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Apri

  • Generic Name: desogestrel and ethinyl estradiol tablets
  • Brand Name: Apri
  • Drug Class: Contraceptives, Oral

Apri (Desogestrel and Ethinyl Estradiol Tablets) side effects drug center

 

PROFESSIONAL

CONSUMER

SIDE EFFECTS

 

Apri Side Effects Center

What Is Apri?

Apri (desogestrel and ethinyl estradiol) is a combination of female hormones that prevent ovulation used as a contraceptive to prevent pregnancy. Apri is available in generic form.

What Are Side Effects of Apri?

Common side effects of Apri include:

  • nausea (especially when you first start taking Apri),
  • vomiting,
  • headache,
  • stomach cramping,
  • bloating,
  • dizziness,
  • vaginal itching,
  • increased vaginal discharge,
  • breast tenderness or swelling,
  • nipple discharge,
  • freckles or darkening of facial skin,
  • increased hair growth,
  • loss of scalp hair,
  • changes in weight or appetite,
  • problems with contact lenses, or
  • decreased sex drive.
  • Acne may improve or get worse.
  • Vaginal bleeding between periods (spotting) or missed/irregular menstrual periods may occur, especially during the first few months of use.

Dosage for Apri

The dosage of the Apri Tablet 28-Day Regimen is one rose-colored tablet daily for 21 days, then one white tablet daily for 7 days, taken without interruption. After 28 tablets have been taken, a new course is started.

What Drugs, Substances, or Supplements Interact with Apri?

Apri may interact with acetaminophen, ascorbic acid (vitamin C), antibiotics, phenylbutazone, St. John's wort, seizure medicines, barbiturates, or HIV medicines. Tell your doctor all medications you use.

Apri During Pregnancy and Breastfeeding

Apri must not be used during pregnancy. If you have just given birth or had a pregnancy loss/abortion after the first 3 months, consult your doctor about birth control, and find out when it is safe to use birth control containing estrogen, such as this medication. This medication passes into breast milk. This may affect milk production and may have harmful effects on a nursing infant. Consult your doctor before breastfeeding.

Additional Information

Our Apri (desogestrel and ethinyl estradiol) Side Effects Drug Center provides a comprehensive view of available drug information on the potential side effects when taking this medication.

 

Apri Consumer Information

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Stop using birth control pills and call your doctor at once if you have:

  • signs of a stroke--sudden numbness or weakness (especially on one side of the body), sudden severe headache, slurred speech, problems with vision or balance;
  • signs of a blood clot--sudden vision loss, stabbing chest pain, feeling short of breath, coughing up blood, pain or warmth in one or both legs;
  • heart attack symptoms--chest pain or pressure, pain spreading to your jaw or shoulder, nausea, sweating;
  • liver problems--loss of appetite, upper stomach pain, tiredness, fever, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes);
  • increased blood pressure--severe headache, blurred vision, pounding in your neck or ears;
  • swelling in your hands, ankles, or feet;
  • changes in the pattern or severity of migraine headaches;
  • a breast lump; or
  • symptoms of depression--sleep problems, weakness, tired feeling, mood changes.

Common side effects may include:

  • nausea, vomiting (especially when you first start taking this medicine);
  • breast tenderness;
  • breakthrough bleeding;
  • acne, darkening of facial skin;
  • weight gain; or
  • problems with contact lenses.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Read the entire detailed patient monograph for Apri (Desogestrel and Ethinyl Estradiol Tablets)

 

Apri Professional Information

SIDE EFFECTS

An increased risk of the following serious adverse reactions has been associated with the use of oral contraceptives (see WARNINGS).

There is evidence of an association between the following conditions and the use of oral contraceptives:

  • Mesenteric thrombosis
  • Retinal thrombosis

The following adverse reactions have been reported in patients receiving oral contraceptives and are believed to be drug-related:

  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Gastrointestinal symptoms (such as abdominal cramps and bloating)
  • Breakthrough bleeding
  • Spotting
  • Change in menstrual flow
  • Amenorrhea
  • Temporary infertility after discontinuation of treatment
  • Edema
  • Melasma which may persist
  • Breast changes: tenderness, enlargement, secretion
  • Change in weight (increase or decrease)
  • Change in cervical erosion and secretion
  • Diminution in lactation when given immediately postpartum
  • Cholestatic jaundice
  • Migraine
  • Allergic reaction, including rash, urticaria, and angioedema
  • Mental depression
  • Reduced tolerance to carbohydrates
  • Vaginal candidiasis
  • Change in corneal curvature (steepening)
  • Intolerance to contact lenses

The following adverse reactions have been reported in users of oral contraceptives and a causal association has been neither confirmed nor refuted:

Read the entire FDA prescribing information for Apri (Desogestrel and Ethinyl Estradiol Tablets)

&Copy; Apri Patient Information is supplied by Cerner Multum, Inc. and Apri Consumer information is supplied by First Databank, Inc., used under license and subject to their respective copyrights.