Specifically, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Vienva to prevent pregnancy in females* who are able to become pregnant.
Vienva is a brand-name medication, which comes as a tablet that you swallow. It’s available in a generic version called levonorgestrel/ethinyl estradiol. This article describes possible side effects of Vienva. You’ll also find information on cost savings and coupon options for Vienva.
* Sex and gender exist on spectrums. In this article, we use the term “female” to refer to a person’s sex assigned at birth.
Boxed warning: Risk of heart and blood vessel problems in some people
Vienva has a boxed warning for the risk of heart and blood vessel problems in people who smoke. Boxed warnings are serious warnings from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
For details, see the “Warnings for Vienva” section below.
More common side effects of Vienva
Vienva may cause mild or serious side effects. Below are some of the more common side effects of this medication.
Commonly reported side effects of Vienva include:
* To learn more about this side effect, see the “Side effects of Vienva in detail” section below.
Mild side effects of Vienva
Vienva may cause certain mild side effects. Usually, mild side effects are temporary and can be easily managed. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have side effects that don’t go away or become bothersome.
Mild side effects of Vienva that occurred in studies include:
Vienva may cause more mild side effects than those listed above. For details, see the drug’s prescribing information.
* To learn more about this side effect, see the “Side effects of Vienva in detail” section below.
Serious side effects of Vienva
Vienva may cause certain serious side effects. If you have any serious side effects from Vienva, call your doctor right away. But if you think you’re having a medical emergency or your side effects feel life threatening, take immediate action. Call 911 or a local emergency number, or go to the nearest emergency room.
After the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves a drug, it tracks and reviews side effects of the medication. Visit MedWatch’s website if you’d like to notify the FDA about a side effect you’ve had with Vienva.
Serious side effects of Vienva that occurred in studies include:
Serious eye-related side effects of Vienva that occurred in studies include:
* To learn more about this side effect, see the “Side effects of Vienva in detail” section below.
† Vienva has a boxed warning for this risk. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). To learn more about this risk, see the “Warnings for Vienva” section below.
Common questions about side effects of Vienva
Here are answers to some common questions about side effects of Vienva. If you have other questions, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
Are there side effect reviews available for Vienva?
Your doctor may have information about reviews or provide feedback from other people who’ve taken Vienva. Ask your doctor for details. If you have concerns about a specific side effect of this drug, tell your doctor. They may be able to share details about other people’s experiences with this medication.
Can Vienva cause anxiety?
Anxiety wasn’t listed as a specific side effect in studies of Vienva. But the drug can cause changes in moods or emotions. So, it’s possible that anxiety could occur while taking Vienva.
If you notice new anxiety or other changes in your moods, tell your doctor. They can evaluate your symptoms and may suggest ways to manage them.
Does Vienva cause long-term side effects?
Usually, mild side effects of Vienva ease within the first 3 months of treatment. But serious side effects can occur after using the drug for a long time. These include an increased risk of blood clots,* noncancerous liver tumors, and possibly breast cancer and cervical cancer.
Talk with your doctor about the possible risks of taking Vienva for a long time. Ask whether it’s safe for you to take it long term based on your medical history. Together, you can decide what’s right for you.
* To learn more about this side effect, see the “Side effects of Vienva in detail” section below.
Coupon for Vienva
Visit this page to access Optum Perks coupons and get price estimates for Vienva when you use the coupons. These coupons can provide significant savings on your prescription costs.
Note: Optum Perks coupons cannot be used with insurance copays or benefits.
Side effects of Vienva in detail
Below you’ll find details on some of the side effects of Vienva.
Weight gain
Weight gain was a common side effect reported in studies of Vienva. But weight loss is also possible with Vienva.
Keep in mind, it’s usual to have slight weight fluctuations with your periods. And Vienva can affect your periods. It can also cause fluid retention, which can cause swelling in your fingers or ankles. This may lead to slight changes in your weight. Vienva can also cause changes in appetite, including increased or decreased appetite. Eating more or less than you usually do can lead to weight changes.
Ways to manage
If you have concerns about your weight or notice changes after starting Vienva, talk with your doctor. They can check to see what may be causing your weight change. They can also suggest ways to help you maintain a body weight that’s healthy for you. This may include taking a drug other than Vienva.
Blood clots
Blood clots are possible with Vienva. But they weren’t common in the drug’s studies. When blood clots occur, they can be very serious and may lead to death.
The conditions blood clots may cause depend on where the clots form. Possible areas and conditions include:
Blood clots can also occur in other organs.
Symptoms of a possible blood clot include:
- chest pain
- double vision or other vision problems
- pain, swelling, or warmth in the lower leg
- shortness of breath
- sudden problems speaking, understanding speech, or moving one side of the face or body
With Vienva, the risk of blood clots increases with long-term use and is higher if you:
- are older than 35 years of age
- have high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or obesity
- have an inherited clotting disorder
- have surgery
- need to stay in bed for a long time
- recently gave birth or had an abortion
- smoke cigarettes*
* Vienva has a boxed warning for this risk. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). To learn more about this risk, see the “Warnings for Vienva” section below.
Ways to manage
Talk with your doctor about the risk of developing blood clots. Ask about risk factors that apply to you and how you can manage them, if possible. If you smoke, ask your doctor about ways to quit and whether Vienva is safe for you.
If you develop symptoms of a blood clot, seek immediate medical care, or call 911 or a local emergency number.
High blood pressure
High blood pressure is a possible side effect of Vienva. High blood pressure usually doesn’t cause any symptoms. But it can lead to serious problems, including increasing the risk of blood clots, stroke, and heart disease.
If you’re otherwise healthy, the risk of developing high blood pressure with Vienva is low. The risk of high blood pressure increases with long-term use of Vienva. It’s also higher if you:
* Vienva has a boxed warning for this risk. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). To learn more about this risk, see the “Warnings for Vienva” section below.
Ways to manage
Your doctor will check your blood pressure periodically during Vienva treatment. If high blood pressure becomes a problem, they’ll likely recommend stopping the drug. Blood pressure usually returns to a normal range after stopping Vienva.
Allergic reaction
For some people, Vienva can cause an allergic reaction. But this side effect isn’t common, according to the drug’s studies.
Symptoms can be mild or serious, and they may include:
- itchiness
- skin rash
- swelling under the skin, usually affecting eyelids, lips, hands, or feet
- swelling of the mouth, tongue, or throat, which can make it hard to breathe
- flushing (temporary warmth, redness, or deepening of skin color)
Ways to manage
For mild allergic reaction symptoms, such as a mild rash, call your doctor right away. They may recommend treatments to help manage your symptoms. They’ll also let you know if you should keep taking the medication.
For severe allergic reaction symptoms, such as swelling or trouble breathing, call 911 or your local emergency number right away. These symptoms require immediate medical care because they can become life threatening. If you’ve had a serious allergic reaction to Vienva, your doctor may recommend taking a different medication.
Warnings for Vienva
Below are some factors you may want to discuss with your doctor before taking Vienva.
Boxed warning: Risk of heart and blood vessel problems in some people
Vienva has a boxed warning for the risk of heart and blood vessel problems in people who smoke. Boxed warnings are serious warnings from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
Examples of heart and blood vessel problems that may occur include:
This risk increases as people age and if they smoke more often.
If you smoke, talk with your doctor about these risks. Ask about ways to quit smoking and whether Vienva is safe for you.
Warnings
It may not be safe for you to take Vienva if you have specific health conditions. These are sometimes called drug-condition interactions. Other things may also affect whether Vienva is a safe treatment option for you.
Before taking Vienva, tell your doctor about your health and the medications you take. Things to consider include:
- past allergic reaction to Vienva
- past or present blood clots
- depression or other mental health conditions
- diabetes
- gallbladder problems
- heart problems, such as heart disease, angina, heart valve disorders, or heart rhythm problems
- high blood pressure
- high cholesterol or high triglycerides
- past heart attack or stroke
- known or possible cancer, including those of the vagina, breast, cervix, or uterus
- liver disease or past liver problems, such as liver tumors, jaundice, or hepatitis C that was treated with certain medications
- recent or upcoming major surgery
- migraine
- unexplained vaginal bleeding
Vienva and pregnancy
You should not take Vienva if you’re pregnant or think you might be pregnant.
Doctors prescribe Vienva to help prevent pregnancy. Although rare, it’s possible to become pregnant while taking this birth control drug. If pregnancy occurs, there’s a risk that it may be an ectopic pregnancy. (With this condition, a fertilized egg implants outside of the uterus.)
Call your doctor right away if you think you might be pregnant while taking Vienva. They’ll probably tell you to stop taking the drug. That said, taking it for a short time during pregnancy isn’t likely to cause harm.
Vienva and breastfeeding
Taking Vienva while breastfeeding is not recommended.
Vienva can decrease milk production. It can also pass into human milk and cause side effects in a breastfeeding child.
Tell your doctor if you’re breastfeeding or plan to do so. They’ll likely advise that you use other birth control methods while you’re breastfeeding.
Vienva and alcohol
Vienva isn’t known to interact with alcohol.
But alcohol can cause some of the same side effects as Vienva, especially when you first start taking it. These include nausea, vomiting, and dizziness. These side effects tend to go away after the first 3 months of Vienva treatment.
If you drink alcohol, talk with your doctor about whether it’s safe to consume it during Vienva treatment.
What to ask your doctor
This article describes common and serious side effects of Vienva. If your doctor prescribes this medication, they can discuss possible side effects with you. Talk with your doctor if you have concerns or questions about treatment with this medication.
Here’s a list of some possible questions you may want to ask your doctor:
- Based on my medical history, do I have a higher risk of side effects with Vienva?
- What can I do to lower my risk of long-term side effects with Vienva?
- How long is it safe for me to take Vienva?
Disclaimer: Optum Perks has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.
