, making it less effective in preventing pregnancy or increasing the incidence of breakthrough bleeding. This association has been seen with rifampin, drugs used for epilepsy such as barbiturates (for example, phenobarbital) and phenytoin (Dilantin®*), phenylbutazone, and possibly ampicillin and tetracyclines. You may have to use nonhormonal backup contraception, such as condoms, if you are taking certain drugs. Be sure to tell your healthcare provider if you are taking or start taking any other medication, including nonprescription or herbal products.
*Dilantin® is a registered trademark of Pfizer Inc.
*Dilantin® is a registered trademark of Pfizer Inc.
| 1. | Rudel HW, Maqueo M, Calderone J, Martinez-Manatou JM. Safety and effectiveness of a new low-dose oral contraceptive: a three-year study of 1,000 women. J Reprod Med. 1978;21:79-88. |
3. Data on file, Warner Chilcott (US), Inc.
| 4. | Holt VL, Cushing-Haugen KL, Daling JR. Body weight and risk of oral contraceptive failure. Obstet Gynecol. 2002;99:820-827. |
| 5. | Ogden CL, Fryar CD, Carroll MD, et al. Mean Body Weight, Height, and Body Mass Index. Hyattsville, MD: National Center for Health Statistics, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, US Dept of Health and Human Services; October 27, 2004. No. 347. |
| 6. | Gallo MF, Grimes DA, Schulz KF, Helmerhorst FM. Combination estrogen-progestin contraceptives and body weight: systematic review of randomized controlled trials. Obstet Gynecol. 2004;103:359-373. |
Safety information you should know: Oral contraceptives are not for everybody. Most side effects of the Pill are not serious and those that are, occur infrequently. Serious risks, which can be life threatening, include blood clots, stroke and heart attacks, and are increased if you smoke cigarettes. Cigarette smoking increases the risk of serious cardiovascular side effects, especially if you're over 35. Women who use oral contraceptives should not smoke. Some women should not use the Pill, including women who have or have had blood clots, certain cancers, a history of heart attack or stroke, as well as those who are or may be pregnant. The Pill does not protect against HIV or sexually transmitted diseases. These are not all of the possible side effects of Femcon Fe. For more information, please see full Prescribing Information and Detailed Patient Labeling.
