Ortho Tri-Cyclen

What is Ortho Tri-Cyclen?
Ortho Tri-Cyclen is a combination contraceptive pill containing two female sex hormones - estrogen and progestin. It can stop you from becoming pregnant if taken correctly.

What is it used for ?
Ortho Tri-Cyclen used to prevent pregnancy. It may also be used to regulate the menstrual cycle, treat symptoms of menopause, or treat other conditions as determined by your doctor.

Common Brand Name(S):
Brevicon, Demulen, Lo/Ovral, Loestrin, Modicon, Nordette, Norinyl, Ortho-Novum, Ovcon, Ovral, Tri-Phasil

How is it used?
Ortho-Tricycle is taken once every day, not more than 24 hours apart. It is advisable to take it with food or immediately after a meal to prevent stomach upset. Try to take it at the same time each day as it may help you to remember to take it. Follow your dosing schedule carefully. Use a supplemental form of birth control during the first week of taking Ortho Tri-Cyclen since it takes a while to be effective. Follow your doctor's directions exactly if Ortho Tri-Cyclen is being used as a "morning after" pill.

What are the side effects ?
Side effects associated with Ortho Tri-Cycle may go away during treatment. The side effects include nausea, vomiting, bleeding between menstrual periods, breast tenderness, or weight change. If they continue or are bothersome, consult your doctor. Check with your doctor as soon as possible if you experience symptoms such as persistent or recurrent abnormal vaginal bleeding, a missed menstrual period, dizziness or fainting, swelling of fingers or ankles, headache, or difficulty wearing contact lenses. Consult the 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, nurse, or pharmacist.

What precautions should you keep in mind while taking Ortho Tri-Cyclen ?
You should tell your doctor about your entire medical history, including family medical history, especially in case of the following conditions.

1. Health Problems :
Before taking Ortho Tri- Cyclen, consult your doctor incase you have health problems like asthma, high blood pressure, kidney disease, liver heart disease, stroke, history of jaundice (yellowing skin/eyes) or high blood pressure during pregnancy, excessive weight gain or fluid retention during menstrual cycle, blood clots, heart attack, seizures, migraine headaches, breast cancer, high blood level of cholesterol or lipids (fats), diabetes, depression.

2. Effect on Skin :
Depending on strength, Ortho Tri-Cyclen may cause a patchy, darkening of the skin on the face (melasma). Higher strengths are more likely to cause melasma. Sunlight may intensify this darkening and you may need to avoid prolonged sun exposure and sunlamps. Consult your doctor regarding use of sunscreens and protective clothing.

3. Cigarette Smoking:
Smoking cigarettes while using this medicine may increase your risk of stroke, heart attack, blood clots, high blood pressure, or other diseases of the heart and blood vessels.

4. Effect on Vision:
If you are near-sighted or wear contact lenses, you may develop vision problems. Also, your tolerance of the lenses may decrease. Contact your eye doctor if these problems occur.

5. Pregnancy
It may take a long time for you to become pregnant after you stop taking birth control pills. It must not be used during pregnancy. If you become pregnant or think you may be pregnant, inform your doctor immediately.

6. Breast Feeding
Ortho Tri-Cyclen passes into breast milk. This may affect milk production and may have harmful effects on a nursing infant. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.

7. Medical Treatment
Before you have any medical or dental treatments, emergency care, or surgery, tell the doctor or dentist that you are using this medicine.

How does Ortho Tri-Cyclen interact with other Drugs?

Do not start or stop any medicine without doctor or pharmacist approval.

•  Tell your doctor what prescription and nonprescription drugs you are taking. Certain drugs that may decrease the effectiveness of the pill include: griseofulvin; many antibiotics (e.g., penicillins, macrolides, tetracyclines, sulfas, cephalosporins); chloramphenicol; many seizure medications (e.g., phenytoin, barbiturates, primidone, carbamazepine); dapsone; rifamycins (e.g., rifampin); modafinil; nevirapine; nelfinavir; ritonavir; St John's wort; troglitazone.

•  Also tell your doctor if you use:thyroid hormone drugs; certain benzodiazepines (e.g., diazepam, chlordiazepoxide); prednisone-like drugs; certain antidepressants (e.g., tricyclics); beta-blockers (e.g., metoprolol); "blood thinners" (anticoagulants such as warfarin); insulin. This product can affect the results of certain lab tests (e.g., thyroid). Inform all laboratory personnel that you use Ortho Tri-Cyclen.

•  Birth control pills may significantly intensify the effects of alcohol. Consult your doctor or pharmacist about this.

What should you do incase you miss a dose?
Incase you miss a dose, refer to the product package information for advice on missed doses. Missed dose advice differs and depends on the brand used, and the number of doses missed. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions.

What should be done incase of an overdose?
Contact your local poison control center or emergency room immediately, if you suspect an overdose. Symptoms of overdose may include nausea and vomiting. Females may experience vaginal bleeding.

How should you store Ortho Tri-Cyclen?
Ortho Tri-Cyclen should be stored at room temperature between 59 and 86 degrees F (between 15 and 30 degrees C) away from moisture and sunlight. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep it out of the reach of children.

Warning:
Smoking cigarettes while using ORTHO TRI-CYCLEN increases your chance of having heart problems. Do not smoke while using ORTHO TRI-CYCLEN. The risk of heart problems increases with age (in women greater than 35 years of age) and with frequent smoking (15 cigarettes per day or greater).

Consult your doctor or pharmacist. Use of ORTHO TRI-CYCLEN does not protect you or your partner against sexually transmitted diseases (e.g., HIV, gonorrhea).

Notes:

•  Do not share the medicine with someone for whom it is not prescribed.

•  If using this medicine for an extended period, obtain refills before your supply runs out.

•  Keep all appointments with your doctor and the laboratory.

•  You should have a complete physical examination, including blood pressure measurements, breast and pelvic examinations, and a PAP test (for vaginal cancer), at least once a year.

•  A manufacturer's fact sheet about Ortho Tri- Cyclen should be dispensed with each prescription. Read the information carefully. Ask your doctor or pharmacist any questions you may have.

IMPORTANT NOTE: The following information is intended to supplement, not substitute for, the expertise and judgment of your physician, pharmacist or other healthcare professional. Consult your healthcare professional before using this drug.

If you are near-sighted or wear contact lenses, you may develop vision problems. Also, your tolerance of the lenses may decrease. Contact your eye doctor if these problems occur.