Article · Wikipedia archive · Last revised Jun 27, 2026

Ethinylestradiol/levonorgestrel

Ethinylestradiol/levonorgestrel (EE/LNG) is a combined birth control pill made up of ethinylestradiol and levonorgestrel. It is used for birth control, symptoms of menstruation, endometriosis, and as emergency contraception. It is taken by mouth. Some preparations of EE/LNG additionally contain an iron supplement in the form of ferrous bisglycinate or ferrous fumarate.

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Ethinylestradiol/levonorgestrel
Combination of
EthinylestradiolEstrogen
LevonorgestrelProgestogen
Clinical data
Trade namesAltavera, Alysena, Amethyst, others1
Other namesEE/LNG
AHFS/Drugs.comMonograph
MedlinePlusa601050
Routes of
administration		By mouth
ATC code
Legal status
Legal status
Identifiers
CAS Number
KEGG
Rigevidon, an example of a combined ethinylestradiol/levonorgestrel contraceptive pill source ↗

Ethinylestradiol/levonorgestrel (EE/LNG) is a combined birth control pill made up of ethinylestradiol (an estrogen) and levonorgestrel (a progestin).3 It is used for birth control, symptoms of menstruation, endometriosis, and as emergency contraception.13 It is taken by mouth.1 Some preparations of EE/LNG additionally contain an iron supplement in the form of ferrous bisglycinate or ferrous fumarate.4

Side effects can include nausea, headache, blood clots, breast pain, depression, and liver problems.3 Use is not recommended during pregnancy, the initial three weeks after childbirth, and in those at high risk of blood clots.3 However, it may be started immediately after a miscarriage or abortion.5 Smoking while using combined birth control pills is not recommended.1 It works by stopping ovulation, making the mucus at the opening to the cervix thick, and making the uterus not suitable for implantation.1

Ethinylestradiol/levonorgestrel has been approved for medical use in the United States since 1982.1 It is on the World Health Organization's List of Essential Medicines.6 It is available as a generic medication.7 It is marketed under many brand names.1 In 2023, it was the 138th most commonly prescribed medication in the United States, with more than 4 million prescriptions.89

See also

See also

References

References

  1. "Ethinyl estradiol and levonorgestrel medical facts from Drugs.com". www.drugs.com. Archived from the original on 1 January 2017. Retrieved 1 January 2017.
  2. "Product monograph brand safety updates". Health Canada. February 2024. Retrieved 24 March 2024.
  3. Stuart MC, Kouimtzi M, Hill SR, eds. (2009). WHO Model Formulary 2008. World Health Organization. pp. 363–5. hdl:10665/44053. ISBN 978-92-4-154765-9.
  4. Hamilton, RJ, ed. (April 2020). Tarascon Pocket Pharmacopoeia 2020 Deluxe Lab-Coat Edition. Jones & Bartlett Learning. pp. 347–. ISBN 978-1-284-40304-6.
  5. "Erlibelle 30micrograms/150micrograms film-coated tablets - Summary of Product Characteristics (SPC) - (eMC)". www.medicines.org.uk. Archived from the original on 2 January 2017. Retrieved 1 January 2017.
  6. The selection and use of essential medicines 2023: web annex A: World Health Organization model list of essential medicines: 23rd list (2023). Geneva: World Health Organization. 2023. hdl:10665/371090. WHO/MHP/HPS/EML/2023.02.
  7. Hamilton, RJ, ed. (2015). Tarascon Pocket Pharmacopoeia 2015 Deluxe Lab-Coat Edition. Jones & Bartlett Learning. p. 349. ISBN 978-1-284-05756-0.
  8. "Top 300 of 2023". ClinCalc. Archived from the original on 12 August 2025. Retrieved 12 August 2025.
  9. "Ethinyl Estradiol; Levonorgestrel Drug Usage Statistics, United States, 2013 - 2023". ClinCalc. Retrieved 18 August 2025.