| Combination of | |
|---|---|
| Ethinylestradiol | Estrogen |
| Norethisterone | Progestogen |
| Clinical data | |
| Trade names | Alyacen, Aranelle, Balziva, others |
| Other names | EE/NET |
| AHFS/Drugs.com | Monograph |
| MedlinePlus | a601050 |
| License data | |
| Routes of administration | By mouth |
| ATC code | |
| Legal status | |
| Legal status | |
| Identifiers | |
| CAS Number | |
| PubChemCID | |
| ChemSpider |
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| CompTox Dashboard(EPA) | |
Ethinylestradiol/norethisterone (EE/NET), orethinylestradiol/norethindrone, is acombination birth control pill which containsethinylestradiol (EE), anestrogen andnorethisterone (NET), aprogestin.[1] It is used forbirth control, symptoms ofmenstruation,endometriosis, andmenopausal symptoms.[1][2] Other uses includeacne.[1] It is taken by mouth.[1] Some preparations of EE/NET additionally contain aniron supplement in the form offerrous fumarate.[3]
Side effects can include nausea, headache,blood clots, breast pain, depression, andliver problems.[2] Use is not recommended duringpregnancy, the initial three weeks afterchildbirth, and in those at high risk of blood clots.[2][4] It, however, may be started immediately after amiscarriage orabortion.[4] Smoking while using combined birth control pills is not recommended.[5] It works by stoppingovulation, making theuterus not suitable forimplantation, and making themucus at the opening to thecervix thick.[4]
This combination pill was approved for medical use in the United States in 1964.[6] It is on theWorld Health Organization's List of Essential Medicines.[7] It is available as ageneric medication.[8] It is marketed under a large number of brand names.[9] In 2022, the combination of ethinylestradiol with norethisterone or with norethisterone acetate was the 80th most commonly prescribed medication in the United States, with more than 8 million prescriptions.[10][11]
