What You Should Know About Enpresse 28 Day Side Effects

Every medication comes with potential side effects, and birth control pills are no exception. Enpresse 28 Day is a triphasic combination oral contraceptive containing Levonorgestrel and Ethinyl Estradiol. Most people tolerate it well, but it's important to understand what's normal, what's not, and when to seek medical attention.

This guide covers the common and serious side effects of Enpresse 28 Day based on FDA labeling, so you can feel confident about what to expect.

What Is Enpresse 28 Day?

Enpresse 28 Day is a triphasic birth control pill that delivers three different doses of hormones over a 28-day cycle. It contains Levonorgestrel (a progestin) and Ethinyl Estradiol (an estrogen). The varying hormone levels are designed to more closely mimic a natural menstrual cycle. To understand how the hormones work in your body, see our guide on how Enpresse 28 Day works.

Common Side Effects

These side effects are relatively common, especially during the first few months of use. They usually improve as your body adjusts:

• Nausea — One of the most frequently reported side effects, especially when first starting the pill
• Breakthrough bleeding or spotting — Light bleeding between periods is common in the first 1 to 3 cycles
• Breast tenderness — Mild soreness or swelling of the breasts
• Headache — Mild to moderate headaches, particularly during the first few weeks
• Weight gain — Some women notice a small amount of weight change, often related to water retention
• Mood changes — Feeling more emotional, irritable, or experiencing mild mood shifts
• Bloating — A feeling of abdominal fullness or puffiness
• Changes in appetite — Either increased or decreased appetite
• Difficulty wearing contact lenses — Hormonal changes can affect the shape of your cornea slightly
• Vomiting — Less common than nausea but can occur, especially early on

Most of these side effects are mild and tend to go away within 2 to 3 months. If they persist or bother you significantly, talk to your doctor — a different formulation may work better for you.

Serious Side Effects

Serious side effects from Enpresse 28 Day are rare but can be life-threatening. Seek immediate medical attention if you experience any of the following:

• Blood clots (deep vein thrombosis or pulmonary embolism) — Signs include sudden leg pain or swelling, sharp chest pain, shortness of breath, or coughing up blood
• Stroke — Sudden severe headache, vision changes, slurred speech, weakness or numbness on one side of the body
• Heart attack — Chest pain or pressure, pain radiating to the arm or jaw, shortness of breath, cold sweats
• Liver tumors — Severe abdominal pain, yellowing of the skin or eyes (jaundice)
• Gallbladder disease — Sudden pain in the upper right abdomen, nausea, vomiting
• High blood pressure — Often has no symptoms, which is why your doctor should check your blood pressure regularly
• Visual disturbances or vision loss — Sudden partial or complete loss of vision, double vision, or bulging of the eyes

The Boxed Warning: Smoking and Cardiovascular Risk

Enpresse 28 Day carries an FDA boxed warning — the most serious type of safety warning. Cigarette smoking increases the risk of serious cardiovascular side effects from oral contraceptive use. This risk increases with age and with the number of cigarettes smoked. It is especially high in women over 35 who smoke 15 or more cigarettes per day.

Women who use Enpresse 28 Day should not smoke.

Side Effects in Specific Populations

Women Over 35

The risk of blood clots, stroke, and heart attack increases with age. Women over 35 who smoke should not use combination oral contraceptives like Enpresse 28 Day.

Women With a History of Depression

Hormonal contraceptives may worsen depression in some women. If you have a history of depression, let your doctor know and watch for changes in mood after starting the pill.

Women With Migraines

Migraines with aura (visual disturbances before the headache) are a contraindication for combination oral contraceptives due to increased stroke risk. If you experience migraines with aura, your doctor may recommend a progestin-only method instead.

Breastfeeding Women

Enpresse 28 Day is not recommended for nursing mothers, as small amounts of hormones can pass into breast milk. Talk to your doctor about progestin-only options if you're breastfeeding.

Pregnancy

Enpresse 28 Day is Pregnancy Category X — it is contraindicated during pregnancy. If you become pregnant while taking it, stop immediately and contact your doctor.

How to Manage Common Side Effects

Most side effects improve on their own, but here are some tips:

• Nausea: Take the pill with food or at bedtime instead of in the morning.
• Breakthrough bleeding: This usually resolves after 2 to 3 cycles. Take your pill at the same time every day to minimize spotting.
• Headaches: Over-the-counter pain relievers like Acetaminophen or Ibuprofen can help. If headaches are severe or come with visual changes, call your doctor.
• Breast tenderness: A supportive bra and reducing caffeine intake may help.
• Bloating: Reducing sodium intake and staying hydrated can ease water retention.
• Mood changes: Track your mood over the first 3 months. If symptoms are significant, talk to your provider about switching to a different pill.

If any common side effect doesn't improve after 3 months, or if it's interfering with your daily life, your doctor may suggest trying a different oral contraceptive. There are many alternatives to Enpresse 28 Day with slightly different hormone combinations.

Final Thoughts

Enpresse 28 Day is a safe and effective birth control method for most women. Common side effects like nausea, spotting, and headaches are usually mild and temporary. Serious side effects are rare but important to know about — especially the increased cardiovascular risk for smokers and women over 35.

The key is staying informed and keeping an open line of communication with your doctor. If something doesn't feel right, don't wait — call your provider. And if you need help finding Enpresse 28 Day at a pharmacy near you, Medfinder can help you check stock without making phone calls.