Part Two of Cilest Information, Focusing on Side Effects, Discontinuation or Withdrawal Effects, and Additional Information

This second section of our medication database entry focuses on potential side effects, withdrawal or discontinuation effects, and additional information, while part one covers basic drug characteristics, uses and benefits.

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What are the possible side effects of my birth control pills?

  • If you experience any of the following serious side effects, stop taking the birth control pills and seek emergency medical attention or contact your doctor immediately:
    • an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of the throat; swelling of the lips, tongue, or face; or hives);
    • a blood clot in the lung (shortness of breath or pain in the chest);
    • a blood clot in an arm or leg (pain, redness, swelling, or numbness of an arm or leg);
    • high blood pressure (severe headache, flushing, blurred vision); or
    • liver damage (yellowing of the skin or eyes, nausea, abdominal pain or discomfort, unusual bleeding or bruising, severe fatigue).
  • Other, less serious side effects may be more likely to occur. Continue to take your birth control pills and talk to your doctor if you experience
    • headache or dizziness;
    • nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea;
    • breakthrough bleeding; or
    • breast tenderness.
  • These side effects may disappear or be less noticeable after 3 to 6 months of birth control use. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice if you find any side effect very bothersome.
  • The side effects listed below generally occur very rarely and are not considered serious. If you experience any of the following, talk to your doctor:
    • depression,
    • changes in weight or appetite,
    • vaginal yeast infection,
    • changes in menstrual cycle,
    • oily skin or acne,
    • changes in sex drive,
    • lethargy or fatigue,
    • bloating,
    • changes in skin color, or
    • changes in blood sugar.
  • Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.

What other drugs will affect my birth control pills?

  • Some drugs may decrease the effectiveness of birth control pills which may result in pregnancy. Use a second form of birth control if you are taking
    • a penicillin antibiotic such as amoxicillin (Amoxil, Polymox, Trimox, Wymox, Utimox, A-Cillin, Larotid, Augmentin, others), ampicillin (Principen, Omnipen, Penamp, Polycillin, Amplin, Amcill, Totacillin, others), bacampicillin (Spectrobid), carbenicillin (Geocillin), cloxacillin (Cloxapen, Tegopen), dicloxacillin (Dynapen, Dycill, Pathocil), nafcillin (Nafcil, Nallpen, Unipen), oxacillin (Bactocill, Prostphlin), or penicillin (Veetids, Pen Vee K, Bicillin, Permapen, others);
    • a tetracycline antibiotic such as demeclocycline (Declomycin), doxycycline (Doryx, Doxy, Vibramycin, Vibra-Tabs, others), minocycline (Minocin), or tetracycline (Sumycin, Teracyn, Achromycin, Robitet, Panmycin, others);
    • a barbiturate such as amobarbital (Amytal), butabarbital (Butisol), mephobarbital (Mebaral), secobarbital (Seconal), or phenobarbital (Luminal, Solfoton);
    • rifampin (Rifadin);
    • phenytoin (Dilantin);
    • carbamezepine (Tegretol); or
    • griseofulvin (Grisactin, Grifulvin V, Fulvicin PG).
  • Drugs other than those listed here may also interact with birth control pills. Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before taking any prescription or over-the-counter medicines.

Where can I get more information?

  • Your pharmacist has additional information about birth control pills written for health professionals that you may read.
  • Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.

Limitations and the Source of Our Online Medication Information Database

Although we have made considerable efforts to ensure that the information provided here is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, MedLibrary.org makes no guarantee to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. This medication information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend any specific pharmacotherapy. This is an educational resource only -- intended to supplement but not to replace the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of medically qualified healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, please check with your doctor, nurse or local pharmacist. MedLibrary.org does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information provided here.

Full public license and copyright information is available separately from Cerner Multum, Inc.

Version: 4.02. Revision Date: 2/14/03.

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