What is Blisovi Fe?

Blisovi Fe is a hormonal combination contraceptive containing norethindrone (a progestin) and ethinyl estradiol (an estrogen). The “Fe” in the name represents the inactive pill that has an iron supplement, ferrous fumarate. Blisovi Fe is offered as Blisovi Fe 1/20, Blisovi 24 Fe, and Blisovi Fe 1.5/30, with the numbers representing the level of hormonal dosage. Besides preventing pregnancy, Blisovi Fe birth control pills can be used to regulate your menstrual periods, decrease your risk of ovarian cysts, and treat acne. Blisovi Fe does not protect against HIV or other sexually transmitted diseases.

How does Blisovi Fe work?

As a hormonal form of birth control, Blisovi Fe changes the levels of naturally-occurring hormones in your body to stop pregnancy from happening. Primarily, Blisovi Fe stops ovulation in your body. Without an egg released from the ovary, it is tough for pregnancy to occur. Blisovi Fe also creates more mucus in your cervix, which makes it difficult for sperm to get into the uterus. Finally, Blisovi Fe works to have the lining of your uterine wall stay thin all month long. This makes your periods lighter and the environment for pregnancy more hostile.

What doses of Blisovi Fe are available?

Blisovi Fe is available in several strengths. Blisovi Fe 1/20 has 20mcg of ethinyl estradiol and 1mg of norethindrone acetate. Blisovi Fe 1.5/30 has 30mcg of ethinyl estradiol and 1.5mg of norethindrone. Both of those strengths come in a “21-day pack,” which contains 21 days of active pills and seven days of inactive (iron) pills.

Blisovi 24 Fe is slightly different but holds the same hormonal strength as Blisovi Fe 1/20. The “24” in the name refers to how many active pills there are. In addition to the 24 active pills in the packet, there are four brown, non-hormonal placebo tablets. The active tablets contain 20 mcg of ethinyl estradiol and 1 mg of norethindrone acetate. The placebo tablets contain 75 mg of ferrous fumarate, which does not serve any medicinal purpose.

How do you use Blisovi Fe?

Blisovi Fe is a tablet that is intended to be taken once daily. For best results, take it at the same time every day. You can choose at what point in the day works best for you and use tools such as timers or calendars to help remind you. Because nausea is a side effect, it is recommended to take Blisovi Fe with food, whether it is a meal or a snack. Vomiting or diarrhea may change whether Blisovi Fe works as a contraceptive.

When you first start using Blisovi Fe, it may not be effective immediately. It is recommended to use a backup method of contraception, including male condoms or spermicide, as you wait for the hormones to start working.

You should take the tablets in the order that the blister pack indicates. Both Blisovi Fe 1.5/30 and Blisovi Fe 1/20 are 21-day packs, so you will take active pills for the first three weeks and then finish your month with a week of an iron supplement. Blisovi 24 Fe will have 24 days of active pills and four days of inactive pills.

For all three medications, you will experience your period when on the iron supplement pills, though, with Blisovi 24 Fe, your period will most likely be shorter.

What are the side effects of Blisovi Fe?

The most common side effects of Blisovi Fe include:

Breast tenderness
Headache
Chest pain
Vaginal candidiasis (yeast infection)
Weight gain
Mood changes
Bloating
Menstrual cramps
Nausea
Acne
Bacterial vaginal infection
Difficulty wearing contact lenses or vision changes

Rarely, Blisovi Fe may cause some serious side effects, including:

Allergic reaction
Serious cardiovascular events such as stroke
Liver disease
Vascular events
Gallbladder disease

Contact your healthcare professional for medical advice about any possible adverse effects you experience while taking Blisovi Fe. You can report your adverse effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch.

Blisovi Fe drug interactions

When Blisovi Fe is taken with other prescription drugs, over-the-counter medications, vitamins, and supplements, it may change how they work or increase the frequency or severity of side effects. Some drug interactions with Blisovi Fe include:

HIV and Hepatitis C Virus drug combinations (containing ritonavir/paritaprevir/ombitasvir, with or without dasabuvir)
Phenytoin
St. John’s wort
Carbamazepine
Atorvastatin
Acetaminophen
Griseofulvin
Rifampin
Tetracyclines
Ascorbic acid

Boxed warnings

Cigarette smoking increases the risk of severe cardiovascular events when using combination oral contraceptives (COC).

Blisovi Fe is contradicted in women who are 35 years of age and smoke.

Blisovi Fe precautions

You should be sure that your healthcare provider is aware of all your medical conditions, including if you:

Are above 35 years old and smoke.
- You are at a greater risk of blood clots, heart attack, heart disease, and strokes when taking hormonal birth control pills.
Have liver disease or liver tumors.
Have high cholesterol.
Have a high risk of venous or arterial thrombotic disease.
Have undiagnosed or diagnosed abnormal uterine bleeding.
Have breast cancer or other progestin or estrogen-sensitive cancer.
Have a newborn baby and are breastfeeding.
Have high blood pressure (hypertension).
Take any Hepatitis C drug combination containing ombitasvir, ritonavir, or paritaprevir.

Though rare, let your healthcare provider know immediately if you experience the following:

Any signs of an allergic reaction, including:
- Trouble breathing
- Severe headache
- Shortness of breath
- Hives
- Headache
Have any unexplained or high levels of vaginal bleeding.

Is there a generic available for Blisovi Fe?

Yes, Blisovi Fe is the generic version of Loestrin FE 1/20 and Microgestin FE 1/20. Generics tend to be less expensive than the brand-name drug.

How do you store Blisovi Fe?

Blisovi Fe should be stored at room temperature at around 25° C (77° F). However, excursions are permitted as long as temperatures remain between 59 to 86° F (15 to 30° C). Keep out of the reach of children.

Related medications

Aurovela Fe 1.5/30 (norethindrone acetate/ ethinyl estradiol/ ferrous fumarate)
Hailey 24 Fe (norethindrone acetate/ ethinyl estradiol)
Junel Fe 1.5/30 (norethindrone acetate/ethinyl estradiol)
Junel Fe 1/20 (norethindrone acetate/ethinyl estradiol)
Larin Fe 1.5/30 (norethindrone acetate/ ethinyl estradiol/ ferrous fumarate)
Lo Loestrin Fe (norethindrone acetate/ ethinyl estradiol)
Microgestin Fe 1.5/30 (norethindrone acetate/ ethinyl estradiol/ ferrous fumarate)
Tarina Fe 1/20 (norethindrone acetate/ethinyl estradiol)