Junel Fe (Norethindrone Acetate, Ethinyl Estradiol, Ferrous Fumarate)

What Is Junel FE?

Junel Fe28 (norethindrone acetate, ethinyl estradiol, ferrous fumarate) is a combination of female hormones and the mineral iron used as contraception to prevent pregnancy. Junel Fe28 is also used to treat severe acne. Junel Fe28 is available in generic form.

What Are Side Effects of Junel FE?

Junel FE may cause serious side effects including:

• warmth, redness, swelling, or oozing where the implant was inserted,
• severe pain or cramping in your pelvic area,
• sudden numbness or weakness (especially on one side of the body),
• sudden severe headache,
• slurred speech,
• problems with vision or balance,
• sudden vision loss,
• stabbing chest pain,
• feeling short of breath,
• coughing up blood,
• pain or warmth in one or both legs,
• chest pain or pressure,
• pain spreading to your jaw or shoulder,
• nausea,
• sweating,
• severe headache,
• blurred vision,
• pounding in your neck or ears,
• swelling in your hands, ankles or feet,
• yellowing of the skin or eyes,
• breast lump,
• depression,
• sleep problems,
• weakness,
• tired feeling, and
• mood changes

Get medical help right away, if you have any of the symptoms listed above.

Common side effects of Junel Fe28 include:

• nausea (especially when you first start taking Junel Fe28),
• vomiting,
• headache,
• stomach cramping/bloating,
• dizziness,
• vaginal itching or discharge, or
• breast tenderness or swelling,
• nipple discharge,
• freckles or darkening of facial skin,
• increased hair growth,
• loss of scalp hair,
• changes in weight or appetite,
• problems with contact lenses, or
• decreased sex drive.
• Acne may improve or get worse.
• Vaginal bleeding between periods (spotting) or missed/irregular menstrual periods may occur, especially during the first few months of use.

Seek medical care or call 911 at once if you have the following serious side effects:

• Serious eye symptoms such as sudden vision loss, blurred vision, tunnel vision, eye pain or swelling, or seeing halos around lights;
• Serious heart symptoms such as fast, irregular, or pounding heartbeats; fluttering in your chest; shortness of breath; and sudden dizziness, lightheartedness, or passing out;
• Severe headache, confusion, slurred speech, arm or leg weakness, trouble walking, loss of coordination, feeling unsteady, very stiff muscles, high fever, profuse sweating, or tremors.

This document does not contain all possible side effects and others may occur. Check with your physician for additional information about side effects.

Dosage for Junel FE

Junel Fe28 must be taken exactly as directed. It is taken as a continuous administration regimen consisting of 21 light yellow or pink tablets of Junel, and 7 brown non-hormone containing tablets of ferrous fumarate. There are no “off-tablet” days.

What Drugs, Substances, or Supplements Interact with Junel FE?

Junel Fe may interact with acetaminophen, ascorbic acid (vitamin C), prednisolone, theophylline, St. John's wort, antibiotics, seizure medications, barbiturates, or HIV or AIDS medications. Tell your doctor all medications and supplements you use.

Junel FE During Pregnancy or Breastfeeding

Junel Fe must not be used during pregnancy. If you become pregnant or think you may be pregnant, tell your doctor. If you have just given birth or had a pregnancy loss/abortion after the first 3 months, talk with your doctor about birth control, and find out when it is safe to use birth control containing estrogen, such as this medication. This medication passes into breast milk. This may affect milk production and may have undesirable effects on a nursing infant. Consult your doctor before breastfeeding.

Additional Information

Our Junel Fe (norethindrone acetate, ethinyl estradiol, ferrous fumarate) Side Effects Drug Center provides a comprehensive view of available drug information on the potential side effects when taking this medication.