Sprintec (norgestimate & ethinyl estradiol) birth control prescription available online
If you want to prevent pregnancy, Sprintec birth control pills can help. Get a new prescription or refill of Sprintec (norgestimate & ethinyl estradiol) today from a caring, board-certified doctor online.*
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Hormonal birth control for pregnancy prevention
Available as a tablet
Combination of ethinyl estradiol and norgestimate
*Prescriptions are provided at the doctor’s discretion. Learn more about our controlled substances policy and how you can save up to 80% with our prescription discount card.
About Sprintec birth control
Sprintec is considered a contraceptive, which releases certain hormones in your body to reduce the chances of pregnancy. Like any birth control pill, this medication can only help prevent pregnancy. It is ineffective against existing pregnancies because the hormones will not affect the existing growth of the fetus.
Sprintec is available only by prescription. It is available in a generic formulation under different brand names, including ethinyl estradiol and norgestimate. Multiple brand names use a similar formulation, including Mono-Linyah, Ortho Tri-Cyclen, and Estarylla.
Sprintec may be prescribed as a tablet. It’s always important to follow the specific instructions on your prescription, as they can vary based on the formulation and dosage you are prescribed.
Due to the hormones the birth control pills release in the body, you must ask your doctor for medical advice if you want to stop using the medication. Suddenly stopping the hormonal birth control pills can lead to specific adverse reactions. These birth control pills are a bit different from some other birth control pills on the market. This is because the Sprintec birth control pills use two different chemicals to help prevent pregnancy. Both of these ingredients use a form of hormonal birth control to avoid pregnancy more efficiently.
Sprintec uses
There is only one FDA-approved use for Sprintec, but it may also be used off-label to treat other conditions. Your online medical professional may prescribe it for the following reasons. It’s also possible that your healthcare provider may prescribe it for other reasons not listed here. Ask your certified online doctor or pharmacist if you have questions about why a medication is prescribed.
Prevent pregnancy
Sprintec has only been approved for use as a birth control method. Hormonal birth control uses two different types of hormones to provide better efficacy in pregnancy prevention.
The two hormones that these birth control pills use include:Ethinyl estradiol (A type of estrogen)
Norgestimate (A type of progestin)
The norgestimate and Ethinyl estradiol combination work by reducing the release of eggs from the ovaries while also making it more difficult for sperm to reach eggs in the uterus.
Sprintec birth control side effects
The side effects associated with taking Sprintec are typically mild or moderate. Sprintec has some common side effects. They may include:
Breast tenderness
Irregular uterine bleeding
Headaches
Other side effects, which are less common but might be more severe, could include:Cardiovascular events: There have been reports of people experiencing cardiovascular events when they use Sprintec birth control pills. The FDA has also demanded a boxed warning for this particular side-effect of Sprintec active tablets. The birth control pills may cause the patient to experience an increased risk for stroke or a heart attack.
Vascular disease: It is also possible for birth control pills to affect the vascular health of the patient. This includes a risk of blood clots forming. When there are blood clots, the patient has a greater risk of cardiovascular events. It is important for patients to understand these side effects of sprintec when they take the birth control pill. When using Sprintec birth control pills, patients should also learn about the potential symptoms of coronary artery disease. Regular checkups can also help them determine if the birth control pills are causing high blood pressure.
Liver disease: Another potentially serious complication includes damage to the liver. This means these birth control pills may lead to the development of liver disease in some cases.
Apart from these, it is important for patients who take birth control pills to be wary of breakthrough bleeding, which can lead to severe complications. Breakthrough bleeding can cause the patient to lose a significant amount of blood while they use the birth control pill. Patients should also tell their healthcare provider if they experience severe headaches, irregular bleeding, and other concerning side effects of Sprintec.
You should call your doctor if you notice these side effects of Sprintec or if you develop any other new or concerning symptoms.
How to take Sprintec
Your pharmacist will provide you with instructions on how to take your Sprintec prescription.
Be sure to read your prescription label and follow the instructions. Call your doctor or pharmacy if you have any questions.
Sprintec can come in different forms and doses, so follow the specific instructions on your prescription. It is typically prescribed once per day. It is important to note that there is a low dose initially, followed by the subsequent doses having a higher concentration of the active ingredients. This can help to reduce the side effects of Sprintec when the patient starts to use Ethinyl estradiol tablets USP. It allows the body to get used to the Ethinyl estradiol and other hormones in these birth control pills.
What to avoid while taking Sprintec
While no specific studies about drug interactions with Sprintec, some potential adverse events have been reported. Don’t change what you take without checking with your doctor or pharmacist. That includes other medications or supplements, as well as over-the-counter drugs.
When you use combined oral contraceptive substances, the birth control pills can sometimes alter the metabolism of other drugs you take. This can cause the serum concentration of these drugs to be higher or lower than it should be.
Some examples of drugs that may be affected in this way by birth control pills include:
Cyclosporine
Theophylline
Voriconazole
Tizanidine
Temazepam
Lamotrigine
Salicylic acid
Morphine
It is also important to note that drugs like Colesevelam may reduce the concentration of Ethinyl estradiol and other hormones used in birth control pills. This reduces the efficacy of these birth control pills, making them less effective at preventing pregnancy.
Ask your doctor or pharmacist if it is acceptable to consume alcohol while taking Sprintec.
Medication alternatives to Sprintec
If your healthcare provider prefers to put you on another treatment altogether, they may suggest another ethinyl estradiol, norgestimate combination, or birth control pills in another drug class. Here are some common doctor-recommended alternatives based on your health issue:
Birth control implant
Some women may prefer the use of an implant compared to the daily use of birth control pills. In this case, there are several options that they can explore with their healthcare provider. Some implants also use ingredients like Ethinyl estradiol and other hormonal birth control options.
You can ask the doctor for medical advice about the side effects of these implants. They may also lead to breakthrough bleeding, severe headaches, high blood pressure, and similar adverse reactions commonly reported with Sprintec.
Sprintec prescription FAQs
How much does Sprintec cost?
Sprintec tablets do not require any medical devices to be implanted. Instead, they come as birth control pills that you take daily. The price largely depends on the dose that you are prescribed. You will usually start with a low amount. When you create a new pack afterward, it will be the primary recommended dose for the medication.
How can I refill my Sprintec prescription?
You need to refill your prescription every month at a local pharmacy in your area. Visit the pharmacy that holds your prescription to obtain a new pack of Sprintec every month.
What type of birth control is Sprintec?
Sprintec is a combination oral contraceptive that uses two different hormones to help with birth control. These are not ethinyl estradiol tablets USP, but rather combine ethinyl estradiol with another hormone known as norgestimate. Hormonal birth control introduces these hormones into the body to help prevent pregnancy.
Is Sprintec a robust birth control?
Sprintec is considered a highly effective birth control option. It is also more effective than other birth control pills that only use a single hormone.
Does Sprintec make you gain weight?
While Sprintec is hormonal birth control, it does not contain as much estrogen as other birth control pills. This is why it is not as likely to cause weight gain. With this said, some patients have reported weight gain while they use this birth control.
What side effects does Sprintec have?
Sprintec birth control may cause tenderness in the breasts, as well as headaches and nausea. There are also more serious side effects. This includes serious cardiovascular events, severe headaches, breakthrough bleeding, high blood pressure, and more.
Who should not take Sprintec?
Do not take Sprintec if you are already pregnant. While the drug does not affect breast milk production, it can pass into breast milk. Do not use the drug if you are breastfeeding a baby.
What happens if I miss a dose of Sprintec?
A missed dose can affect the efficacy of birth control, but you should not take a double dose to make up for it. If you remember about the missed dose when it is not too close to the next dose, then take it. Otherwise, it is usually better to simply skip the missed dose.
What happens if I take too much Sprintec?
Never take more than prescribed. The risk of blood clots, high blood pressure, breast tenderness, severe migraine headaches, and several other complications are significantly increased.
3 simple steps to request your Sprintec prescription online
Step 1
Book a Sprintec prescription request appointment.
Book a same day appointment from anywhere.
Step 2
Talk to your medical provider regarding your Sprintec prescription.
Visit with a doctor on your smartphone or computer.
Step 3
Pick up your Sprintec prescription.
We can send prescriptions to any local pharmacy.
Sprintec prescription pricing details
How pricing works
To get a new or refill on your Sprintec prescription, join our monthly membership and get discounted visits.
Paying with insurance
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$16.99/month
First month free
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Visit price with insurance
Often the same as an office visit. Most patients with in-network insurance pay $30 or less!
- We accept these insurance plans and many more:
Paying without insurance
Membership
$16.99/month
First month free
Visits
$129
30 days of free membership
Same-day appointments 7 days a week
Unlimited messages with your Care Team
Prescription discount card to save up to 80%
Exclusive discounts on lab tests
Free memberships for your family
Cancel anytime
Visit price without insurance
Initial visits are $129.
If we're unable to treat you, we'll provide a full refund.
Sources:
PlushCare is dedicated to providing you with accurate and trustworthy health information.
"MTM Sprintec." Drugs.com, Accessed on October 6, 2023, www.drugs.com/mtm/sprintec.html.
"Sprintec Drug Information." RxList, Accessed on October 6, 2023, https://www.rxlist.com/sprintec-drug.htm
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