Combined oral contraceptive with iron supplement
Last reviewed July 2026
Who is this for?
This is a combined oral contraceptive pill (birth control pill) that contains two hormones, ethinylestradiol and levonorgestrel, to prevent pregnancy, plus iron (ferrous fumarate) tablets to help prevent anaemia during your period days.
Inhibits ovulation by suppressing gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), and luteinizing hormone (LH) through negative feedback on the hypothalamic-pituitary axis; ethinylestradiol and levonorgestrel bind to estrogen and progesterone receptors respectively, while ferrous fumarate replaces iron lost through menstrual bleeding.
Prescription Required
You need a doctor's prescription to buy this drug.
Is Ethinylestradiol; safe to take with another drug?
Check with multiple drugs →Explore this drug
If you miss a hormone pill by less than 12 hours, take it as soon as you remember and continue as normal. If it is more than 12 hours late, take the missed pill immediately, continue the pack as usual, but use a condom or avoid sex for the next 7 days. If you miss a brown iron tablet, just skip it, as it does not affect pregnancy protection.
Always buy from a registered pharmacy, as packs from roadside sellers may be fake or expired, which means no pregnancy protection. Do not share your pills with friends; everyone's body and health history is different. If you vomit or have serious diarrhoea within a few hours of taking a pill, it may not have been absorbed, so treat it like a missed dose.
Some antibiotics like rifampicin (used for TB) can make this pill less effective, so use extra protection. Anti-seizure drugs like carbamazepine can also reduce how well it works. The herbal remedy St. John's Wort can weaken the pill's effect, so avoid it while on this medication.
Check your specific combination
Is it safe to take Ethinylestradiol; with your other drugs?
Do not take this drug if you are pregnant or suspect you might be pregnant, and it is not recommended while breastfeeding. Consult your doctor for safer alternatives.
Store in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight and heat. Nigerian weather can be very hot so avoid leaving it in your car or near a window. Keep the pack sealed and away from children.
For information only: not medical advice. Always talk to a doctor or pharmacist before changing your medication.
Names this drug is sold under, especially in Nigerian and West African pharmacies
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Counterfeit Drug Warning
Fake drugs are a serious problem in Nigeria. Always buy from a registered pharmacy. If the packaging looks different from what is described above, do not use it.