An Introduction to Activella Side Effects
As with any medicine, side effects are possible with
Activella® (estradiol/norethindrone). However, not everyone who takes the drug will experience side effects. In fact, most people tolerate it quite well. If side effects do occur, in most cases, they are minor and either require no treatment or can easily be treated by you or your healthcare provider.
(This article covers many, but not all, of the possible side effects with Activella. Your healthcare provider can discuss a more complete list of Activella side effects with you.)
Common Activella Side Effects
Activella has been studied thoroughly in clinical trials. In these studies, the side effects that occurred in a group of people taking the drug were documented and compared to the side effects that occurred in another group of people taking a placebo (a "sugar pill" that does not contain any active ingredients). As a result, it was possible to see what side effects occurred, how often they appeared, and how they compared to the group not taking the medicine.
In these studies, the most common Activella side effects included:
- Vaginal bleeding -- in up to 26 percent of women
- Breast pain -- up to 24 percent
- Headaches -- up to 22 percent
- Upper respiratory tract infection (such as the common cold) -- up to 18 percent
- Accidental injury -- up to 17 percent
- Sinus infection -- up to 15 percent
- Nausea -- up to 11 percent.
Other common side effects (occurring in 5 to 10 percent of people) included:
