ORTHO TRI-CYCLEN 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.
Prescribed by U.S. doctors and dispensed by U.S. pharmacists.
Tablets
Chemical Name: NORGESTIMATE (nor-JES-ti-mate) and ETHINYL ESTRADIOL (ETH-in-il
ess-tra-DYE-ole)
Common uses
Ortho Tricyclen 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.
Before using
WARNING: Smoking cigarettes while using Ortho Tricyclen increases your chance
of having heart problems. Do not smoke while using Ortho Tricyclen. 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). Some medicines or medical
conditions may interact with Ortho Tricyclen. INFORM YOUR DOCTOR OR PHARMACIST of
all prescription and over-the-counter medicine that you are taking. DO NOT TAKE
Ortho Tricyclen 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 Ortho Tricyclen 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 Ortho Tricyclen.
Directions
Follow the directions for using Ortho Tricyclen provided by your doctor.
Ortho Tricyclen COMES with a patient information leaflet. Read it carefully. Ask
your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist any questions that you may have before using
Ortho Tricyclen. TRY TO TAKE Ortho Tricyclen at the same time every day, not more
than 24 hours apart. STORE Ortho Tricyclen at room temperature, away from heat and
light. IF YOU MISS A DOSE OF Ortho Tricyclen, 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 Tricyclen, refer to the patient information
that came with Ortho Tricyclen. If you have any questions, contact your doctor,
nurse, or pharmacist.
Cautions
SMOKING CIGARETTES while using Ortho Tricyclen 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 Ortho Tricyclen may decrease the effectiveness of Ortho Tricyclen. 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 Ortho Tricyclen. 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 Tricyclen 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 Tricyclen WILL
NOT PREVENT the spread of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). DO NOT USE Ortho Tricyclen if you are pregnant. IF YOU SUSPECT THAT YOU COULD BE PREGNANT, contact
your doctor immediately. Ortho Tricyclen IS EXCRETED IN BREAST MILK. IF YOU ARE
OR WILL BE BREAST-FEEDING while you are using Ortho Tricyclen, check with your doctor
or pharmacist to discuss the risks to your baby.
Possible 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 calf/leg pain or swelling, trouble breathing or shortness of
breath, chest pain, one-sided weakness, slurred speech, lumps in the breast, sudden
severe headache, sharp or crushing chest pain, sudden shortness of breath, yellowing
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.
Drug interactions
Drug interactions can result in unwanted side effects or prevent a medicine
from doing its job. Use our drug interaction checker to find out if your medicines
interact with each other.
If you take too much
If overdose is suspected, contact your local poison control center or emergency
room immediately. Symptoms of overdose may include nausea and vomiting. Females
may experience vaginal bleeding.
Additional information
DO NOT SHARE Ortho Tricyclen with others for whom it was not prescribed. DO NOT
USE Ortho Tricyclen for other health conditions. KEEP Ortho Tricyclen out of the reach
of children. IF USING Ortho Tricyclen FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME, obtain refills
before your supply runs out.
