Juleber

Pronunciation: Pronunciation not provided in research notes..

Generic name: desogestrel and ethinyl estradiol
Brand names: JULEBER
Drug class: Combined hormonal contraceptive (progestin + estrogen)
Form: Tablet
Route: Oral
Legal status: Legal status not specified in provided research notes.

Availability and supply rules vary by country

Trade names by country: India

What desogestrel and ethinyl estradiol is and how it works

Juleber is a combined hormonal contraceptive tablet containing the progestin desogestrel and the estrogen ethinyl estradiol, taken to prevent pregnancy. A detailed mechanism-of-action description was not provided in the supplied research notes and is not included here pending further primary-source research. (1)

It is indicated for prevention of pregnancy in women who elect to use oral contraceptives. It is not indicated for emergency contraception.

Mechanism of action: how desogestrel and ethinyl estradiol works

Juleber combines the progestin desogestrel with the estrogen ethinyl estradiol. The supplied research notes do not include a detailed mechanism-of-action statement beyond the product being a combined hormonal contraceptive; a fuller pharmacology description requires further primary-source research before publication. (1)

What desogestrel and ethinyl estradiol is used for

Prevention of pregnancy

Prevention of pregnancy in women who choose oral contraception. Not studied for and not indicated for emergency contraception. (1)

Before taking desogestrel and ethinyl estradiol

Do not take / not appropriate for

Do not use Juleber if you are over 35 years of age and smoke cigarettes. Cigarette smoking increases the risk of serious cardiovascular events (including myocardial infarction and stroke) from combination oral contraceptives; this risk increases with age and the number of cigarettes smoked. (all users) (1)
Do not use Juleber if you have a history of thrombophlebitis, thromboembolic disorders, cerebrovascular disease, coronary artery disease, or uncontrolled hypertension (≥160/100 mmHg). (all products) (1)
Do not use Juleber if you have current or history of breast cancer or other estrogen-/progestin-sensitive cancer, hepatic dysfunction/disease/liver tumors, undiagnosed abnormal vaginal bleeding, known or suspected pregnancy, diabetes with vascular involvement, headaches with focal neurologic symptoms/migraine with aura, or hypersensitivity to any component. (all products) (1)
Do not use Juleber during major surgery with prolonged immobilization or concurrently with hepatitis C combination therapy containing ombitasvir/paritaprevir/ritonavir (with or without dasabuvir) due to the risk of ALT elevations. (all products) (1)

Tell your clinician about

Any personal or family history of blood clots (deep vein thrombosis, pulmonary embolism), heart attack, stroke, or mini-stroke.
High blood pressure, diabetes, obesity, or high cholesterol.
Any history of liver problems, gallbladder disease, or yellowing of the skin or eyes.
Current or past breast cancer or any other hormone-sensitive cancer.
Unexplained vaginal bleeding, pregnancy, or breastfeeding plans.
All medications you take, including prescription, over‑the‑counter, herbal products (especially St. John’s Wort), and hepatitis C treatments.
Upcoming surgery or periods of prolonged immobilization.

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How to take desogestrel and ethinyl estradiol

Take one tablet by mouth daily, in the order directed on the pack.
Day‑1 start: Take the first orange (active) tablet on the first day of the menstrual period. Then continue one orange tablet daily for 21 days, followed by one white (inert) tablet daily for 7 days. Start a new pack immediately after the 28th tablet.
Sunday start: Take the first orange tablet on the first Sunday after menstrual bleeding begins. Use a non‑hormonal backup contraceptive method (such as condoms) for the first 7 days of active tablets. Then continue the pack as described.
Do not change the regimen or skip tablets without consulting your prescriber.

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Procedures and treatment changes

Tell the treating team before surgery, procedures, or any medicine change. Do not alter treatment without the responsible clinician. (1)

Missed dose

The number of tablets missed and the week in the pack change what needs to happen next, and getting this wrong can reduce contraceptive protection. Contact the prescribing clinician, clinic, or pharmacist as soon as a missed tablet is noticed for guidance specific to the situation, and use a non-hormonal backup contraceptive method (such as condoms) in the meantime unless and until told otherwise. Do not decide alone to double up tablets, discard a pack, or start a new pack — let the clinician or pharmacist confirm the right next step from the current product labeling.

Overdose

Overdose information not provided in the research notes.

Side effects

The most common side effects include nausea, vomiting, breakthrough bleeding/spotting, amenorrhea, breast tenderness, weight change, fluid retention/edema, headache, mood changes/depression, and vaginal candidiasis (yeast infection). Serious but less common effects can occur (see serious warnings).

Nausea or vomiting

What to notice: Feeling sick to your stomach or actually vomiting.

What to do: Contact your clinician if severe, persistent, or if vomiting could have affected how well a tablet was absorbed, so they can advise on next steps. (1)

Breakthrough bleeding, spotting, or missed periods

What to notice: Unexpected vaginal bleeding or spotting between periods, or no bleeding during the inert tablet week.

What to do: Continue taking tablets as directed unless told otherwise. Contact your clinician if bleeding is heavy or persistent, or if you have any concern that you might be pregnant. (1)

Breast tenderness, weight change, or fluid retention

What to notice: Sore, swollen breasts, slight weight gain, or puffiness due to fluid retention.

What to do: Inform your prescriber if severe or bothersome. (1)

Headache or mood changes

What to notice: New or worsening headaches, mood swings, or depression.

What to do: Contact your prescriber if headaches become severe, focal, or persistent, or if mood changes interfere with daily life. (1)

Vaginal yeast infection

What to notice: Symptoms of vaginal yeast infection (candidiasis).

What to do: Tell your clinician or pharmacist, particularly if it is recurrent or persistent, so they can advise on appropriate treatment. (1)

Venous thromboembolism (deep vein thrombosis or pulmonary embolism)

What to notice: Signs of a blood clot in a leg vein or in the lungs.

What to do: Seek emergency medical attention immediately if a blood clot is suspected. (1)

Myocardial infarction or stroke

What to notice: Signs of a heart attack or stroke.

What to do: Call emergency services right away if a heart attack or stroke is suspected. (1)

Hypertension

What to notice: Often no symptoms; detected through blood pressure checks.

What to do: Have your blood pressure checked regularly as advised. Contact your prescriber if readings are persistently elevated. (1)

Gallbladder disease

What to notice: Symptoms of gallbladder problems.

What to do: Contact your prescriber promptly for evaluation. (1)

Liver tumors

What to notice: New or unexplained abdominal pain or a sense of abdominal fullness.

What to do: Seek immediate medical evaluation for any new or severe abdominal pain. (1)

Retinal vascular thrombosis

What to notice: Sudden vision loss or blurred vision.

What to do: Seek immediate medical evaluation for any sudden vision change. Let the clinician advise on whether Juleber should be continued or discontinued. (1)

Serious warnings

Smoking and cardiovascular risk — emergency

Symptoms: Signs of a heart attack or stroke.

Action: Cigarette smoking, especially at age 35 or older, increases the risk of serious cardiovascular events with combination oral contraceptives. Anyone who smokes should contact their prescriber promptly to discuss whether Juleber is an appropriate choice. Seek emergency help immediately for symptoms of a heart attack or stroke. (1)

Venous thromboembolism — emergency

Symptoms: Leg pain, swelling (DVT); sudden chest pain, difficulty breathing (PE).

Action: Call emergency services immediately. (1)

Liver tumor rupture — emergency

Symptoms: Sudden severe abdominal pain, especially in the upper right area, with possible internal bleeding.

Action: Seek emergency medical care immediately. (1)

Interactions

Medicine or test	Effect	Action
Strong hepatic enzyme inducers (e.g., rifampin, certain anticonvulsants like phenytoin and carbamazepine, St. John’s Wort)	Can decrease contraceptive hormone levels, reducing efficacy and increasing the risk of pregnancy.	Use a non‑hormonal backup contraceptive method (e.g., condoms) during concurrent use and for 28 days after stopping the inducer. Consult your prescriber and pharmacist for specific guidance. (1)
CYP3A4 inhibitors	May increase circulating hormone levels.	Inform your prescriber and pharmacist of all medications you take. (1)
Hepatitis C combination therapy containing ombitasvir/paritaprevir/ritonavir (with or without dasabuvir)	Co‑administration is contraindicated due to the risk of ALT elevations.	Anyone prescribed or being considered for this hepatitis C combination should tell both prescribers about the Juleber use; the treating clinicians will decide on an alternative contraceptive method. (1)

Pregnancy, breastfeeding, kidney/liver function, age

Smokers, especially over age 35

Combination oral contraceptives, including Juleber, are contraindicated in women who are over 35 years old and smoke, because smoking increases the risk of serious cardiovascular events. Anyone in this situation should discuss contraceptive options with their prescriber rather than starting or continuing Juleber on their own. (1)

Pregnancy

Juleber is contraindicated during known or suspected pregnancy. Anyone who becomes pregnant, or suspects they might be pregnant, while taking Juleber should contact their prescriber promptly; the clinician will advise on pregnancy testing and whether treatment should continue. (1)

Breastfeeding

Small amounts of contraceptive hormones are excreted in breast milk. Starting combined hormonal contraception before breastfeeding is well established may interfere with milk supply or quality. Non‑hormonal or progestin‑only methods are generally preferred until breastfeeding is established. Discuss the timing with your prescriber. (1)

Monitoring

Before starting

The prescriber will assess for the listed contraindications, including smoking status at age 35 or older, history of thromboembolic or cardiovascular disease, uncontrolled hypertension, liver disease or liver tumors, breast cancer or other hormone-sensitive cancer, undiagnosed vaginal bleeding, pregnancy, migraine with aura, and any planned surgery with prolonged immobilization.
Review all concurrent medications, including hepatitis C combination therapy and enzyme-inducing medicines, for interactions.

During treatment

Blood pressure should be monitored, since hypertension can occur or worsen during treatment.
The exact monitoring schedule was not specified in the supplied research notes; follow the prescriber's individualized plan.

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Storage

Storage information not provided in the research notes.

Professional information

Clinician‑facing context only. Use the current US prescribing information or local equivalent.

US

Indication: Prevention of pregnancy

Dose summary: Day‑1 start: one active tablet (desogestrel 0.15 mg/ethinyl estradiol 0.03 mg) daily for 21 days, then one inert tablet daily for 7 days. Sunday start: first active tablet on Sunday after menses onset; backup contraception for 7 days. See full labeling for missed‑pill management.

Renal context: Renal impairment dosing not addressed in provided research. (1)

Mechanism of action

Hepatic guidance

Contraindicated in hepatic dysfunction, hepatic disease, or liver tumors, per the supplied research notes. No further hepatic dosing detail was extracted.

Overdose note

No overdose-management guidance was provided in the supplied research notes; this remains a gap pending further primary-source research. (1)

Frequently asked questions

What should I do if I miss a Juleber tablet?

Contact the prescribing clinician, clinic, or pharmacist as soon as you notice the missed tablet. What you need to do next depends on how many tablets were missed and where you are in the pack, so this needs situation-specific guidance rather than a general answer. Use a non-hormonal backup method in the meantime unless told otherwise. (1)

Can I use Juleber for emergency contraception?

No. Juleber is not studied or indicated for emergency contraception. It is a routine oral contraceptive for continuous pregnancy prevention. (1)

Can I smoke while taking Juleber?

If you are over 35 years old and smoke, you should not use Juleber because of the increased risk of heart attack and stroke. For younger smokers, discuss the risks with your prescriber. (1)

What is the mechanism of action of desogestrel and ethinyl estradiol?

What is the generic name of Juleber?

The generic name is desogestrel and ethinyl estradiol. It is sold under brand names including JULEBER. (1)

What class of drug is desogestrel and ethinyl estradiol?

Juleber is classed as: Combined hormonal contraceptive (progestin + estrogen). (1)

References

JULEBER (desogestrel and ethinyl estradiol) kit — full prescribing informationU.S. National Library of Medicine, DailyMed · United States · accessed 2026-08-05 · source 1
DESOGESTREL AND ETHINYL ESTRADIOL AND ETHINYL ESTRADIOL KIT [APOTEX CORP.] — US prescribing information (DailyMed SPL)U.S. National Library of Medicine (DailyMed) · US · accessed 2026-08-14 · source 2
Volnea — FDA approval record (Drugs@FDA ANDA202689)U.S. Food and Drug Administration · US · accessed 2026-08-14 · source 3

Brand names by country

Single-ingredient desogestrel and ethinyl estradiol names are shown separately by country. Product availability, strengths, and supply rules can change; combination products are not included here.

Priority countries

India

Novelon21-tablet pack · Abbott India Ltd
Femilon21-tablet pack · Abbott India Ltd
Juliana21-tablet pack · Zydus Healthcare Limited
Miliana21-tablet pack · Zydus Healthcare Limited
Destrogen21-tablet pack · Corona Remedies Pvt Ltd
Intimacy Plus2 mg, 3 mg · Aristo Pharmaceuticals Pvt Ltd

View brands in additional countries.