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Ortho Tri Cyclen
Generic Name:
ethinyl estradiol and norgestimate
Typical Brand Name(s):
Ortho Cyclen, Ortho Tri-Cyclen, Ortho Tri-Cyclen Lo
What Is It Used For?
Ortho Tri Cyclen is a birth control
pill which provides you with a low daily dose of hormones that
prevent pregnancy. Ortho Tri Cyclen contains a
combination of female hormones that prevent ovulation (the release
of an egg from an ovary). It works by causing changes in the cervical
mucous and uterine lining, making it harder for sperm to reach the
uterus and harder for a fertilized egg to attach to the uterus.
Ortho Tri Cyclen has also been clinically proven
to help reduce mild to moderate acne-where nearly nine out of ten
women showed positive results. It works at the same time by actually
lowering the level of the hormone in your body that's likely to
cause acne.
How Is It Used?
Ortho Tri Cyclen should be taken exactly as prescribed
by your healthcare provider. The pill should be taken either on
the first day of your period or on the first Sunday after your period
begins.
Take one pill every day, no more than 24 hours
apart. When the pills run out, start a new pack the following day.
You may get pregnant if you do not use this medication regularly.
Get your prescription refilled before you run out of pills completely.
Do not smoke while using birth control
pills, especially if you are older than 35. Smoking increases
your risk of blood clots, stroke, or heart attack caused by birth
control pills.
What should my health care professional
know before I take Ortho Tri Cyclen?
Ortho Tri Cyclen should not be used if you are pregnant or if you
have recently had a baby. Inform your doctor if you are suffering
from conditions like:
- A history of stroke or blood clot, circulation
problems,
- A history of depression, gallbladder disease, seizures
or epilepsy,
- A hormone-related cancer such as breast or uterine
cancer,
- Abnormal vaginal bleeding,
- A history of irregular menstrual
cycles, liver disease or liver cancer, migraine headaches, or
- A
history of jaundice caused by birth control pills.
Are There Possible Side Effects?
Ortho Tri Cyclen may have possible side effects; therefore consult
your doctor before administering the drug. Refer to your doctor
if you encounter any signs of allergic reactions like hives; difficulty
breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
As your body adjusts to the medication, you may
experience mild nausea, vomiting, bloating, stomach cramps, breast
pain, tenderness, or swelling, freckles or darkening of facial skin,
changes in weight or appetite, increased hair growth, loss of scalp
hair, changes in your menstrual periods, etc.
Stop using Ortho Tri Cyclen if
you experience serious side effects like sudden numbness or weakness
on one side of the body, headache, confusion, pain behind the eyes,
problems with vision, speech, or balance; chest pain or heavy feeling,
pain spreading to the arm or shoulder, nausea, sweating, general
ill feeling, nausea, stomach pain, low fever, loss of appetite,
dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin
or eyes); swelling in your hands, ankles, or feet and symptoms of
depression (sleep problems, weakness, mood changes.
What drug(s) may interact with Ortho Tri
Cyclen?
Consult your doctor before using Ortho Tri Cyclen so as to prevent
instances of drug interactions. Some drugs can make birth control
pills less effective, resulting in pregnancy. Inform your doctor
if you are using drugs like phenylbutazone (Azolid, Butazolidin);
antibiotics such as amoxicillin (Augmentin), ampicillin (Omnipen),
doxycycline (Doryx, Vibramycin), griseofulvin (Grisactin, Grifulvin
V, Fulvicin PG), minocycline (Minocin), penicillin (Veetids, Pen
Vee K, Bicillin), rifampin (Rifadin), rifabutin (Mycobutin), tetracycline
(Sumycin, Achromycin, Robitet), and others; a barbiturate such as
amobarbital (Amytal), butabarbital (Butisol), mephobarbital (Mebaral),
secobarbital (Seconal), or phenobarbital (Luminal, Solfoton); seizure
medicines such as phenytoin (Dilantin), carbamazepine (Tegretol),
felbamate (Felbatol), oxcarbazepine (Trileptal), topiramate (Topamax),
or primidone (Mysoline).
Also inform your doctor if you are using HIV medicines
such as amprenavir (Agenerase), atazanavir (Reyataz), tipranavir
(Aptivus), indinavir (Crixivan), saquinavir (Invirase), lopinavir/
ritonavir (Kaletra), fosamprenavir (Lexiva), ritonavir (Norvir),
or nelfinavir (Viracept) and about all the prescription and over-the-counter
medications you use, including vitamins, minerals and herbal products.
What If I Miss A Dose?
Take care not to miss a dose of Ortho Tri Cyclen;
because, missing the pill increases your risk of becoming pregnant.
If you miss one pill, take two pills on the day immediately as you
remember. Then take one pill per day for the rest of the pack as
usual.
How Should It Be Stored?
Ortho Tri Cyclen should be stored at room temperature away from
moisture and heat.
NOTE: The above information
is intended to supplement, not substitute for, the expertise and
judgment of your physician, pharmacist, or other healthcare professional.
It should not be construed to indicate that the use of the product
is safe, appropriate, or effective for you. Consult your healthcare
professional before taking the product.
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