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Apri Side Effects

Generic name: desogestrel / ethinyl estradiol

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Mar 26, 2023.

Note: This document contains side effect information about desogestrel / ethinyl estradiol. Some dosage forms listed on this page may not apply to the brand name Apri.

Applies to desogestrel / ethinyl estradiol: oral tablet.

Warning

Oral route (Kit)

Smoking is not advised in women using oral contraceptives. Cigarette smoking increases the risk of serious cardiovascular side effects from oral contraceptive use. This risk increases with age and with heavy smoking (15 or more cigarettes per day) and is quite marked in women over 35 years of age.

Oral route (Tablet)

Ortho-Cept®: Cigarette smoking increases the risk of serious cardiovascular side effects from combination oral contraceptive use. This risk increases with age and with the number of cigarettes smoked and is quite marked in women over 35 years of age. Use of combination oral contraceptives is not recommended in women who are over 35 years of age that smoke. Velivet(TM): Cigarette smoking increases the risk of serious cardiovascular side effects from oral contraceptive use. This risk increases with age and with heavy smoking (15 or more cigarettes per day) and is quite marked in women over 35 years of age. Women who use oral contraceptives should be strongly advised not to smoke.Desogen®: 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. For this reason, COCs are contraindicated in women who are over 35 years of age, and smoke.

Serious side effects of Apri

Along with its needed effects, desogestrel/ethinyl estradiol 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 desogestrel / ethinyl estradiol:

Incidence not known

Other side effects of Apri

Some side effects of desogestrel / ethinyl estradiol 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:

Incidence not known

For Healthcare Professionals

Applies to desogestrel / ethinyl estradiol: oral tablet.

Genitourinary

Diminution of lactation may theoretically occur when this drug is given immediately postpartum.[Ref]

Common (1% to 10%): Breast pain/tenderness, amenorrhea, irregular bleeding

Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Breast enlargement/hypertrophy, metrorrhagia

Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Vaginal/breast discharge, vaginal candidiasis

Frequency not reported: Breakthrough bleeding, spotting, menstrual flow change, cervical ectropion and secretion, temporary infertility (after discontinuation), vaginitis, candidiasis, lactation diminution, premenstrual syndrome, dysmenorrhea, endometriosis, uterine myoma[Ref]

Gastrointestinal

Common (1% to 10%): Nausea, abdominal pain

Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Vomiting, diarrhea

Frequency not reported: Gallbladder disease, mesenteric thrombosis, gastrointestinal symptoms (e.g., abdominal pain, cramps, bloating), pancreatitis, colitis, Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis[Ref]

Psychiatric

Common (1% to 10%): Depressed mood, altered mood

Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Decreased libido, nervousness

Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Increased libido

Frequency not reported: Depression/mental depression[Ref]

Nervous system

Common (1% to 10%): Headache, dizziness

Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Migraine

Frequency not reported: Stroke, transient ischemic attack, cerebral hemorrhage/thrombosis, chorea exacerbation, Sydenham's chorea, epilepsy[Ref]

Metabolic

Common (1% to 10%): Increased weight

Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Fluid retention

Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Decreased weight

Frequency not reported: Decreased serum folate, porphyria exacerbation, decreased carbohydrate tolerance, increased/decreased folate[Ref]

Dermatologic

Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Rash/allergic rash, urticaria, acne

Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Erythema nodosum/multiforme, pruritus, alopecia, hirsutism

Frequency not reported: Scalp hair loss, melasma/chloasma or persistent melasma/chloasma, gestational herpes gestationis, hemorrhagic eruption[Ref]

Cardiovascular

Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Hypertension, fluid retention/edema

Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Arterial/venous thromboembolism

Frequency not reported: Myocardial infarction, venous thrombosis, arterial/venous thromboembolic disorders, varicose vein aggravation, thrombophlebitis and venous thrombosis with/without embolism[Ref]

Ocular

Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Contact lens intolerance, cataract

Frequency not reported: Retinal thrombosis, optic neuritis, partial/complete vision loss, corneal curvature change/steepening[Ref]

Hypersensitivity

Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Hypersensitivity

Frequency not reported: Anaphylactic/anaphylactoid reactions, hereditary angioedema/angioedema, severe reactions with respiratory and circulatory symptoms[Ref]

Other

Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Otosclerosis[Ref]

Hepatic

Frequency not reported: Cholestatic jaundice, Budd-Chiari syndrome, acute/chronic liver function disturbances, liver tumors/hepatic adenomas or benign liver tumors[Ref]

Oncologic

Frequency not reported: Hormone-dependent tumors, breast cancer[Ref]

Renal

Frequency not reported: Cystitis-like syndrome, impaired renal function[Ref]

Respiratory

Frequency not reported: Pulmonary embolism[Ref]

Hematologic

Frequency not reported: Hemolytic uremic syndrome[Ref]

Musculoskeletal

Frequency not reported: Systemic lupus erythematosus[Ref]

References

1. Product Information. Ortho-Cept (desogestrel-ethinyl estradiol). Ortho McNeil Pharmaceutical. 2001;PROD.

2. Product Information. Cyclessa (desogestrel-ethinyl estradiol). Organon. 2001;PROD.

3. Cerner Multum, Inc. UK Summary of Product Characteristics.

4. Cerner Multum, Inc. Australian Product Information.

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.