Lutera (levonorgestrel/ethinyl estradiol) is a prescription oral contraceptive commonly referred to as a birth control pill. The drug is a generic version of Alesse.

Lutera has many uses, but its main use is for preventing pregnancy. The birth control pill achieves this primarily by changing the cervical mucus and making the uterus less receptive to an embryo. Other Lutera uses include the treatment of irregular menstrual bleeding, premenstrual dysphoric disorder, and other conditions. It is only approved for women who have had their first menstrual period.

Like most birth control pills, Lutera offers the following benefits in addition to being easy to use and effective:

Less menstrual pain
Lighter and more regular menstrual bleeding
Decreased risk of ovarian or endometrial cancer (cancer of the lining of the uterus)

At this time, off-label Lutera uses include treatment of the following conditions:

Acne
Heavy menstrual bleeding
Painful menstrual periods
Irregular menstrual periods
Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD)

Warnings and precautions to be aware of prior to using Lutera include the following:

When taken correctly, Lutera is effective at preventing pregnancy. However, it becomes much less effective if taken incorrectly. Make sure you understand exactly how to take Lutera, including how and when to start it and what to do if you miss pills.

Lutera does not protect against HIV, AIDS, or other sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). In many cases, it is advisable to use condoms in addition to the birth control pill.

Combined oral contraceptives, including Lutera, increase the risk of life-threatening problems, such as heart attacks, strokes, and blood clots. The risk is quite small for healthy, young, nonsmoking women. However, tell your healthcare provider if you have ever had a blood clot, stroke, heart attack, or chest pain. Smoking cigarettes greatly increases the risk of these serious Lutera side effects. This risk is particularly high for smokers over the age of 35.

Combined oral contraceptives may slightly increase the risk of breast cancer or cervical cancer, although this is an unresolved and controversial issue. However, combined oral contraceptives seem to help protect women against ovarian and uterine cancer.

Oral contraceptives increase the risk of benign (noncancerous) liver tumors. In rare cases, these tumors can rupture and cause serious problems.

Hormonal contraceptives such as Lutera may make gallbladder disease worse. Therefore, if you have had a problem with your gallbladder, this medication may not be the best contraceptive method for you.

Lutera may increase blood sugar, particularly in women with diabetes. Your healthcare provider may need to monitor you more closely in this case. Let your healthcare provider know if you have any sudden vision changes, as this may be a sign of a blood clot in the eyes (a possible side effect of Lutera and other hormonal contraceptives).

Hormonal contraceptives, including Lutera, can increase your blood pressure. This can be a problem if you already have high blood pressure.

Lutera can change your menstrual bleeding patterns. Some women have breakthrough bleeding (bleeding between periods), while others may not have a period at all. It is normal to have shorter and lighter periods while using Lutera. However, if you notice any unusual changes in your bleeding patterns, let your healthcare provider know. If you miss a period, you should make sure you are not pregnant.

The medication can affect your cholesterol. Your healthcare provider may need to check your cholesterol levels after you start Lutera, especially if you already have high cholesterol.

Sometimes, hormonal contraceptives may make depression worse. Let your healthcare provider know if you develop new or worsening depression symptoms while taking Lutera.

Occasionally, Lutera (as well as any other hormonal contraceptive) can cause eye changes that make it more difficult to wear contact lenses.

Lutera is considered a pregnancy Category X medication. This means that it should not be used during pregnancy.