Birth control pills, also called oral contraceptives, are prescription medicines designed to prevent pregnancy. Birth control pill overdose occurs when someone accidentally or intentionally takes more than the normal or recommended amount of this medication.

This is for information only and not for use in the treatment or management of an actual poison exposure. If you have an exposure, you should call your local emergency number (such as 911) or the National Poison Control Center at 1-800-222-1222.

Most birth control pills contain one of the following combinations of estrogen and progestin hormones:

• Ethynodiol diacetate and ethinyl estradiol
• Ethynodiol diacetate and mestranol
• Levonorgestrel and ethinyl estradiol
• Norethindrone acetate and ethinyl estradiol
• Norethindrone and ethinyl estradiol
• Mestranol and norethindrone
• Mestranol and norethynodrel
• Norgestrel and ethinyl estradiol

The following birth control pills contain progestin only:

• Norethindrone
• Norgestrel

Note: This list may not be all-inclusive.

• Ethinyl estradiol and ethynodiol diacetate (Demulen)
• Mestranol and ethynodiol diacetate (Ovulen)
• Levonorgestrel and ethinyl estradiol (Nordette, Tri-Levlen, Triphasil)
• Norethindrone (Micronor, Nor-Q.D.)
• Norethindrone acetate and ethinyl estradiol (Loestrin, Norlestrin)
• Norethindrone and ethinyl estradiol (Brevicon, Ortho-Novum 1/35, Modicon, Ortho-Novum 7/7/7, Ovcon)
• Mestranol and norethindrone (Ortho-Novum 1/50)
• Mestranol and norethynodrel (Enovid)
• Norgestrel (Ovrette)
• Norgestrel and ethinyl estradiol (Lo Ovral, Ovral)

Note: This list may not be all-inclusive.

Next Section

Birth control pills overdose Symptoms

Review Date: 11/02/2009
Reviewed By: Jacob L. Heller, MD, MHA, Emergency Medicine, Virginia Mason Medical Center, Seattle, Washington. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org)