Lutera Birth Control Pills

What is Lutera Birth Control Pills?
Important Information
What to know before taking
How to take them
What happens if a dose is missed?
Can you overdose?
Lutera Side Effects
Lutera Customer Reviews
What other medications can affect Lutera?

What are Lutera Birth Control Pills?

Lutera birth control pills are a combination hormone medication that is taken orally to prevent a pregnancy. The pill consists of two hormones; estrogen (ethinyl estradiol) and progestin (levonorgestrel, a synthetic form of progesterone). Lutera effectively works to prevent pregnancy in two ways. One is by preventing ovulation (preventing the release of an egg from the ovaries), and the other way is by changing the lining of the cervix which prevents the egg from attaching to the uterus.

Other uses of Lutera include regulating menstrual cycles, treating acne and decreasing the risk of ovarian cysts. For other uses of Lutera, consult your doctor.

Important Information about Lutera

Taking birth control while pregnant or breastfeeding can have serious negative effects on your baby. Do not take Lutera if you are breastfeeding or if there is a chance you might be pregnant. Consult your doctor before taking any prescription drug.

Taking Lutera birth control pills may affect certain lab test results. Make sure to inform your health care providers if you are taking Lutera.

Do not take Lutera if you have diabetes, as the drug might raise your blood sugar. You should not take birth control if you are over the age of 35 or if you smoke cigarettes, as your risk of complications is significantly increased.

Although Lutera birth control pills are effective at preventing pregnancy, they do not provide protection against sexually transmitted infections (STI’s). Protect yourself against diseases such as HIV and hepatitis by always using a latex or polyurethane condom during intercourse. Talk to your doctor if you think you might have a sexually transmitted disease.

What to Know Before Taking Lutera Birth Control Pills

Taking Lutera may increase your risk of having blood clots, heart attack and stroke. The risk of these complications increases when you are over the age of 35, or if you smoke.

Taking other prescribed drugs or natural supplement products may impact the effects of Lutera. Before taking Lutera, provide your doctor with a list of all prescription and nonprescription medications you’re taking.

While taking Lutera, you should:

Notify your health care providers (nurses, pharmacists, dentist and doctor)
Check your blood sugar regularly
Get regular breast exams and gynecology checkups

You should not take Lutera, or any oral contraceptive if:

You had surgery recently
Have a history of blood clots, heart attack or stroke
You are breastfeeding

Typically, withdrawal bleeding (menstruation) occurs after the discontinuation of the white tablets. Depending on the length of your period, it may not be finished before you start your next pack of birth control pills.

In some cases, it may take longer to become pregnant after you stop taking Lutera birth control pills.

How to Take Lutera Birth Control Pills

You can start taking the birth control pills on the first day of your period, or the first Sunday following your start date. Take one active hormone pill every day for 21 consecutive days, followed by one inactive pill every day for the next 7 days.

Lutera birth control pills are not always effective during the first week of taking the medication. For the first week, make sure to use a non-hormonal contraceptive as a backup to protect you from pregnancy.

There are two ways to start taking the birth control. Your doctor or medical provider will suggest one of the following methods of starting the pill.

Sunday Start – Start taking Lutera on the first Sunday after your period starts. Take one white pill every day for 21 days, followed by 7 days of the peach pills. After the 28 days, you should get your period.
Day 1 Start – Start taking the birth control on the same day that your menstruation cycle starts. Follow the same instructions as the Sunday start method and take the white pills for 21 consecutive days followed by the peach coloured pills for 7 days.

Lutera can be taken with or without food. If you experience nausea, try taking the birth control with food. The oral contraceptive is most effective when taken at the same time every day, and when you don’t miss any doses.

What Happens If You Miss a Dose of Lutera?

Like other birth control pills, Lutera is highly effective at preventing pregnancy (between 96% – 99%) when the directions are followed, and it is taken as directed.

If you forget to take a dose of Lutera, take the pill as soon as you remember it and then take another pill at the regular time. If you realize when taking a pill that you skipped a pill, take 2 pills right away at the same time and then go back to 1 pill the next day for the rest of the pack.

If you miss 2 doses of pills in a row, take 2 pills for the next 2 days and then go back to 1 pill each day. If you miss 2 doses, use a backup form of birth control for the next week.

If you miss 3 pills, throw away the pack of pills and start on a new pack right away. Use a backup method of birth control or abstinence for one week.

The probability of pregnancy is increased when the pill is not taken regularly or if doses are missed. If you forgot to take a dose of your birth control and your backup method (condom) fails, an emergency contraceptive or the ‘morning-after pill’ that can be taken to prevent pregnancy.

Can You Overdose from taking Lutera?

Taking to many doses of Lutera may cause symptoms that are like an overdose. If you experience any of the following, stop taking Lutera and speak with your doctor right away:

Heavy vaginal bleeding (2 – 7 days after the overdose)
Trouble breathing
Passing out
Nausea and vomiting

Lutera Side Effects

Lutera birth control contains ethinyl estradiol and levonorgestrel, which some people can be allergic to. If you experience signs of an allergic reaction such as hives, itching, wheezing, cough, swelling of the throat, tongue, lips or face; or if you have trouble breathing, stop taking the birth control and seek emergency help right away.

Some of the common side effects of Lutera include:

Weight gain
Nausea or vomiting
Enlarged or tender breasts
Nausea
Increased or decreased hunger
Cramps
Bloating
Hair loss
Acne
Low sex drive
Dizziness
Headache
Vision problems

Serious side effects of Lutera are rare but might occur. Seek emergency medical attention if you have:

Shortness of breath / difficulty breathing
Severe chest pain
Coughing up blood
Loss or blurred vision
Breast soreness, lump or nipple discharge
Not able to pass urine
Severe stomach pain
Severe pain in leg, calf or thigh

Lutera Customer Reviews

Lutera Side Effects

Lutera holds a 3-star rating on Drugs.com and maintains a 6.5 out of 10 average rating from its users. Lutera users are satisfied with the birth control and most report that their period was regulated, and they experienced lighter periods with less cramps. On the other hand, some users reported that they experienced significant weight gain (20 – 30 pounds) while taking Lutera, along with bloating, drowsiness, spotting and increased anxiety.

Lutera birth control pills are not for everyone. Before taking Lutera, speak to your doctor and find out which birth control method is right for you.

Which Other Medications Can Affect Lutera?

There are many medications and ingredients that may interfere with the effectiveness of Lutera. Do not take medications that contain any of the following while you are taking Lutera:

Aromatase inhibitors (anastrozole or exemestane)
Ospemifene
Tamoxifen
Tizanidine
Tranexamic acid
Products used to treat chronic hepatitis C

This does include a full list of ingredients that may interact with Lutera. Your healthcare provider can provide a full list of medications to avoid while taking Lutera. Before starting any new medication, check with your doctor.