Mono-linyah, Sprintec 28, Vylibra, Previfem, Norgestimate Ethinyl Estradiol, Mili, Nymyo, Estarylla, Femynor

Medically reviewed by Dena Westphalen, PharmD on May 30, 2023
Written by Helen Marshall, BPharm, MRPharmS

This article describes Sprintec’s uses, side effects, and more. Below you’ll also find some coupon options to help save on the cost of Sprintec.

Boxed warning: Risk of serious heart and blood vessel problems with cigarette smoking

Sprintec has a boxed warning about the risk of serious heart and blood vessel problems in people who smoke cigarettes. Boxed warnings are serious warnings from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

For details, see the “Interactions and warnings for Sprintec” section below.

Sprintec may cause mild or serious side effects. More common mild side effects of Sprintec and its serious side effects are listed below. This article doesn’t include all possible side effects of the drug. Side effects can vary based on your age, overall health, and any other medications you take.

To learn more about Sprintec’s side effects, ask your doctor or pharmacist. You can also read the prescribing information* for Sprintec.

* To view Sprintec’s prescribing information, see the “Article resources” section below.

Mild side effects

More common mild side effects reported with Sprintec are listed below.

This article doesn’t include all possible mild side effects of the drug. To learn more about Sprintec’s side effects, see the prescribing information* for Sprintec.

With many drugs, mild side effects may go away within a few days or a couple of weeks. If the side effects are bothersome, tell your doctor or pharmacist. They may be able to suggest ways to manage them.

Sprintec oral tablet’s mild side effects include:

• headache or migraine
• abdominal pain
• vaginal infection or discharge
• breast pain or enlargement
• mild allergic reaction†

* To view Sprintec’s prescribing information, see the “Article resources” section below.
† For details about this side effect, see the “Interactions and warnings for Sprintec” section below.

Serious side effects

Serious side effects of Sprintec are listed below.

This article doesn’t include all possible serious side effects of the drug. To learn more about Sprintec’s side effects, see the prescribing information* for Sprintec.

With many drugs, serious side effects are possible but not common. If you have serious side effects from this drug, call your doctor right away. If you’re having severe symptoms or a medical emergency, call 911 or a local emergency number.

Sprintec’s serious side effects include:

• blood clots
• heart attack or stroke
• depression
• increased risk of breast cancer
• liver problems, such as jaundice (yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes)
• gallbladder problems, such as gallstones
• increased blood pressure
• increased cholesterol or triglyceride levels
• boxed warning: risk of serious heart and blood vessel problems with cigarette smoking†
• severe allergic reaction†

* To view Sprintec’s prescribing information, see the “Article resources” section below.
† For details about this side effect, see the “Interactions and warnings for Sprintec” section below.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves prescription drugs such as Sprintec for certain conditions. Approved uses for Sprintec are described below.

Use for pregnancy prevention

Doctors may prescribe Sprintec oral tablet to help prevent pregnancy. It’s used for this purpose in females.* The drug may be prescribed to adolescents who have started their periods and adults who have not gone through menopause. It’s usually prescribed as a long-term treatment.

Sprintec is an oral contraceptive (birth control pill). It comes in a pack containing 21 blue pills and 7 white pills. The blue pills contain two hormones, ethinyl estradiol (a form of estrogen) and norgestimate (a form of progesterone). The white pills are inactive. You’ll take one pill every day, starting with the blue pills.

The hormones in the blue pills help prevent pregnancy by stopping your ovaries from releasing an egg each month. While you’re taking the white pills, the levels of these hormones fall in your body. You’ll usually have your period while taking the white pills.

* Sex and gender exist on spectrums. In this article, we use the term “female” to refer to a person’s sex assigned at birth.

Below you’ll find answers to a few commonly asked questions about Sprintec.

Can Sprintec be used for acne or PCOS?

Sprintec isn’t approved for acne or polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), but doctors may prescribe it off-label for these uses. (PCOS is a disorder that affects hormones.) With off-label use, doctors prescribe a drug for a purpose other than what it’s approved for.

The hormones in Sprintec can help reduce acne, including acne related to PCOS. They can also help reduce other symptoms of PCOS, such as irregular periods and excessive facial hair growth.

If you’re interested in taking Sprintec for acne or PCOS, talk with your doctor.

Will I skip a period while taking Sprintec?

You might. Most people taking Sprintec have their period during the 7 days of taking the white inactive pills. But some people find their periods get much lighter or even stop while taking Sprintec.

If you skip a period while taking Sprintec, keep in mind that no form of birth control is 100% effective. It’s still possible to become pregnant while taking Sprintec, especially if you miss doses.

If you skip your period, missed doses of Sprintec, and had sex without using a barrier method of birth control (such as a condom) that month, you may be pregnant. In this case, it’s recommended that you see your doctor or take a pregnancy test. If you skip your period but you took all your doses that month, it’s highly unlikely that you’ll be pregnant. But if you skip two periods in a row, you should take a pregnancy test or see your doctor.

What do I do if I miss a dose of Sprintec?

If you miss a dose of Sprintec, you may not be protected from pregnancy. What to do depends on where you are in your pack, how many pills you miss, and whether you’ve had sex without using a barrier method of birth control. You can find detailed instructions in the medication guide that comes with Sprintec. If you’re not sure what to do, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Is weight loss a side effect of Sprintec?

Possibly. Some people may have weight changes while taking Sprintec. This could be weight loss or weight gain. But this isn’t a common side effect.

If you’re concerned that Sprintec might affect your weight, talk with your doctor. They can recommend ways to maintain a weight that’s healthy for you.

How does Sprintec work? And how long does it take to start working?

Sprintec contains hormones that work in three ways to help prevent pregnancy. The hormones stop your ovaries from releasing an egg each month. They also thicken the mucus in your cervix. These actions help prevent sperm from reaching and fertilizing an egg. In addition, Sprintec stops the lining of your uterus from building up as usual each month. This makes it harder for any fertilized egg to implant into your uterus.

How long Sprintec takes to work depends on a few factors, including where you are in your menstrual cycle when you start taking it.

Your doctor can tell you how soon you’ll be protected after starting Sprintec. You may be protected from pregnancy right away, or it may take 7 days before you’re protected. In this case, you should either avoid sex or use an extra method of birth control for the first 7 days of taking Sprintec.

To learn more about how Sprintec works, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

The dosage of Sprintec is one pill once per day, starting with the blue pills. (Each package of Sprintec contains some blue and some white pills.)

Taking Sprintec

Sprintec pills are taken by mouth, with or without food. It’s recommended that you take your Sprintec dose at the same time every day.

Your doctor will talk with you about how to take Sprintec and when to start taking it. Always follow your doctor’s recommendation.

Overdose of Sprintec

You should not take more Sprintec than your doctor prescribes. For some drugs, doing so may lead to serious side effects or overdose.

If you think you’ve taken too much Sprintec, call your doctor or pharmacist right away. Or you could call 800-222-1222 to speak with someone at America’s Poison Centers. You can also use its online resource. If you have concerning symptoms, call 911 or a local emergency number immediately. You can also go to the closest emergency room.

You may be able to save money on your prescription for Sprintec by using our Perks discount coupons. They can be found at the end of this article.

If you have questions about how to pay for Sprintec, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Note: Optum Perks coupons cannot be used with insurance copays or benefits.

Below, you’ll find information about Sprintec’s possible interactions and warnings.

Interactions of Sprintec

Certain things may affect how a drug works. These include getting vaccines, consuming alcohol or certain foods, or taking the drug with other medications. This effect is called a drug interaction.

Before you take Sprintec, ask your doctor to check for possible interactions. Be sure to tell them about any of the following you take or use:

• prescription medications
• over-the-counter medications
• vitamins, herbs, or supplements

To learn about drug-condition interactions, see the “Warnings for Sprintec” section below.

Warnings for Sprintec

Some people should not take Sprintec, and others should take it cautiously.

Boxed warning: Risk of serious heart and blood vessel problems with cigarette smoking

Sprintec has a boxed warning about the risk of serious heart and blood vessel problems in people who smoke cigarettes. Boxed warnings are serious warnings from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Sprintec increases the risk of serious heart and blood vessel problems. These include blood clots, heart attack, and stroke. Though rare, these side effects were reported in studies of the drug. Smoking cigarettes while taking Sprintec raises your risk of these side effects. The risk increases with the number of cigarettes smoked and with age. It isn’t recommended to take Sprintec if you’re over 35 years old and you smoke.

If you have concerns about the risk of heart and blood vessel problems with Sprintec, talk with your doctor. They can advise whether Sprintec is safe for you. They may also recommend ways to help reduce your risk of these side effects. If you smoke, they’ll likely recommend ways to help you quit.

To learn more, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Other warnings

Sprintec could cause harm to people with certain health conditions. This effect is called a drug-condition interaction. Other factors can also affect whether Sprintec is a safe option for you.

Ask your doctor about specific warnings for Sprintec, and be sure to tell your doctor about your:

• current health, including any allergies to medications
• past health conditions or surgeries

Allergic reaction

Sprintec can cause an allergic reaction in some people. Severe allergic reactions are rare but possible.

If you’ve had an allergic reaction to Sprintec or any of its ingredients, your doctor will likely not prescribe Sprintec. They can tell you about medications that are safer options for you.

A mild allergic reaction may cause the following symptoms:

• skin rash
• itchiness
• flushing (temporary warmth, redness, or deepening of skin color)

A severe allergic reaction may cause the following symptoms:

• swelling under your skin, usually in your hands, feet, eyelids, or lips
• swelling of your mouth, throat, or tongue, which can cause breathing problems

If you have an allergic reaction to Sprintec, call your doctor right away. If you have severe symptoms, call 911 or a local emergency number.

Pregnancy or breastfeeding and Sprintec

Information about Sprintec and pregnancy and breastfeeding is described below.

Sprintec and pregnancy

Sprintec is a form of birth control. It should not be taken during pregnancy. If you’re planning a pregnancy, talk with your doctor before taking this medication. If you become pregnant while taking Sprintec, you should stop taking it and see your doctor.

Sprintec and breastfeeding

Sprintec should not typically be taken while breastfeeding. If you’re currently breastfeeding or planning to do so, talk with your doctor before taking this medication. Your doctor may recommend using a different form of birth control.

This article describes Sprintec’s uses and side effects, ways to save on cost, and more. Let your doctor know if you have questions about Sprintec or would like more details about it.

Here’s a list of some possible questions you may want to ask your doctor:

• Is Sprintec a low dose pill?
• Can anything make Sprintec less effective?
• How common are blood clots with Sprintec?
• How soon can I become pregnant after stopping Sprintec?

• Food and Drug Administration. (2023). Orange Book: Approved drug products with therapeutic equivalence evaluations. https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cder/ob/index.cfm
• Sprintec (norgestimate/ethinyl estradiol) tablets, for oral use. (2022). https://nctr-crs.fda.gov/fdalabel/services/spl/set-ids/90240210-0bca-4a55-99dc-19f2b40d8e3f/spl-doc

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.