Order Yours Today | Ortho Tri-cyclenŽ is an estrogen and progestin combination 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.
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Common Brand Name(s)
Ortho Tri-Cyclen
Uses
This medicine is an estrogen and progestin combination
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.
How to Use
Follow the directions for using this medicine provided
by your doctor. This medicine comes with a patient
information leaflet. Read it carefully. Ask your
doctor, nurse, or pharmacist any questions that
you may have before using this medicine. Try to
take this medicine at the same time every day, not
more than 24 hours apart. If you have any questions,
contact your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist.
Side Effects
Side effects, that 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. 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. 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, nurse, or pharmacist.
Precautions
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. If you have vomiting
or diarrhea for any reason, your medicine may not
work as well. Taking certain antibiotics or anticonvulsants
while you are using this medicine may decrease the
effectiveness of this medicine. To prevent pregnancy,
use an additional form of birth control until your
next period. If you have any questions, contact
your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist. Before you have
any medical or dental treatments, emergency care,
or surgery, tell the doctor or dentist that you
are using this medicine. If you wear contact lenses
and you develop problems with them, contact your
doctor. Before you begin taking any new medicine,
either prescription or over-the-counter, check with
your doctor or pharmacist. This medicine 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
this medicine will not prevent the spread of sexually
transmitted diseases (STDs). Do not use this medicine
if you are pregnant. If you suspect that you could
be pregnant, contact your doctor immediately. This
medicine is excreted in breast milk. If you are
or will be breast-feeding while you are using this
medicine, check with your doctor or pharmacist to
discuss the risks to your baby. If overdose is suspected,
contact your local poison control center or emergency
room immediately. Symptoms of overdose may include
restlessness, tremor, rapid breathing, nausea, vomiting,
diarrhea, and stomach cramps.
Drug Interactions
Some medicines or medical conditions may interact
with this medicine. Inform your doctor or pharmacist
of all prescription and over-the-counter medicine
that you are taking. Do not take this medicine if
you are also taking nevirapine or rifampin. Additional
monitoring of your dose or condition may be needed
if you are taking barbiturates, carvedilol, corticosteroids,
felbamate, griseofulvin, HIV protease inhibitors,
modafinil, metoprolol, pioglitazone, penicillin
or tetracycline antibiotics, theophylline, topiramate,
troglitazone, troleandomycin, or medicine for seizures.
Inform your doctor of any other medical conditions,
allergies, pregnancy, or breast-feeding. Use of
this medicine is not recommended if you have a history
of cancer, heart or liver conditions, pulmonary
embolism, blood clots, stroke, cerebrovascular disease,
or smoking. Contact your doctor or pharmacist if
you have any questions or concerns about taking
this medicine.
