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Lutera (28)

Progestin + Estrogen

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4.8

3.8 Effectiveness

7.7 Side Effects

4.9 Holistic Benefits

RateADrug users have reported 14 Lutera (28) side effects and 2 Lutera (28) benefits.

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Description | Uses & Side Effects | Warnings

There is currently no information to display in this section. RateADrug provides information about drugs and supplements though a wiki format provided by researchers, health care providers and others. We encourage you to add to this description by clicking on the button below.

Common Uses:

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)

Off Label Uses:

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)

Side Effects:
Some side effects with Lutera, while occurring infrequently, are potentially serious and should be reported immediately to your healthcare provider. These include but are not limited to:

Signs of a stroke, such as:
Vision or speech changes
Weakness or numbness in an arm or leg
Severe headache

Signs of liver damage, such as:
Yellow eyes or skin (jaundice)
Dark urine
Upper-right abdominal pain

Heavy vaginal bleeding between periods (light bleeding or spotting is normal)
High blood pressure (hypertension)
High cholesterol
Depression or other emotional changes
Migraines (or changes in your migraines, if you have had them before)
Breast lumps
Signs of a blood clot in the leg, such as:

Pain in the calf
Leg cramps
Leg or foot swelling

Signs of a blood clot in the lung, such as:
Shortness of breath
Sharp chest pain
Coughing up blood

Chest pain or heaviness, which may be signs of a heart attack
Sudden loss of vision or vision changes, which can be a sign of a blood clot in the eye

Signs of an allergic reaction, such as:
Unexplained rash
Hives
Itching
Unexplained swelling
Wheezing
Difficulty breathing or swallowing.

Some of the common bothersome (but not usually dangerous) side effects of birth control pills include but are not limited to:
Breast tenderness and swelling
Headaches (although birth control pills can improve headaches in some women)
Acne (although birth control pills can also improve acne)
Breakthrough bleeding and spotting between periods (especially for the first few cycles)
Nausea and vomiting
Changes in your eyes that make it more difficult to wear contact lenses
Bloating
Changes in sex drive (typically a decrease in sex drive)

Cautions / Warnings:

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.

Drug Interactions:
Drug interactions can occur when Lutera is taken with antibiotics, Tegretol, or a number of other substances. These drug interactions can lead to increased risk of pregnancy and side effects, among other things.

Lutera (levonorgestrel/ethinyl estradiol) can potentially interact with several other medicines. Many of these interactions can be severe enough to cause accidental pregnancy, and a backup method of birth control may be recommended in many cases.

Some of the medicines that may lead to drug interactions with Lutera include:

Aminoglutethimide (Cytadren®)
Antibiotics
Aprepitant (Emend®)

Barbiturate medications, such as:
Amobarbital (Amytal®)
Butalbital (Fioricet®, Fiorinal®)
Pentobarbital (Nembutal®)
Phenobarbital (Luminal®)
Primidone (Mysoline®)
Secobarbital (Seconal®)

Cyclosporine (Gengraf®, Neoral®, Sandimmune®)
Dexamethasone (Decadron®)
Many seizure medications, such as:

Carbamazepine (Carbatrol®, Epitol®, Equetro™, Tegretol®)
Felbamate (Felbatol®)
Lamotrigine (Lamictal®)
Oxcarbazepine (Trileptal®)
Phenytoin (Dilantin®, Phenytek®)
Topiramate (Topamax®)

View / Add User Comments (54)

Lutera (28) Comments

15 Jun 2017

i was on Lutera for 8 months and totally affected my mental health. I thought I was going crazy. i fell into depression and had severe Anxiety attacks almost every day. I gained 10 pounds. my sex drive was gone, my legs and arms woulg feel numb. i got blurry vision. i wish i would've never taken this drug. i stopped taking it about 3 weeks ago and i have been feeling better bt on occasion ill get anxiety, hopefully after a couple of months my period regulates and my hormoes go back to normal. if you are going through the same thing. PLEASE STOP TAKING THE PILL.

—Posted by Martina

17 Sep 2015

I am having surgery in 4 days at 19 to have 50% of my liver removed because Lutera gave me a liver adenoma. Yes at 18 I found out I had a rumor in my liver. And now at 19 it's causing enough pain and problems it must come out. Do not. I repeat do NOT take this birthcontrol!!!

—Posted by Anonymous

18 Dec 2014

I am first time user of Birth control pills and my doctor recommended it to me, being that its a low dose of birth control. Initially, I did I have increase appetite, weight gain, and acne as well as headaches at times. I gained 10 lbs within 1.5 month. My appetite did taper down after the first 2-3 months. The pill was effective and easy to use! The only Major concern I had was that during intercourse I would feel a burning sensation, which I believe may have been from vaginal dryness from the pill because I've never had discomfort before. For this reason alone, I am looking into try another Birth control method. Overall, it did what its suppose to but I would like to enjoy intercourse without the pain. I rate it an 8/10.

—Posted by Anonymous

View / Add User Comments (54)

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Comments(54)

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Brands	Effectiveness	Holistic Benefits	Side Effects	Number of Ratings
NuvaRing	7.9	6.29	3.85	86
Yaz	6.6	5.83	4	159
Loestrin	6.58	5.61	4.14	99
Yasmin	6.51	5.46	3.87	63
Ortho Tri-Cyclen	6.13	5.59	4.2	165
Lutera (28)	3.94	4.78	6.35	33

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	Choose a condition to compare treatments based on user feedback. You can sort by Effectiveness, Holistic Benefits or Side Effects RateADrug user scores, or the number of Ratings. Scores gain significance with the number of ratings, so please share your experiences - rate your drug! Close

Effectiveness of Lutera (28) by Condition

Click on a condition to view RateADrug.com users ratings

Birth Control

Acne

Ovarian Cysts

Pain Relief

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Effectiveness on "Birth Control"

About these Results
Out of 100% of people surveyed, these results show the distribution in percentages of how users rate the effectiveness of their medication. Click on the various conditions to see how the effectiveness ratings change. Close

Not at all

Mildly

Moderately

Very

Extremely

How effective is Lutera (28)?

Reported Changes in Health and Well-Being

Since taking Lutera (28), RateADrug survey participants noticed these changes in their health:

Effect on:	Much Worse	Worse	No Change	Better	Much Better
Appetite	13.9%	15.3%	51.4%	15.3%	4.2%
Balance/Equilibrium	5.6%	15.3%	72.2%	5.6%	1.4%
Blood Pressure	2.8%	1.4%	91.7%	2.8%	1.4%
Breathing	2.8%	11.1%	80.6%	4.2%	1.4%
Confidence	15.3%	15.3%	56.9%	4.2%	8.3%
Coordination/Motor Skills	5.6%	11.1%	80.6%	1.4%	1.4%
Digestion	11.3%	8.5%	69%	5.6%	5.6%
Emotional Well-being	15.3%	26.4%	36.1%	18.1%	4.2%
Energy	19.4%	29.2%	37.5%	6.9%	6.9%
Eyesight	4.2%	15.3%	77.8%	1.4%	1.4%
Memory	4.2%	13.9%	75%	4.2%	2.8%
Mental Clarity	9.7%	15.3%	63.9%	6.9%	4.2%
Pain	9.9%	8.5%	69%	7%	5.6%
Patience	11.1%	26.4%	48.6%	8.3%	5.6%
Sexual Health	12.5%	20.8%	45.8%	12.5%	8.3%
Skin Complexion	11.1%	16.7%	47.2%	22.2%	2.8%
Sleep	13.9%	22.2%	47.2%	9.7%	6.9%
Stress Level	20.8%	11.1%	54.2%	11.1%	2.8%

About these Scores
Out of 100% of people surveyed, these results show the distribution in percentages of negative or positive changes in health and well-being experienced by users for all of the categories listed. Close

Commonly Reported Lutera (28) Side Effects

RateADrug survey participants experienced these commonly reported side effects:

Effect on:	None	Mild	Moderate	Strong	Severe
Acne	63.8%	17.2%	3.4%	10.3%	5.2%
Allergic Reaction	97.1%	0%	2.9%	0%	0%
Anxiety	42.9%	21.4%	14.3%	14.3%	7.1%
Blurred Vision	85.7%	0%	0%	7.1%	7.1%
Breast Tenderness	49.3%	18.8%	13%	14.5%	4.3%
Breathing Difficulties	78.6%	14.3%	0%	0%	7.1%
Change in Sex Drive	43.5%	15.9%	15.9%	15.9%	8.7%
Cold Symptoms	78.6%	14.3%	7.1%	0%	0%
Confusion	78.6%	0%	14.3%	0%	7.1%
Depression	56.9%	15.3%	12.5%	5.6%	9.7%
Diarrhea	78.6%	14.3%	0%	7.1%	0%
Dizziness	70.4%	11.3%	5.6%	4.2%	8.5%
Drowsiness	50%	28.6%	0%	7.1%	14.3%
Fatigue	44.4%	11.1%	13.9%	15.3%	15.3%
Fever	78.6%	7.1%	0%	14.3%	0%
Gas	64.3%	21.4%	0%	14.3%	0%
Headache	44.4%	13.9%	13.9%	18.1%	9.7%
High Blood Pressure	89.7%	1.7%	1.7%	5.2%	1.7%
Insomnia	71.4%	0%	7.1%	7.1%	14.3%
Irregular Bleeding	64.5%	12.9%	6.5%	9.7%	6.5%
Irregular Heartbeat	85.7%	0%	7.1%	0%	7.1%
Mood Swings	44.4%	15.3%	15.3%	12.5%	12.5%
Muscle Cramping	57.1%	14.3%	14.3%	0%	14.3%
Nausea	56.5%	20.3%	4.3%	8.7%	10.1%
Sensitivity to Light	71.4%	14.3%	7.1%	0%	7.1%
Sexual Dysfunction	71.4%	0%	7.1%	7.1%	14.3%
Stomach Ache	57.1%	7.1%	7.1%	7.1%	21.4%
Yeast Infection	86.8%	4.4%	7.4%	1.5%	0%

About these Scores
Out of 100% of people surveyed, these results show the distribution in percentages of the severity of side effects experienced by users. Scores gain significance with the number of ratings, so please share your experiences - rate your drug! Close

Less Commonly Reported Lutera (28) Side Effects

RateADrug survey participants experienced less commonly reported side effects:

Effect on:	None	Mild	Moderate	Strong	Severe
Abdominal Pain	46.6%	27.6%	13.8%	6.9%	5.2%
Anxiety	58.6%	15.5%	10.3%	6.9%	8.6%
Blurred Vision	79.3%	12.1%	5.2%	1.7%	1.7%
Breathing Difficulties	82.5%	10.5%	3.5%	1.8%	1.8%
Change in Weight	43.5%	27.5%	14.5%	10.1%	4.3%
Chest Pain	80.9%	5.9%	8.8%	0%	4.4%
Diabetes	98.5%	0%	0%	1.5%	0%
Eye / Vision Problems	83.8%	8.8%	2.9%	4.4%	0%
Irregular Bleeding	71.4%	14.3%	14.3%	0%	0%
Irregular Periods (women)	69%	10.3%	12.1%	3.4%	5.2%
Numbing Sensation	83.8%	13.2%	1.5%	1.5%	0%
Pain in Limbs	77.9%	5.9%	8.8%	5.9%	1.5%
Reduced Libido	68.9%	8.9%	6.7%	8.9%	6.7%
Thrombosis (Blood Clotting)	97.1%	0%	0%	0%	2.9%

About these Scores
Out of 100% of people surveyed, these results show the distribution in percentages of the severity of side effects experienced by users. Scores gain significance with the number of ratings, so please share your experiences - rate your drug! Close

Episodes since taking Lutera (28)

Since taking Lutera (28) Rate a Drug survey participants reported these episodes:

Auto Accident	1%
Blindness	1%
Fall	1.9%

Hallucination	1.9%
Heart attack	1%
Hospitalization	1.9%

About these Results
Out of 100% of people surveyed, these results show the percentage of users who have experienced any of these episodes while taking their medication. Close

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User Comments about Lutera (28)

15 Jun 2017	i was on Lutera for 8 months and totally affected my mental health. I thought I was going crazy. i fell into depression and had severe Anxiety attacks almost every day. I gained 10 pounds. my sex drive was gone, my legs and arms woulg feel numb. i got blurry vision. i wish i would've never taken this drug. i stopped taking it about 3 weeks ago and i have been feeling better bt on occasion ill get anxiety, hopefully after a couple of months my period regulates and my hormoes go back to normal. if you are going through the same thing. PLEASE STOP TAKING THE PILL. —Posted by Martina Respond Display Name: Email: (Required) Notify me of new comments Email me monthly survey results Sending... I agree to the Terms of Use
17 Sep 2015	I am having surgery in 4 days at 19 to have 50% of my liver removed because Lutera gave me a liver adenoma. Yes at 18 I found out I had a rumor in my liver. And now at 19 it's causing enough pain and problems it must come out. Do not. I repeat do NOT take this birthcontrol!!! —Posted by Anonymous Respond Display Name: Email: (Required) Notify me of new comments Email me monthly survey results Sending... I agree to the Terms of Use
18 Dec 2014	I am first time user of Birth control pills and my doctor recommended it to me, being that its a low dose of birth control. Initially, I did I have increase appetite, weight gain, and acne as well as headaches at times. I gained 10 lbs within 1.5 month. My appetite did taper down after the first 2-3 months. The pill was effective and easy to use! The only Major concern I had was that during intercourse I would feel a burning sensation, which I believe may have been from vaginal dryness from the pill because I've never had discomfort before. For this reason alone, I am looking into try another Birth control method. Overall, it did what its suppose to but I would like to enjoy intercourse without the pain. I rate it an 8/10. —Posted by Anonymous Respond Display Name: Email: (Required) Notify me of new comments Email me monthly survey results Sending... I agree to the Terms of Use
11 Jun 2013	Please lady if you have any problems with this drug. Please contact the FDA. . —Posted by Bodilley104 Respond Display Name: Email: (Required) Notify me of new comments Email me monthly survey results Sending... I agree to the Terms of Use
03 Jan 2013	I have been doing okay on Lutera apart from my left breast feels heavy and my back sore on the left side too, starting to worry because I've heard of blood clots. I'm into my second pack. I know once I'm done with pack 3 im done with them. I only wanted them to help rebalance my hormones after taking Yasmin. —Posted by Janie Respond Display Name: Email: (Required) Notify me of new comments Email me monthly survey results Sending... I agree to the Terms of Use