Nexesta Fe Dosage
Generic name: NORETHINDRONE 0.4mg, ETHINYL ESTRADIOL 0.035mg;
Dosage form: tablets
Drug class: Contraceptives
Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Nov 25, 2024.
How to Start Nexesta Fe
Nexesta Fe is dispensed in a blister pack. Nexesta Fe may be started using either a Day 1 start or a Sunday start (see Table 1). For the first cycle of a Sunday Start regimen, an additional method of contraception should be used until after the first 7 consecutive days of administration.
How to Take Nexesta Fe
Nexesta Fe (white to off-white active tablets and brown placebo tablets) may be swallowed whole or chewed and swallowed. If the tablet is chewed, the patient should drink a full glass (8 ounces) of liquid immediately after swallowing.
| Table 1: Instructions for Administration of Nexesta Fe |
|
| Starting CHCs in women not currently using hormonal contraception (Day 1 Start or Sunday Start) Important: Consider the possibility of ovulation and conception prior to initiation of this product. Tablet Color: • Nexesta Fe active tablets are white to off-white (Day 1 to Day 21). • Nexesta Fe placebo tablets are brown (Day 22 to Day 28). |
Day 1 Start: • Take first white to off-white active tablet on the first day of menses. • Take subsequent white to off-white active tablets once daily at the same time each day for a total of 21 days. • Take one brown placebo tablet daily for 7 days and at the same time of day that active tablets were taken. • Begin each subsequent pack on the same day of the week as the first cycle pack (i.e., on the day after taking the last inactive tablet). Sunday Start: • Take first active tablet on the first Sunday after the onset of menses. Due to the potential risk of becoming pregnant, use additional non-hormonal contraception (such as condoms and spermicide) for the first seven days of the patient’s first cycle pack of Nexesta Fe. • Take subsequent white to off-white active tablets once daily at the same time each day for a total of 21 days. • Take one brown placebo tablet daily for the following 7 days and at the same time of day that active tablets were taken. • Begin each subsequent pack on the same day of the week as the first cycle pack (i.e., on the Sunday after taking the last inactive tablet) and additional non-hormonal contraceptive is not needed. |
| Switching to Nexesta Fe from another hormonal contraceptive |
Start on the same day that a new pack of the previous hormonal contraceptive would have started. |
| Switching from another contraceptive method to Nexesta Fe |
Start Nexesta Fe: |
| • Transdermal patch |
• On the day when next application would have been scheduled |
| • Vaginal ring |
• On the day when next insertion would have been scheduled |
| • Injection |
• On the day when next injection would have been scheduled |
| • Intrauterine contraceptive |
• On the day of removal • If the IUD is not removed on first day of the patient’s menstrual cycle, additional non-hormonal contraceptive (such as condoms and spermicide) is needed for the first seven days of the first cycle pack. |
| • Implant |
• On the day of removal |
| Complete instructions to facilitate patient counseling on proper tablet usage are located in the FDA-Approved Patient Labeling. |
|
Starting Nexesta Fe after Abortion or Miscarriage
First-trimester
- After a first-trimester abortion or miscarriage, Nexesta Fe may be started immediately. An additional method of contraception is not needed if Nexesta Fe is started within 5 days after termination of the pregnancy.
- If Nexesta Fe is not started within 5 days after termination of the pregnancy, the patient should use additional non-hormonal contraception (such as condoms and spermicide) for the first seven days of her first cycle pack of Nexesta Fe.
Second-trimester
- Do not start until 4 weeks after a second-trimester abortion or miscarriage, due to the increased risk of thromboembolic disease. Start Nexesta Fe, following the instructions in Table 1 for Day 1 or Sunday start, as desired. If using Sunday start, use additional non-hormonal contraception (such as condoms and spermicide) for the first seven days of the patient’s first cycle pack of Nexesta Fe.
Starting Nexesta Fe after Childbirth
- Do not start until 4 weeks after delivery, due to the increased risk of thromboembolic disease. Start contraceptive therapy with Nexesta Fe following the instructions in Table 1 for women not currently using hormonal contraception.
- If the woman has not yet had a period postpartum, consider the possibility of ovulation and conception occurring prior to use of Nexesta Fe..
Missed Tablets
| Table 2: Instructions for Missed Nexesta Fe Tablets |
|
|
Take the tablet as soon as possible. Continue taking one tablet a day until the pack is finished. |
|
Take the two missed tablets as soon as possible and the next two active tablets the next day. Continue taking one tablet a day until the pack is finished. Additional non-hormonal contraception (such as condoms and spermicide) should be used as back-up if the patient has sex within 7 days after missing tablets. |
|
Day 1 start: Throw out the rest of the pack and start a new pack that same day. Sunday start: Continue taking one tablet a day until Sunday, then throw out the rest of the pack and start a new pack that same day. Additional non-hormonal contraception (such as condoms and spermicide) should be used as back-up if the patient has sex within 7 days after missing tablets. |
More about Nexesta Fe (ethinyl estradiol / norethindrone)
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- Imprints, shape & color data
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- During pregnancy
- Drug class: contraceptives
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