Oriahnn (elagolix/estradiol/norethindrone acetate) is a brand-name medication prescribed to manage heavy periods caused by fibroids. As with other drugs, Oriahnn can cause side effects, such as hot flashes and headache.

Oriahnn can cause certain side effects, some of which are more common than others. These side effects may be temporary, lasting a few days to weeks. However, if the side effects last longer than that, bother you, or become severe, be sure to talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

These are just a few of the more common side effects reported by people who took Oriahnn in clinical trials:

* For more information about this side effect, see “Side effect specifics” below.

Mild side effects can occur with Oriahnn treatment. This list doesn’t include all possible mild side effects of the drug. For more information, you can refer to Oriahnn’s prescribing information.

Mild side effects that have been reported with Oriahnn include:

These side effects may be temporary, lasting a few days to weeks. However, if the side effects last longer than that, bother you, or become severe, be sure to talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Note: After the FDA approves a drug, it tracks side effects of the medication. If you develop a side effect while taking Oriahnn and want to tell the FDA about it, visit MedWatch.

* For more information about this side effect, see “Side effect specifics” below.
† An allergic reaction is possible after taking Oriahnn. However, it’s not clear whether this side effect occurred in clinical trials. To learn more, see the “Side effect specifics” section below.

Oriahnn may cause serious side effects. The list below may not include all possible serious side effects of the drug. For more information, you can refer to Oriahnn’s prescribing information.

If you develop serious side effects while taking Oriahnn, call your doctor right away. If the side effects seem life threatening or you think you’re having a medical emergency, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number.

Serious side effects that have been reported and their symptoms include:

* Oriahnn has a boxed warning for this side effect. This is the most serious warning from the FDA. To learn more, see the “Side effect specifics” section below.
† An allergic reaction is possible after taking Oriahnn. However, it’s not clear whether this side effect occurred in clinical trials. To learn more, see the “Side effect specifics” section below.

Suicide prevention

If you know someone at immediate risk of self-harm, suicide, or hurting another person:

  • Ask the tough question: “Are you considering suicide?”
  • Listen to the person without judgment.
  • Call 911 or the local emergency number, or text TALK to 741741 to communicate with a trained crisis counselor.
  • Stay with the person until professional help arrives.
  • Try to remove any weapons, medications, or other potentially harmful objects if it’s safe to do so.

If you or someone you know is having thoughts of suicide, a prevention hotline can help. The 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline is available 24 hours a day at 988. During a crisis, people who are hard of hearing can use their preferred relay service or dial 711 then 988.

Find more links and local resources.

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Oriahnn may cause several side effects. Here are some frequently asked questions about the drug’s side effects and their answers.

How long do side effects of Oriahnn typically last?

The more common side effects of Oriahnn may go away on their own after a few days to weeks as your body adjusts to the drug. But Oriahnn may also cause some side effects that are long term.

For example, bone loss* may occur during Oriahnn treatment and may not be reversible after you stop taking the drug.

Hair loss and hair thinning have also been reported in people taking Oriahnn in clinical trials. In some cases, hair loss may continue after you’re no longer taking the drug. It’s not known whether hair loss is reversible, meaning hair loss or thinning may be permanent.

Taking Oriahnn may also cause blood clots.† These can lead to serious cardiovascular problems that may require long-term treatment or recovery time. Examples include heart attack and stroke.

If you have concerns about possible long-term side effects Oriahnn may cause, talk with your doctor.

* This is a serious side effect of Oriahnn. To learn more, see the “Serious side effects of Oriahnn” section above.
† Oriahnn has a boxed warning for this side effect. This is the most serious warning from the FDA. To learn more about this risk, see the “Side effect specifics” section below.

Can Oriahnn cause weight loss?

No, weight loss wasn’t reported in clinical trials of Oriahnn.

However, while weight loss wasn’t reported, weight gain is a possible side effect of the drug. Talk with your doctor if you have concerns about weight changes while taking Oriahnn.

Learn more about some of the side effects that Oriahnn may cause. To find out how often side effects occurred in clinical trials, see the prescribing information for Oriahnn.

Risks of blood clots and blood vessel disorders

Drugs that contain estrogen and progestin, such as Oriahnn, have been shown to increase the risks of blood clots and serious cardiovascular problems. In fact, Oriahnn has a boxed warning for the risks of blood clots and blood vessel disorders. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the FDA. It lets doctors and patients know about drug effects that may be dangerous.

Blood clots such as deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism rarely occurred in Oriahnn’s clinical trials. (“Thrombosis” is the medical term for “blood clot.”) Blood clots can lead to serious cardiovascular problems, such as heart attack or stroke.

Symptoms of a blood clot can include:

What you can do

If you develop any of the above symptoms while taking Oriahnn, stop taking the drug and call your doctor immediately. However, if your symptoms seem serious and you think you’re having a medical emergency, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number.

Due to the risk of blood clots with Oriahnn, your doctor may not prescribe the drug if you have risk factors. For example, Oriahnn may not be safe for you to take if you’ve had a blood clot in the past. Other blood clot risk factors include:

  • cigarette smoking and being over age 35 years
  • certain types of headache or migraine and being over age 35 years
  • high blood pressure that’s not well-managed
  • past heart attack or stroke
  • high cholesterol
  • any condition that affects blood clotting
  • certain heart problems that can cause blood clots, such as atrial fibrillation
  • obesity

Be sure to talk with your doctor about your risk factors before starting treatment with Oriahnn. In some cases, your doctor will recommend other treatment options instead of Oriahnn.

Irregular menstrual bleeding

Changes in menstrual bleeding were commonly reported in clinical trials of Oriahnn.

Changes in your period can include:

  • spotting
  • lighter or heavier periods
  • shorter or longer periods
  • not having a period

What you can do

These changes in menstrual bleeding typically aren’t harmful. However, not having a period can make it harder to know whether you’re pregnant. If you can become pregnant, you should watch for other signs of pregnancy while taking Oriahnn. These signs can include breast tenderness, weight gain, and nausea.

If you think you may be pregnant, stop taking Oriahnn and contact your doctor right away. For more information about pregnancy and Oriahnn, see “Pregnancy or breastfeeding” in the “Precautions for Oriahnn” section below.

Talk with your doctor if you have questions or concerns about irregular bleeding while taking Oriahnn.

Allergic reaction

As with most drugs, Oriahnn can cause an allergic reaction in some people. However, it’s not clear whether this side effect occurred in clinical trials.

Symptoms can be mild or serious and can include:

  • skin rash
  • itching
  • flushing
  • swelling under your skin, typically in your eyelids, lips, hands, or feet
  • swelling of your mouth, tongue, or throat, which can make it hard to breathe

What you can do

For mild symptoms of an allergic reaction, call your doctor right away. They may recommend ways to ease your symptoms and determine whether you should keep taking Oriahnn. However, if your symptoms are serious and you think you’re having a medical emergency, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number.

There are a number of precautions for Oriahnn treatment to consider before taking the medication.

Boxed warning: Risks of blood clots and blood vessel disorders

This drug has a boxed warning for the risks of blood clots and blood vessel disorders. This is the most serious warning from the FDA. For details, see the “Side effect specifics” section above.

Other precautions

Be sure to talk with your doctor about your health history before you take Oriahnn. This drug may not be the right treatment option for you if you have certain medical conditions or other factors that affect your health. These include:

Depression or mood disorders: Taking Oriahnn can cause mood disorders, such as depression, anxiety, and suicidal thoughts or behaviors in some people. If you currently have a mood disorder, taking Oriahnn may worsen it. Talk with your doctor if you’ve ever had a mood disorder before taking Oriahnn. They may monitor you more closely during treatment.

High blood pressure: Oriahnn can increase your blood pressure. If you have high blood pressure, it’s possible that taking Oriahnn may worsen it. Having high blood pressure can also increase your risk of serious cardiovascular problems, such as blood clots,* heart attack, or stroke. Your doctor will monitor your blood pressure during treatment with Oriahnn.

Osteoporosis: Oriahnn can cause bone loss that may not be reversible. If you have osteoporosis, your doctor likely won’t prescribe Oriahnn. Also, because of the risk of bone loss, you should not take Oriahnn for more than 24 months. Talk with your doctor about possible risk factors for osteoporosis before starting Oriahnn. If you’ve had a fracture in the past or have risk factors for osteoporosis, your doctor may recommend a different treatment option for you.

Hormone-sensitive cancer: If you currently have or have ever had breast cancer or another type of cancer that’s sensitive to hormones, you should not take Oriahnn. These types of cancers rely on hormones, such as estrogen, to develop and grow. Oriahnn contains a form of estrogen, so taking this medication may worsen your condition. If you’ve ever had cancer that’s affected by hormones, your doctor may recommend a different treatment option for you.

Diabetes: Oriahnn can increase your blood sugar level. If you already have diabetes, your doctor will likely monitor your blood sugar more frequently. They may make changes to your diabetes medications to help manage your blood sugar during treatment with Oriahnn.

Lipid disorders: Taking Oriahnn can increase the level of lipids (fats), such as cholesterol and triglycerides, in your blood. If you already have high cholesterol or high triglycerides, taking Oriahnn may further increase them. Having a lipid disorder may also increase your risk of cardiovascular problems, such as blood clots.* If you have a lipid disorder, your doctor will closely monitor your cholesterol level during treatment with Oriahnn.

Unexplained vaginal bleeding: Tell your doctor about any unexplained vaginal bleeding before starting Oriahnn. If you have vaginal bleeding and the cause isn’t known, your doctor will likely not prescribe Oriahnn. They’ll likely want to determine and treat the cause before you start treatment.

Liver problems: Oriahnn can cause liver problems. If you have liver disease, taking Oriahnn can worsen your condition. Tell your doctor if you have liver disease before starting treatment with Oriahnn. They’ll likely recommend a different treatment option that’s safer for you.

Gallbladder problems: Taking Oriahnn may increase your risk of developing gallbladder disease. If you’ve had gallbladder problems in the past, talk with your doctor to find out whether Oriahnn is a safe option for you.

Surgery: Tell your doctor if you have any planned surgeries. Having surgery can raise your risk of blood clots. Taking Oriahnn may increase this risk. Your doctor may recommend that you stop taking Oriahnn before or after your surgery.

Increased risk of blood clots: If you have an irregular heart rhythm or heart valve problem, inform your doctor before starting Oriahnn. These and certain other conditions can raise your risk of blood clots.* Taking Oriahnn can also cause blood clots. Because of this risk, your doctor will likely not prescribe Oriahnn if you have a condition that can cause blood clots.

Allergy to aspirin or Yellow No. 5: Tell your doctor if you’re allergic to aspirin before taking Oriahnn. People who are allergic to aspirin have a higher risk of an allergic reaction to an ingredient in Oriahnn called Yellow No. 5 (tartrazine). If you have an allergy to aspirin or Yellow No. 5, your doctor likely won’t prescribe Oriahnn for you.

Allergic reaction: If you’ve ever had an allergic reaction to Oriahnn or any of its ingredients, including Yellow No. 5, your doctor will likely not prescribe Oriahnn. Ask your doctor what other medications may be better options for you.

Pregnancy or breastfeeding: If you’re pregnant, Oriahnn is not considered safe for you to take. And if you’re breastfeeding your child, Oriahnn may not be safe for you or your child. Be sure to tell your doctor if you’re pregnant or breastfeeding. They can let you know about other treatment options for your condition. You may need to take a pregnancy test before starting Oriahnn, so your doctor can confirm you’re not pregnant.

If you become pregnant while taking Oriahnn, you and your doctor should consider reporting your pregnancy to the BLOOM Pregnancy Registry. A pregnancy registry helps gather information on how certain drugs can affect pregnancy. To learn more, call 833-782-7241, visit the registry website, or talk with your doctor.

Alcohol consumption: There aren’t any known interactions between Oriahnn and alcohol. However, drinking alcohol while taking Oriahnn may increase your risk of certain Oriahnn side effects. These include hot flashes and, rarely, blood clots.* Talk with your doctor about whether it’s safe to drink alcohol during treatment with Oriahnn.

* Oriahnn has a boxed warning for the risk of blood clots and blood vessel disorders. To learn more, see the “Side effect specifics” section above.

Oriahnn can cause mild and serious side effects. But serious side effects aren’t common. You should talk with your doctor if you have any side effects that last, are bothersome, or are serious.

If you’d like to learn more about Oriahnn, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. They can help answer any questions you have about side effects from taking the drug.

Besides talking with your doctor, you can do some research on your own. These articles might help:

Disclaimer: Medical News Today has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.