Desogestrel / Ethinyl Estradiol Side Effects

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on May 31, 2024.

Applies to desogestrel / ethinyl estradiol: oral tablet.

Important warnings This medicine can cause some serious health issues

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

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

• absent, missed, or irregular menstrual periods
• anxiety
• change in vision
• changes in skin color
• chest pain or discomfort
• chills
• clay-colored stools
• constipation
• cough
• dark urine
• diarrhea
• dizziness, lightheadedness, fainting
• fever
• hives or welts
• itching skin or rash
• large, hive-like swelling on the face, eyelids, lips, tongue, throat, hands, legs, feet, or sex organs
• nausea
• pain or discomfort in the arms, jaw, back, or neck
• pain, tenderness, or swelling of the foot or leg
• pains in the chest, groin, or legs, especially in the calves of the legs
• severe headaches of sudden onset
• slow or fast heartbeat
• stomach pain
• sudden loss of coordination or slurred speech
• sudden troubled breathing
• sweating
• unusual tiredness or weakness
• vomiting
• vomiting of blood

Other side effects

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

• bloating
• blotchy spots on the exposed skin
• breast enlargement or tenderness
• feeling sad or empty
• irritability
• itching of the vagina or outside the genitals
• loss of interest or pleasure
• pain during sexual intercourse
• thick, white curd-like vaginal discharge without odor or with mild odor
• trouble wearing contact lenses

For healthcare professionals

Applies to desogestrel / ethinyl estradiol: oral tablet.

Genitourinary adverse events

• 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]

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

Further information

Desogestrel/ethinyl estradiol side effects can vary depending on the individual. Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Note: Medication side effects may be underreported. If you are experiencing side effects that are not listed, submit a report to the FDA by following this guide.

Medical Disclaimer