Ortho Tri-Cyclen
Ortho Tri-Cyclen is
an estrogen and progestin combination used to prevent pregnancy. Ortho
Tri-Cyclen may also be used to regulate the menstrual cycle, treat symptoms
of menopause, or treat other conditions as determined by your doctor.
Ortho Tri-Cyclen Directions
Follow the directions for using
Ortho
Tri-Cyclen provided by your doctor. Ortho Tri-Cyclen comes with a patient
information leaflet. Read it carefully. Ask your doctor, nurse, or
pharmacist any questions that you may have before using
Ortho Tri-Cyclen.
Try to take Ortho Tri-Cyclen at the same time every day, not more than 24
hours apart. Store Ortho Tri-Cyclen at room temperature, away from heat and
light. If you miss a dose of Ortho Tri-Cyclen , take it as soon as you
remember. Take your next dose at the regular time. This means you may take 2
doses on the same day. If you miss more than 1 dose of Ortho Tri-Cyclen,
refer to the patient information that came with this medicine. If you have
any questions, contact your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist.
Ortho Tri-Cyclen Side Effects
Side effects of Ortho Tri-Cyclen, 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.
Ortho Tri-Cyclen Precautions
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. If you have
vomiting or diarrhea for any reason, Ortho Tri-Cyclen may not work as well.
Taking certain antibiotics or anticonvulsants while you are using Ortho
Tri-Cyclen 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. 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). Do not use Ortho
Tri-Cyclen if you are pregnant. If you suspect that you could be pregnant,
contact your doctor immediately.
Ortho Tri-Cyclen is excreted in breast
milk. If you are or will be breast-feeding while you are using Ortho
Tri-Cyclen , check with your doctor or pharmacist to discuss the risks to
your baby.
Drug Interactions with Ortho
Tri-Cyclen Tell your doctor of all nonprescription and
prescription medication you may use, especially any nitrate medications
(e.g., nitroglycerin, isosorbide dinitrate), nitroprusside (any "nitric
oxide donor" medicines), cimetidine, erythromycin, azole antifungal (e.g.,
itraconazole, ketoconazole), mibefradil, rifamycins (e.g., rifampin) or high
blood pressure medicines.
Missed Dose of Ortho Tri-Cyclen
If you miss a dose of Ortho Tri-Cyclen, do not
double the next dose. Instead, skip the missed dose and resume your usual
dosing schedule.
Ortho Tri-Cyclen Notes
DO NOT SHARE ORTHO TRI-CYCLEN with others for
whom it was not prescribed. DO NOT USE ORTHO TRI-CYCLEN for other health
conditions. KEEP ORTHO TRI-CYCLEN out of the reach of children. IF USING
ORTHO TRI-CYCLEN FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME, obtain refills before your
supply runs out.
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July
13, 2008 - 
