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.
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Ortho Tri-Cyclen
(Birth Control - Oral)
Possible uses of this medication
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.
How to take this medication
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. Store
this medicine at room temperature, away from heat and
light. If you miss a dose of this medicine, 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 this medicine,
refer to the patient information that came with this
medicine. 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 pregannt,
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.
Drug Interactions
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 antifungals (e.g., itraconazole, ketoconazole),
mibefradil, rifamycins (e.g., rifampin) or high blood
pressure medicines.
Missed Dose
If you miss a dose, do not double the next dose. Instead,
skip the missed dose and resume your usual dosing schedule.
Storage
Store at room temperature away from light and moisture.
Keep this and all medications out of the reach of children.
Notes
DO NOT SHARE THIS MEDICINE with others for whom it was
not prescribed. DO NOT USE THIS MEDICINE for other health
conditions. KEEP THIS MEDICINE out of the reach of children.
IF USING THIS MEDICINE FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME,
obtain refills before your supply runs out.
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