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.