Ortho Tri-Cyclen

Ortho Tri-Cyclen is indicated for the prevention of pregnancy in women who elect to use oral contraceptives as a method of contraception. Each of the following products is a combination oral contraceptive containing the progestational compound norgestimate and the estrogenic compound ethinyl estradiol. It may also be used to regulate the menstrual cycle, treat symptoms of menopause, or treat other conditions as determined by your doctor.

Buy Ortho Tri-Cyclen (Brand)
Ortho TriCyclen 1 pack - 28 Tabs	$95.58
Ortho TriCyclen 3 packs - 84 Tabs	$179.58
Buy Ortho Tri-Cyclen (Generic)
Ortho TriCyclen (generic) 1 pack - 28 Tabs	$74.58
Ortho TriCyclen (generic ) 3 pack - 84 Tabs	$114.08

How Taken:
To achieve maximum contraceptive effectiveness, Ortho Tri-Cyclen must be taken exactly as directed and at intervals not exceeding 24 hours. IF YOU HAVE TROUBLE REMEMBERING TO TAKE THE PILL, talk to your health care professional about how to make pill-taking easier or about using another method of birth control. MANY WOMEN HAVE SPOTTING OR LIGHT BLEEDING, OR MAY FEEL SICK TO THEIR STOMACH DURING THE FIRST 1-3 PACKS OF PILLS. You could get pregnant if you miss pills. This includes starting the pack late. Do not stop taking the pill if you feel sick to your stomach. Check with your health care professional if it doesn't go away. MISSING PILLS CAN ALSO CAUSE SPOTTING OR LIGHT BLEEDING, even when you make up these missed pills. On the days you take 2 pills to make up for missed pills, you could also feel a little sick to your stomach. Use a back-up method (such as condoms or spermicides) until you check with your health care professional.

Warnings Precautions:
IF YOU HAVE VOMITING OR DIARRHEA, or IF YOU TAKE SOME MEDICINES, including some antibiotics, your pills may not work as well. Smoking cigarettes while using Ortho Tri-Cyclen may increase your risk of stroke, heart attack, blood clots, high blood pressure, or other diseases of the heart and blood vessels. To prevent pregnancy, use an additional form of birth control until your next period. Tell the doctor or dentist that you are using Ortho Tri-Cyclen before you have any medical or dental treatments, emergency care, or surgery. Before you begin taking any new medicine, either prescription or over-the-counter, check with your doctor or pharmacist. Ortho Tri-Cyclen may cause dark skin patches on your face. Exposure to the sun may make these patches darker. If patches develop, use a sunscreen or protective clothing when exposed to the sun, sunlamps, or tanning booths. Use of Ortho Tri-Cyclen will not prevent the spread of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). If you are pregnant do not use Ortho Tri-Cyclen. Contact your doctor immediately if you suspect that you could be pregnant. Ortho Tri-Cyclen is excreted in breast milk. Check with your doctor or pharmacist to discuss the risks to your baby if you are or will be breast-feeding while you are using Ortho Tri-Cyclen. If you wear contact lenses and you develop problems with them, contact your doctor.

Missed Dose:
There is little likelihood that ovulation will occur if you miss one dose. Take the dose as soon as you remember or take two pills at the time of your next regularly scheduled dose. You may, however, want to use a second method of birth control such as a condom or a spermicidal cream, jelly, or foam for at least 7 consecutive days following the missed tablet to ensure protection from pregnancy. If you miss two tablets in a row, take the two missed tablets as soon as you remember or with your next regularly scheduled dose (three total). Or, you may take two tablets each for the next two regularly scheduled doses (one missed tablet plus one regularly scheduled tablet for 2 days in a row). Chances are much greater that you may ovulate so you must use another form of birth control for at least 7 days following the missed tablets. It is even better to use a second method of birth control until your next period. If you miss three tablets in a row, throw away the package and start a new package on the 7th day after the last day you took a pill. Use another method of birth control until you have taken a pill for 7 days in a row. Your period should occur during the 7 days without pills. If it doesn't, have a pregnancy test before beginning a new package of pills.

Side Effects:
Check with your doctor as soon as possible if you experience persistent or recurrent abnormal vaginal bleeding, a missed menstrual period, dizziness or fainting, swelling of fingers or ankles, headache, or difficulty wearing contact lenses. Side effects may go away during treatment, include nausea, vomiting, bleeding between menstrual periods, breast tenderness, or weight change. If they continue or are bothersome, check with your doctor. Contact your doctor immediately if you experience sharp or crushing chest pain, sudden shortness of breath, sudden severe headache or leg pain, yellow skin or eyes, changes in vision, numbness of an arm or leg, or severe stomach pain. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor.

Storage:
Keep this and all medications out of the reach of children. Store at room temperature away from light and moisture.

Overdose:
Over dosage may cause nausea and withdrawal bleeding may occur in females. Serious ill effects have not been reported following acute ingestion of large doses of oral contraceptives by young children.

More Information:
Patients should be counseled that this product does not protect against HIV infection (AIDS) and other sexually transmitted diseases. Your doctor will take a medical and family history before prescribing oral contraceptives and will examine you. The physical examination may be delayed to another time if you request it and the health care professional believes that it is a good medical practice to postpone it. You should be reexamined at least once a year. Be sure to inform your doctor if there is a family history of any of the conditions listed previously in this leaflet. Be sure to keep all appointments with your doctor, because this is a time to determine if there are early signs of side effects of oral contraceptive use. Do not use the drug for any condition other than the one for which it was prescribed. This drug has been prescribed specifically for you; do not give it to others who may want birth control pills. IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS OR ARE UNSURE ABOUT THE INFORMATION IN THIS LEAFLET, call your health care professional.

This entry was filed under Birth Control.