On this page · 5 sections

Jinteli (Oral)

Generic name: ethinyl estradiol and norethindrone

Brand names: Femhrt 1/5, Femhrt Lo, Gildess 1.5/30, Jevantique, Jinteli, Junel 1/20, Junel 1.5/30, Larin 1/20, Loestrin 1/20, Loestrin 1.5/30, Microgestin 1/20, Microgestin 1.5/30

Last updated January 24, 2026 0 views
Share

Uses for Jinteli

Ethinyl estradiol and norethindrone combination is used to prevent pregnancy. It is a birth control pill that contains two hormones, ethinyl estradiol and norethindrone. When taken correctly, it prevents pregnancy by stopping a woman's egg from fully developing each month. This means the egg cannot accept sperm, which prevents fertilization (pregnancy).

No contraceptive method is 100 percent effective. Other birth control methods, like surgery to prevent pregnancy or abstaining from sex, are more effective than birth control pills. Talk to your doctor about your birth control options.

This medicine does not prevent HIV infection or other sexually transmitted diseases. It will not work as emergency contraception after unprotected sex.

This medicine is available only with your doctor's prescription.

This section was rewritten for readability and reviewed for meaning.

Precautions while using Jinteli

It is very important for your doctor to check your progress at regular visits to ensure this medicine is working properly and does not cause unwanted effects. These visits will usually be every 6 to 12 months, but some doctors may want to see you more often. Your doctor may also want to check your blood pressure while you take this medicine.

Even though you are using this medicine to prevent pregnancy, you should know that using it while pregnant could harm the unborn baby. If you think you might be pregnant while using this medicine, tell your doctor right away. Make sure your doctor knows if you have given birth within the last 4 weeks before you start using this medicine.

Do not use this medicine together with medicines for treating hepatitis C virus infection, including ombitasvir/paritaprevir/ritonavir, with or without dasabuvir (Technivie®, Viekira Pak®).

You may experience vaginal bleeding of various amounts between your regular menstrual periods during the first 3 months of use. This is sometimes called spotting when it is slight, or breakthrough bleeding when it is heavier.

  • If this occurs, continue with your regular dosing schedule.
  • The bleeding usually stops within 1 week. Check with your doctor if the bleeding continues for more than 1 week.
  • If the bleeding continues after you have been taking hormonal contraceptives on schedule for more than 3 months, check with your doctor.

Check with your doctor right away if you miss a menstrual period. Missed periods may happen if you skip one or more tablets and have not taken your pills exactly as directed. If you miss two periods in a row, call your doctor for a pregnancy test before you take any more pills.

If you think you may be pregnant, check with your doctor right away.

Do not use this medicine if you smoke cigarettes or if you are over 35 years old. If you smoke while using norethindrone and ethinyl estradiol combination, you increase your risk of having a blood clot, heart attack, or stroke. Your risk is even higher if you are over age 35, have diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or are overweight. Talk with your doctor about ways to stop smoking. Keep your diabetes under control. Ask your doctor about diet and exercise to manage your weight and blood cholesterol level.

Using this medicine may increase your risk of having blood clotting problems. Check with your doctor right away if you experience pain in the chest, groin, or legs, especially the calves, difficulty breathing, a sudden severe headache, slurred speech, sudden unexplained shortness of breath, sudden loss of coordination, or vision changes while using this medicine.

Using this medicine may increase your risk of having cancer of the breast or reproductive organs (e.g., endometrium, ovaries, cervix). Discuss this risk with your doctor. Check with your doctor immediately if you experience abnormal vaginal bleeding.

Check with your doctor immediately if you wear contact lenses or if you have blurred vision, difficulty reading, or any other changes in vision during or after treatment. Your doctor may want an eye doctor (ophthalmologist) to examine your eyes.

Check with your doctor right away if you have pain or tenderness in the upper stomach, dark urine or pale stools, or yellowing of the eyes or skin. These could be signs of a serious liver problem.

This medicine may increase your risk of gallbladder disease. Check with your doctor if you start to have stomach pain, nausea, or vomiting.

Check with your doctor before refilling an old prescription, especially after a pregnancy. You will need another physical examination, and your doctor may change your prescription.

Make sure any doctor or dentist treating you knows that you are using this medicine. The results of some medical tests may be affected by this medicine. You may also need to stop using this medicine at least 4 weeks before and 2 weeks after having major surgery.

Do not take other medicines unless your doctor has discussed them with you. This includes prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicines and herbal (e.g., St. John's wort) or vitamin supplements.

This section was rewritten for readability and reviewed for meaning.

Before using Jinteli

In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the benefits it will provide. This is a decision you and your doctor will make together. For this medicine, the following should be considered:

Allergies

Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to this medicine or any other medicines. Also inform your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.

Pediatric

Appropriate studies on the relationship of age to the effects of ethinyl estradiol and norethindrone combination have not been performed in children and teenagers. However, there are no expected problems specific to this age group that would limit the usefulness of this medication in teenage females, but it should not be used before menstruation begins.

Geriatric

No information is available on how age affects the effects of ethinyl estradiol and norethindrone combination in older patients.

Breast Feeding

There are no adequate studies in women to determine the risk to infants when using this medication while breastfeeding. Consider the potential benefits against the potential risks before taking this medication while breastfeeding.

Interactions with Medicines

While some medicines should not be taken together at all, in other cases, two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these instances, your doctor may want to change the dose or take other precautions. It is especially important that your healthcare professional knows if you are taking any of the medicines listed below when you are using this medicine. The following interactions have been selected based on their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive.

Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is not recommended. Your doctor may decide not to treat you with this medication or change some of the other medicines you take.

  • Dasabuvir
  • Ombitasvir
  • Paritaprevir
  • Ritonavir
  • Tranexamic Acid

Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be necessary in some cases. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may adjust the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.

  • Amifampridine
  • Amobarbital
  • Amoxicillin
  • Ampicillin
  • Amprenavir
  • Anagrelide
  • Apalutamide
  • Aprepitant
  • Armodafinil
  • Artemether
  • Bacampicillin
  • Belzutifan
  • Betamethasone
  • Bexarotene
  • Boceprevir
  • Bosentan
  • Bupropion
  • Butabarbital
  • Butalbital
  • Carbamazepine
  • Carbenicillin
  • Cefaclor
  • Cefadroxil
  • Cefdinir
  • Cefditoren
  • Cefixime
  • Cefpodoxime
  • Cefprozil
  • Ceftazidime
  • Ceftibuten
  • Cefuroxime
  • Cenobamate
  • Ceritinib
  • Clobazam
  • Cloxacillin
  • Cobicistat
  • Colesevelam
  • Cyclacillin
  • Cyclosporine
  • Dabrafenib
  • Darunavir
  • Dexamethasone
  • Dicloxacillin
  • Dipyrone
  • Donepezil
  • Doxycycline
  • Efavirenz
  • Elagolix
  • Elvitegravir
  • Encorafenib
  • Enzalutamide
  • Eslicarbazepine Acetate
  • Etravirine
  • Felbamate
  • Fosamprenavir
  • Fosaprepitant
  • Fosphenytoin
  • Fostemsavir
  • Glecaprevir
  • Grazoprevir
  • Griseofulvin
  • Guar Gum
  • Indinavir
  • Iron
  • Isotretinoin
  • Ivosidenib
  • Lesinurad
  • Lixisenatide
  • Lopinavir
  • Lorlatinib
  • Lumacaftor
  • Mavacamten
  • Mephobarbital
  • Meropenem
  • Methohexital
  • Minocycline
  • Mitapivat
  • Mitotane
  • Mobocertinib
  • Modafinil
  • Mycophenolate Mofetil
  • Mycophenolic Acid
  • Nafcillin
  • Nelfinavir
  • Nevirapine
  • Nirmatrelvir
  • Octreotide
  • Oxacillin
  • Oxcarbazepine
  • Oxytetracycline
  • Paclitaxel
  • Paclitaxel Protein-Bound
  • Penicillin G
  • Penicillin G Procaine
  • Penicillin V
  • Pentobarbital
  • Phenobarbital
  • Phenylbutazone
  • Phenytoin
  • Pibrentasvir
  • Piperaquine
  • Pitolisant
  • Prednisolone
  • Prednisone
  • Primidone
  • Red Clover
  • Rifabutin
  • Rifampin
  • Rifapentine
  • Rilpivirine
  • Ritonavir
  • Rufinamide
  • Saquinavir
  • Secobarbital
  • Simeprevir
  • Somatrogon-ghla
  • St John's Wort
  • Sugammadex
  • Sultamicillin
  • Tazemetostat
  • Telaprevir
  • Telotristat Ethyl
  • Tetracycline
  • Theophylline
  • Thiopental
  • Thioridazine
  • Ticarcillin
  • Tigecycline
  • Tipranavir
  • Tirzepatide
  • Tizanidine
  • Topiramate
  • Troglitazone
  • Ulipristal
  • Valproic Acid
  • Voxilaprevir

Using this medicine with any of the following medicines may increase the risk of certain side effects, but using both drugs may be the best treatment option for you. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may adjust the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.

  • Amitriptyline
  • Atazanavir
  • Atorvastatin
  • Clomipramine
  • Diazepam
  • Doxepin
  • Etoricoxib
  • Ginseng
  • Imipramine
  • Lamotrigine
  • Levothyroxine
  • Licorice
  • Liothyronine
  • Lorazepam
  • Parecoxib
  • Roflumilast
  • Selegiline
  • Temazepam
  • Tipranavir
  • Triazolam
  • Troleandomycin
  • Valdecoxib
  • Voriconazole
  • Warfarin

Interactions with Food/Tobacco/Alcohol

Certain medicines should not be taken at the same time as food or certain types of food because interactions may occur. Using alcohol or tobacco with some medicines may also lead to interactions. The following interactions have been selected based on their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive.

Using this medicine with any of the following may increase the risk of certain side effects but may be unavoidable in some cases. If used together, your doctor may adjust the dose or how often you use this medicine, or provide specific instructions about the use of food, alcohol, or tobacco.

  • Caffeine

Other Medical Problems

Other medical problems can affect the use of this medicine. Make sure to tell your doctor if you have any additional medical issues, especially:

  • Abnormal or unusual vaginal bleeding or
  • Blood clots (e.g., deep vein thrombosis, pulmonary embolism), or a history of
  • Breast cancer, known or suspected or
  • Diabetes with kidney, eye, nerve, or blood vessel damage or
  • Endometrial cancer or
  • Heart attack, history of or
  • Heart or blood vessel disease (e.g., coronary artery disease, heart valve problems), or a history of
  • Hypertension (high blood pressure) that is not well controlled, or
  • Jaundice during pregnancy or from past hormonal therapy or
  • Liver disease, including tumors or cancer or
  • Major surgery with long periods of being immobile or
  • Migraine headache or
  • Stroke, history of or
  • Tumors (estrogen-dependent), known or suspected—Should not be used in patients with these conditions.
  • Breast cancer, family history of or
  • Cervical cancer or
  • Depression, history of or
  • Edema (fluid retention or body swelling) or
  • Epilepsy (seizures) or
  • Gallbladder disease or
  • Hypertension (high blood pressure)—Use with caution. May worsen these conditions.
  • Diabetes or
  • Hyperlipidemia (high cholesterol or fats in the blood) or
  • Kidney disease or
  • Obesity, or a history of—Use with caution. These conditions may increase the risk of more serious side effects.

This section was rewritten for readability and reviewed for meaning.

Side Effects of Jinteli

Along with its necessary effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Not all of these side effects will occur, but if they do, they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:

Incidence not known

  • Absent, missed, or irregular menstrual periods
  • anxiety
  • change in vision
  • changes in skin color
  • chest pain or discomfort
  • chills
  • clay-colored stools
  • constipation
  • cough
  • dark urine
  • diarrhea
  • dizziness or lightheadedness
  • fainting
  • fast heartbeat
  • fever
  • headache
  • hives or welts
  • itching skin
  • large, hive-like swelling on the face, eyelids, lips, tongue, throat, hands, legs, feet, or sex organs
  • loss of appetite
  • medium to heavy, irregular vaginal bleeding between regular monthly periods, which may require the use of a pad or a tampon
  • nausea
  • pain or discomfort in the arms, jaw, back, or neck
  • pain, tenderness, or swelling of the foot or leg
  • pains in the chest, groin, or legs, especially in the calves of the legs
  • pounding in the ears
  • rash
  • redness of the skin
  • severe headaches of sudden onset
  • slow or fast heartbeat
  • stomach pain
  • sudden loss of coordination or slurred speech
  • sweating
  • troubled breathing
  • unusual tiredness or weakness
  • vomiting
  • vomiting of blood

Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Your health care professional may also have ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue, are bothersome, or if you have any questions about them:

Incidence not known

  • Bloating
  • blotchy spots on the exposed skin
  • breast enlargement or tenderness
  • discouragement
  • feeling sad or empty
  • irritability
  • itching of the vagina or outside genitals
  • loss of interest or pleasure
  • pain during sexual intercourse
  • stomach cramps
  • thick, white curd-like vaginal discharge without odor or with mild odor
  • tiredness
  • trouble concentrating
  • trouble sleeping
  • trouble wearing contact lenses

Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

In the U.S.

  • Femhrt 1/5
  • Femhrt Lo
  • Gildess 1.5/30
  • Jevantique
  • Jinteli
  • Junel 1/20
  • Junel 1.5/30
  • Larin 1/20
  • Loestrin 1/20
  • Loestrin 1.5/30
  • Microgestin 1/20
  • Microgestin 1.5/30

Available Dosage Forms:

  • Tablet, Chewable
  • Tablet
  • Capsule, Liquid Filled

Therapeutic Class: Contraceptive

Pharmacologic Class: Estrogen

This section was rewritten for readability and reviewed for meaning.

Proper use of Jinteli

It is very important that you use this medicine exactly as directed by your doctor. Do not use more of it, do not use it more often, and do not use it for a longer time than your doctor ordered.

To make using oral contraceptives as safe and reliable as possible, you should understand how and when to take them and what effects may be expected.

This medicine comes with patient instructions. Read and follow these instructions carefully. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions.

This medicine is available in blister packs with a Dialpak® tablet dispenser. Each blister pack contains 28 tablets with different colors that need to be taken in the same order as directed on the blister pack.

When you begin using this medicine, your body will require at least 7 days to adjust before a pregnancy will be prevented. Use a second form of contraception, such as a condom, spermicide, or diaphragm, for the first 7 days of your first cycle of pills.

Take this medicine at the same time each day (with meals or at bedtime). Birth control pills work best when no more than 24 hours pass between doses.

Do not skip or delay taking your pill by more than 24 hours. If you miss a dose, you could get pregnant. Ask your doctor for ways to help you remember to take your pills or about using another method of birth control.

You may feel sick or nauseated, especially during the first few months that you take this medicine. If your nausea is continuous and does not go away, call your doctor.

Do not eat grapefruit or drink grapefruit juice while you are using this medicine. Grapefruit and grapefruit juice may change the amount of this medicine that is absorbed in the body.

Dosing

The dose of this medicine will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of this medicine. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.

The amount of medicine that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are using the medicine.

Your doctor may ask you to begin your dose on the first day of your menstrual period (called Day 1 start) or on the first Sunday after your menstrual period starts (called Sunday start). When you begin on a certain day it is important that you follow that schedule, even if you miss a dose. Do not change your schedule on your own. If the schedule that you use is not convenient, check with your doctor about changing it. For a Sunday start, you need to use another form of birth control (eg, condom, diaphragm, spermicide) for the first 7 days.

You should begin your next and all subsequent 28-day regimens of therapy on the same day of the week as the first regimen began and follow the same schedule.

  • For oral dosage form (tablets):For contraception (to prevent pregnancy): Adults and teenagers— Loestrin® 21: One white or green tablet (active) taken at the same time each day for 21 consecutive days followed by one week without the tablets. Loestrin® Fe: One white or green tablet (active) taken at the same time each day for 21 consecutive days followed by one brown (inert) tablet daily for 7 days per menstrual cycle. Modicon®: One white tablet (active) taken at the same time each day for 21 consecutive days followed by one green (inert) tablet daily for 7 days per menstrual cycle. Ortho-novum®: One white or peach tablet (active) taken at the same time each day for 21 consecutive days followed by one green (inert) tablet daily for 7 days per menstrual cycle. Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.

Missed Dose

Call your doctor or pharmacist for instructions.

This medicine has specific patient instructions on what to do if you miss a dose. Read and follow these instructions carefully and call your doctor if you have any questions.

  • If you miss one active pill: Take it as soon as you can, then take your next pill at your regular schedule.
  • If you miss two active pills in week 1 or 2: Take two pills as soon as you can and two more pills the next day. Continue taking one pill a day until you finish the pack. Use a second form of birth control (eg, condom, spermicide) for 7 days after you miss a dose.
  • If you miss two active pills in week 3, or you miss three or more active pills in a row in weeks 1, 2, or 3: Day 1 start: Throw out the rest of the pack and start a new pack that same day. Use a second form of birth control (eg, condom, spermicide) for 7 days after you miss a dose. Sunday start: Continue taking one pill a day until Sunday, then throw out the rest of the pack and start a new pack that same day. Use a second form of birth control (eg, condom, spermicide) for 7 days after you miss a dose, to prevent pregnancy.

You may not have a period for that month if you miss more than one dose or change your schedule.

You could have light bleeding or spotting if you do not take a pill on time. The more pills you miss, the more likely you are to have bleeding.

Make sure your doctor knows if you miss your period 2 months in a row, because this could mean that you are pregnant.

Storage

Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light. Keep from freezing.

Keep out of the reach of children.

Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.

Ask your healthcare professional how you should dispose of any medicine you do not use.

Related medicines

Before you take this medicine: the information on this page is general and may not cover your personal circumstances. Read the label supplied with your medicine and ask a pharmacist or doctor if you are unsure, especially if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, taking other medicines or managing a long-term condition.
General medicine information Consumer-friendly language

Content is provided for education and is not medical advice. See our medical disclaimer.