Wymzya Fe

Pronunciation: WIM-zee-ah eff-ee.

Generic name
norethindrone and ethinyl estradiol (chewable tablets), and ferrous fumarate (tablets)
Drug class
Combined oral contraceptive (progestin + estrogen), with a non-hormonal iron-supplement placebo tablet component
Form
28-day tablet kit: 21 white chewable active tablets (norethindrone 0.4 mg/ethinyl estradiol 0.035 mg) followed by 7 brown non-hormonal tablets (ferrous fumarate 75 mg)
Route
Oral (chewable or swallowed tablet)
Legal status
Prescription-only medicine in the United States (FDA-approved). The underlying hormone combination (norethindrone/norethisterone + ethinyl estradiol) is a real, authorised prescription medicine in the United Kingdom, Australia, and New Zealand under different brand names (Brevinor, Norimin, Norimin-1) -- but the specific Wymzya Fe brand and its iron-placebo-tablet feature were not confirmed to exist outside the United States this session. Always check your own country's specific product.

Availability and supply rules vary by country

Trade names by country: United States · United Kingdom · Canada · Australia · New Zealand

Australia: Norimin-1 (norethisterone 1mg/ethinylestradiol 35mcg) -- different brand, same hormone class, Fe-placebo feature not confirmed (4) · Full directory

What norethindrone and ethinyl estradiol (chewable tablets), and ferrous fumarate (tablets) is and how it works

Wymzya Fe is a combined hormonal oral contraceptive. Each 28-day pack contains 21 active chewable tablets (norethindrone and ethinyl estradiol) that prevent pregnancy, followed by 7 non-hormonal brown tablets containing ferrous fumarate (an iron supplement). The iron tablets do not prevent pregnancy or treat iron-deficiency anaemia at a therapeutic level -- they are included simply to help maintain the daily pill-taking habit during the hormone-free week. (1)

This is a genuinely distinct medicine from other iron-containing products reviewed in this pipeline (such as ferrous fumarate or ferrous gluconate supplements themselves) -- here, the iron tablets are a minor, secondary component of a contraceptive product, not the primary active ingredient. As with all combined hormonal contraceptives, Wymzya Fe carries a real FDA Boxed Warning: cigarette smoking significantly increases the risk of serious cardiovascular side effects, especially in women over 35, and all users face a real, well-documented increased risk of blood clots (venous thromboembolism) and, less commonly, arterial events like stroke or heart attack.

Mechanism of action: how norethindrone and ethinyl estradiol (chewable tablets), and ferrous fumarate (tablets) works

Norethindrone (a progestin) and ethinyl estradiol (an estrogen) act mainly by suppressing ovulation, along with changes to cervical mucus and the endometrium that further reduce the likelihood of pregnancy. Ferrous fumarate has no hormonal or contraceptive activity. (1)

What norethindrone and ethinyl estradiol (chewable tablets), and ferrous fumarate (tablets) is used for

Prevention of pregnancy

Indicated for use by women who elect to use oral hormonal contraception to prevent pregnancy. Does not protect against HIV infection or other sexually transmitted infections. (1)

Before taking norethindrone and ethinyl estradiol (chewable tablets), and ferrous fumarate (tablets)

Do not take / not appropriate for

  • Do not take if you smoke and are over age 35 -- combined oral contraceptives are contraindicated in this group due to significantly increased cardiovascular risk. (all countries) (1)
  • Do not take if you have a current or past history of blood clots (thrombophlebitis or other thromboembolic disorders), stroke, coronary artery disease, uncontrolled high blood pressure, migraine with aura, known or suspected breast cancer, active liver disease or a liver tumour, or if you are or may be pregnant. (all countries) (1)

Tell your clinician about

  • Whether you smoke, and how much, especially if you are over 35.
  • Any personal or family history of blood clots, stroke, or heart disease.
  • Any history of migraine, especially migraine with aura.
  • Any history of liver disease or liver tumours.
  • If you are or may be pregnant, or are breastfeeding.
  • Any other medicines you take, including rifampin, certain anticonvulsants, certain antibiotics, St. John's Wort, or anti-HIV protease inhibitors, as these can reduce contraceptive effectiveness.
  • Any upcoming surgery or period of prolonged immobilisation, since combined oral contraceptives may need to be stopped in advance.
(1)

How to take norethindrone and ethinyl estradiol (chewable tablets), and ferrous fumarate (tablets)

  • Take one tablet by mouth at the same time every day, in the order shown on the pack. Tablets may be chewed or swallowed.
  • Take the 21 white active (hormone) tablets first, then the 7 brown ferrous fumarate tablets during the pill-free week -- the brown tablets do not prevent pregnancy.
  • Start a new pack immediately after finishing the previous one, without a gap, to maintain contraceptive protection.
  • If feasible, this type of contraceptive should be stopped at least 4 weeks before and through 2 weeks after major surgery, or during prolonged immobilisation, given increased clot risk -- follow your clinician's specific direction.
  • If not breastfeeding, this type of contraceptive is not typically started until at least 4 weeks after delivery, since postpartum blood clot risk is higher in the first 3 weeks after childbirth.
(1)

Procedures and treatment changes

Tell the treating team before surgery, procedures, or any medicine change. Do not alter treatment without the responsible clinician. (1) (2) (3) (4) (5)

Missed dose

Missed-dose rules for combined oral contraceptives depend on how many tablets were missed and where in the pack cycle it occurred, and carry real pregnancy-risk implications. Follow the specific missed-dose instructions in your product's patient information leaflet, or contact your pharmacist or clinician promptly -- do not guess, and use back-up contraception (such as condoms) if advised.

Overdose

This dossier's sources did not describe a specific serious overdose syndrome from excess hormone-tablet or iron-placebo-tablet intake in this product, though taking multiple hormone tablets could cause nausea or vomiting. If a child accidentally swallows tablets from this pack, or if an adult takes substantially more than directed, contact a doctor or poison control centre for guidance, particularly given the ferrous fumarate content, since iron products carry a real risk of serious poisoning in children. (1)

Side effects

Side effects and their urgency vary; report severe, persistent, or concerning symptoms.

Nausea, breast tenderness, headache, or breakthrough bleeding/spotting, especially in the first few cycles.

What to notice: Nausea, breast tenderness, headache, or breakthrough bleeding/spotting, especially in the first few cycles.

What to do: Discuss persistent or troublesome symptoms with the treating clinician or pharmacist. (1)

Mood changes.

What to notice: Mood changes.

What to do: Discuss persistent or troublesome symptoms with the treating clinician or pharmacist. (1)

Serious warnings

Cardiovascular risk in smokers (Boxed Warning) — high caution

Symptoms: Not applicable for a first dose -- this is a pre-treatment risk warning. Cigarette smoking substantially increases the risk of serious cardiovascular events with combined oral contraceptive use, particularly in women over 35, and risk rises with the number of cigarettes smoked.

Action: Women who smoke and are over 35 should not use this medicine. All users who smoke should be strongly counselled to quit, and should discuss safer contraceptive options with their clinician. (1)

Venous thromboembolism (blood clots) and arterial events (stroke, heart attack) — high caution

Symptoms: Leg swelling, pain, warmth, or redness (possible deep vein thrombosis); sudden shortness of breath or chest pain (possible pulmonary embolism); sudden severe headache, weakness on one side, or trouble speaking (possible stroke); chest pain or pressure (possible heart attack).

Action: Seek emergency medical care immediately if any of these symptoms occur. Risk is highest in the first year of use and when restarting after a break of 4 or more weeks. Discuss your personal risk factors (smoking, obesity, clotting disorders, family history) with your clinician before starting. (1)

Interactions

  • Rifampin, certain anticonvulsants, certain antibiotics, St. John's Wort, and certain anti-HIV protease inhibitors can reduce this medicine's contraceptive effectiveness -- discuss back-up contraception with your clinician if you take any of these. (1)

Pregnancy, breastfeeding, kidney/liver function, age

Pregnancy

Contraindicated. Do not use if you are or may be pregnant; there is no reason to use a contraceptive during confirmed pregnancy. (1) (2) (3) (4) (5)

Breastfeeding

Small amounts of the hormones pass into breast milk. Discuss alternative contraception with your clinician while breastfeeding, particularly in the early postpartum period. (1) (2) (3) (4) (5)

Children

Not indicated for use before the onset of menses; this is a contraceptive for women of reproductive age. (1) (2) (3) (4) (5)

Elderly

Not typically indicated; combined oral contraceptives are generally not used after menopause. (1) (2) (3) (4) (5)

Hepatic_impairment

Contraindicated in active liver disease or hepatic tumours. (1) (2) (3) (4) (5)

Renal_impairment

No specific restriction described in the sources reviewed for this dossier. (1) (2) (3) (4) (5)

Monitoring

Before starting

  • Smoking status and age.
  • Personal/family history of blood clots, stroke, or heart disease.
  • Blood pressure.
  • Migraine history, especially with aura.
  • Liver health.
  • Pregnancy status.

During treatment

  • Watch for any signs of blood clot, stroke, or heart attack.
  • Periodic blood pressure checks as advised by your clinician.
  • Report any new migraine with aura promptly.
(1)

Storage

Store at room temperature, away from moisture, in the original packaging so the correct tablet order is maintained. Keep out of reach of children -- the ferrous fumarate tablets carry a real iron-poisoning risk if taken by a child in quantity.

Professional information

Clinician-facing context only, sourced from the current US DailyMed/FDA-approved prescribing information and the real UK, Australian, and New Zealand equivalents of the underlying hormone combination reviewed for this dossier; verify against the current full label before recommending.

United States

Indication: Prevention of pregnancy

Dose summary: 21 active tablets (norethindrone 0.4 mg/ethinyl estradiol 0.035 mg) once daily, then 7 ferrous fumarate 75 mg tablets once daily, repeating continuously.

Renal context: No specific renal dose adjustment described in the sources reviewed. (1)

Mechanism of action

Hepatic guidance

Contraindicated in active liver disease or hepatic adenoma/tumour.

Overdose note

No specific serious hormone-overdose syndrome was described in the sources reviewed; nausea/vomiting are possible with excess tablet intake. Standard iron-poisoning precautions apply to the ferrous fumarate component if a large quantity is ingested, particularly by a child. (1)

Frequently asked questions

Is Wymzya Fe available in the US, UK, EU, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand?

The Wymzya Fe brand itself, and specifically its iron-placebo-tablet feature, is confirmed only as a real, FDA-approved product in the United States. The underlying hormone combination (norethindrone/norethisterone + ethinyl estradiol) is genuinely marketed under different brand names in the United Kingdom (Brevinor, Norimin), Australia (Norimin-1, Brevinor), and New Zealand (Norimin), and generally referenced for Canada (Ortho 1/35), but none of these were confirmed this session to include the specific iron-supplemented placebo tablet that Wymzya Fe has. Note that Australia's Norimin/Brevinor products experienced a real, TGA-documented supply shortage in 2020 (since addressed) -- a reminder that availability of any specific brand can change over time, so always confirm current stock with your local pharmacy. EU-specific availability was not independently confirmed this session. (1) (2) (4) (5) (3)

Do the brown ferrous fumarate tablets in Wymzya Fe protect against pregnancy or treat anaemia?

No. The 7 brown tablets are non-hormonal and have no contraceptive effect -- they are included only to support the habit of taking a tablet every day during the pill-free week. The iron dose is not intended as a therapeutic treatment for iron-deficiency anaemia. (1)

Why does Wymzya Fe have a Boxed Warning about smoking?

Cigarette smoking significantly increases the risk of serious cardiovascular side effects (such as blood clots, stroke, and heart attack) in women using combined oral contraceptives, and this risk rises further with age, particularly after 35. This is a real FDA Boxed Warning, the agency's highest-level warning category, and women who smoke and are over 35 should not use this medicine. (1)

What is the mechanism of action of norethindrone and ethinyl estradiol (chewable tablets), and ferrous fumarate (tablets)?

Norethindrone (a progestin) and ethinyl estradiol (an estrogen) act mainly by suppressing ovulation, along with changes to cervical mucus and the endometrium that further reduce the likelihood of pregnancy. Ferrous fumarate has no hormonal or contraceptive activity. (1)

What is the generic name of Wymzya Fe?

The generic name is norethindrone and ethinyl estradiol (chewable tablets), and ferrous fumarate (tablets). (1)

What class of drug is norethindrone and ethinyl estradiol (chewable tablets), and ferrous fumarate (tablets)?

Wymzya Fe is classed as: Combined oral contraceptive (progestin + estrogen), with a non-hormonal iron-supplement placebo tablet component. (1)

References

  1. WYMZYA Fe (norethindrone and ethinyl estradiol tablets, chewable, and ferrous fumarate tablets) -- full prescribing informationDailyMed (U.S. National Library of Medicine) / FDA-approved prescribing information · United States · accessed 2026-07-31 · source 1
  2. Brevinor 0.5mg/35mcg Tablets and Norimin 1mg/0.035mg Tablets -- SmPC (same hormone class as Wymzya Fe, different brand)electronic medicines compendium (emc), United Kingdom -- Summary of Product Characteristics · United Kingdom · accessed 2026-07-31 · source 2
  3. Ortho 1/35 and related norethindrone/ethinyl estradiol combined oral contraceptives referenced as marketed in CanadaGeneral Canadian/North American drug-information references (not a direct Health Canada database confirmation) · Canada · accessed 2026-07-31 · source 3
  4. Norimin-1 (ARTG 62136) and Brevinor -- TGA registration and a real, documented 2020 supply shortageTherapeutic Goods Administration (TGA), Australia -- ARTG entry and shortage alert · Australia · accessed 2026-07-31 · source 4
  5. Norimin 28 Day Tablets -- Medsafe Consumer Medicine Information and Pharmac funding noticeMedsafe (New Zealand Medicines and Medical Devices Safety Authority) and Pharmac · New Zealand · accessed 2026-07-31 · source 5

Brand names by country

Single-ingredient norethindrone and ethinyl estradiol (chewable tablets), and ferrous fumarate (tablets) names are shown separately by country. Product availability, strengths, and supply rules can change; combination products are not included here.

Priority countries

United States

  • Wymzya Fe (norethindrone 0.4mg/ethinyl estradiol 0.035mg chewable + ferrous fumarate 75mg placebo) (1)FDA approved confirmed · 0.4 mg/0.035 mg (active); 75 mg ferrous fumarate (placebo) · Warner Chilcott Company, LLC (manufacturer) / Lupin Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (marketer)

United Kingdom

  • Brevinor (norethisterone 0.5mg/ethinylestradiol 35mcg) -- different brand, same hormone class, Fe-placebo feature not confirmed (2)MHRA licensed confirmed for hormone combination only · 0.5 mg/35 mcg · not independently re-confirmed this session
  • Norimin (norethisterone 1mg/ethinylestradiol 0.035mg) -- different brand, same hormone class, Fe-placebo feature not confirmed (2)MHRA licensed confirmed for hormone combination only · 1 mg/0.035 mg · not independently re-confirmed this session

Canada

  • Ortho 1/35 (norethindrone/ethinyl estradiol) -- different brand, same hormone class, Fe-placebo feature not confirmed, no DIN independently confirmed (3)general reference source confirmation only · not independently confirmed this session · not independently confirmed this session

Australia

  • Norimin-1 (norethisterone 1mg/ethinylestradiol 35mcg) -- different brand, same hormone class, Fe-placebo feature not confirmed (4)TGA ARTG registered confirmed 1998-01-08 real 2020 shortage disclosed · 1 mg/35 mcg · Pfizer Australia Pty Ltd (ARTG 62136)

New Zealand

  • Norimin (norethisterone 500mcg/ethinylestradiol 35mcg) -- different brand, same hormone class, Fe-placebo feature not confirmed (5)Medsafe CMI and Pharmac funding confirmed · 500 mcg/35 mcg · Pfizer New Zealand Limited
View brands in additional countries.

This page provides general reference information about Wymzya Fe and is not a substitute for advice from your pharmacist or clinician. Combined hormonal contraceptives carry a real risk of serious cardiovascular events, particularly in smokers over 35 -- discuss your personal risk factors with a clinician before starting.

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