Oriahnn (elagolix, estradiol, and norethindrone acetate) is prescribed to treat heavy periods from uterine fibroids. The drug comes as capsules. You swallow a specific one in the morning and a different one in the evening.
Oriahnn is used in adults to treat heavy periods from uterine fibroids. It’s approved only for females who have not experienced menopause. (In this article, we use the term “female” to refer to someone’s sex assigned at birth. For information about the difference between sex and gender, see this article.)
Oriahnn contains three active ingredients. (An active ingredient is what makes a drug work.) These ingredients and the groups of drugs they belong to are:
- elagolix: gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) antagonist
- estradiol: estrogen
- norethindrone acetate: progestin (synthetic version of the progesterone hormone)
This article describes the dosage of Oriahnn, as well as its strengths and how to take it. To learn more about Oriahnn, see this in-depth article.
The table below highlights the basics of Oriahnn’s dosage. All doses are listed in milligrams (mg).
| When | Dose | Capsule |
|---|---|---|
| morning | 1 capsule | white and yellow, imprinted with “EL300 AM” |
| evening | 1 capsule | white and light blue, imprinted with “EL300 PM” |
Keep reading for more details about Oriahnn’s dosage.
What is Oriahnn’s form?
Oriahnn is available as oral capsules. A specific capsule is for morning doses, and a specific capsule is for evening doses.
- morning capsule: white and yellow, imprinted with “EL300 AM”
- evening capsule: white and light blue, imprinted with “EL300 PM”
Blister packaging separates morning and evening capsules.
What strengths does Oriahnn come in?
Oriahnn comes in two strengths that are prescribed together. This is because capsules for the morning dose differ from capsules for the evening dose. The strengths of each capsule and its active ingredients are:
- morning capsule: 300 milligrams (mg) elagolix, 1 mg estradiol, and 0.5 mg norethindrone acetate
- evening capsule: 300 mg elagolix
What is the usual dosage of Oriahnn?
The information below describes the dosages that are commonly used or recommended. But be sure to take the dosage your doctor prescribes for you. They’ll determine the best dosage to fit your needs.
Dosage for heavy menstrual bleeding due to uterine fibroids
Oriahnn is used in adults to treat heavy periods from uterine fibroids. It’s approved only for females who have not experienced menopause. (In this article, we use the term “female” to refer to someone’s sex assigned at birth. For information about the difference between sex and gender, see this article.)
The typical Oriahnn dosage is:
- 1 white and yellow capsule (imprinted with “EL300 AM”) each morning
- 1 white and light blue capsule (imprinted with “EL300 PM”) each evening
Do not swap the morning and evening capsules. This is because each contains different ingredients.
Is Oriahnn taken long term?
No, Oriahnn isn’t usually taken as a long-term treatment. Studies recommend that you don’t take Oriahnn for more than 24 months (2 years). This recommendation is to help limit your risk of bone loss.
The dosage of Oriahnn you’re prescribed may depend on several factors. These include:
- other conditions you may have or ever had
- other medications you take
In the morning, you swallow one white and yellow capsule (imprinted with “EL300 AM”). In the evening, you swallow one white and light blue capsule (imprinted with “EL300 PM”). You may take your doses with or without food. But take each dose at about the same time daily.
Do not swap the morning and evening capsules. This is because each contains different ingredients. (Blister packaging separates your morning and evening doses.)
If you have difficulty swallowing capsules, see this article for tips on how to take this form of medication.
For information on the expiration, storage, and disposal of Oriahnn, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
Accessible drug containers and labels
Some pharmacies provide medication labels that:
- have large print
- use braille
- feature a code you can scan with a smartphone to change the text to audio
Check whether your current pharmacy offers these accessibility features. If it doesn’t, your doctor or pharmacist may be able to recommend pharmacies that do.
Let your pharmacist know if you have difficulty accessing pills in blister packaging. (This may require having to push a pill through some type of paper. Or it may require having to peel away a paper to access the pill.) They may have tips to help. Or they may be able to supply Oriahnn in another container that’s easier to open.
If you missed a morning or evening dose, check when it was due. If it was due within the past 4 hours, take the missed dose. Then, take your next dose at its usual time.
If the missed dose was due more than 4 hours ago, skip the missed dose. Then take your next dose at its usual time.
Don’t double up to make up for a missed dose. Doing so could increase your risk of side effects.
Talk with your doctor or pharmacist if you’re not sure whether you should take a missed dose.
To help you remember to take your dose of Oriahnn on time, try using a medication reminder. This can include setting an alarm or downloading a reminder app on your phone.
Do not take more Oriahnn than your doctor prescribes, as this can lead to harmful effects.
Symptoms of overdose
Symptoms caused by an overdose can include:
- nausea and vomiting
- belly pain
- feeling tired or sleepy
- tenderness in your breasts
- bleeding that’s not part of your menstrual period
What to do in case you take too much Oriahnn
Call your doctor right away if you think you’ve taken too much Oriahnn. You can also call 800-222-1222 to reach America’s Poison Centers or use its online resource. But if you have severe symptoms, immediately call 911 (or your local emergency number). Or go to the nearest emergency room.
Below are answers to some commonly asked questions about Oriahnn’s dosage.
How long does it take for Oriahnn to start working?
Oriahnn starts to work after your first dose. However, studies have shown it may take 1–2 months before you notice reduced symptoms. Your doctor will monitor you during treatment to check whether the drug is working for your condition.
If you have other questions about what to expect from your Oriahnn treatment, talk with your doctor.
Can Oriahnn be taken to stop periods? If so, what’s the dosage?
No, Oriahnn is not taken to stop periods. But Oriahnn is taken to treat heavy periods from uterine fibroids. Because of this, you may find your periods become lighter or shorter.
Because Oriahnn isn’t taken to stop periods, the drugmaker doesn’t provide recommended dosages for this use.
Some oral birth control drugs can extend the time between your periods. (Oriahnn is not birth control.) These provide hormone therapy for a certain number of days (when you don’t have a period). They also provide placebo pills (no active drug) for a certain number of days (when you do have a period). These drugs mean your periods could be weeks or even months apart.
Other birth control drug forms might extend time between periods. These include forms such as an injection, a skin patch, or a device implanted in your arm.
To learn more about treatment options for extending time between periods, talk with your doctor.
The sections above describe the usual dosages provided by Oriahnn’s drugmaker. If your doctor recommends this drug, they’ll prescribe the dosage that’s right for you.
Remember, you should not change your dosage of Oriahnn without your doctor’s recommendation. Only take Oriahnn exactly as prescribed. Talk with your doctor if you have questions or concerns about your current dosage.
Here are some examples of questions you may want to ask your doctor:
- What other treatment options do I have after I take Oriahnn for 24 months?
- Can you lower my dose of Oriahnn if I experience side effects?
- If Oriahnn makes my periods more manageable before I’ve taken it for 24 months, when should I stop taking it?
To learn more about Oriahnn, see this “All About Oriahnn” article.
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Disclaimer: Healthline 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.