TriphasilŪ is an oral contraceptive (commonly
known as "the Pill") containing two active ingredients
(levonorgestrel and ethinyloestradiol) that are
similar to hormones that your body naturally produces.
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TriphasilŪ
Important Note
The following 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 use of the
drug is safe, appropriate, or effective for you. Consult
your healthcare professional before using this drug.
Warning
Smoking cigarettes while using this medication increases
your chance of having heart problems. Do not smoke while
using this medication. 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).
Uses
This medication is used to prevent pregnancy or to regulate
your menstrual cycle. Certain brands of birth control
pills may be used for treating acne or as a "morning
after" pill for emergency contraception. Consult your
doctor or pharmacist. Use of this medication does not
protect you or your partner against sexually transmitted
diseases (e.g., HIV, gonorrhea).
How to Use
Take this medication with food or immediately after
a meal to prevent stomach upset. Try to take this medication
at the same time each day. This may help you to remember
to take it. Learn proper use of your particular brand
of medication. Follow your dosing schedule carefully.
Be sure to ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have
any questions. Use a supplemental form of birth control
during the first week of taking this medication since
it takes a while to be effective. Follow your doctor's
directions exactly if this drug is being used as a "morning
after" pill.
Side Effects
This medication may cause dizziness, headache, lightheadedness,
stomach upset, bloating, or nausea. If these effects
persist or worsen, contact your doctor. Notify your
doctor if you experience: severe depression, groin or
calf pain, sudden severe headache, chest pain, shortness
of breath, lumps in the breast, weakness or tingling
in the arms or legs, yellowing of the eyes or skin.
If you notice other effects not listed above, contact
your doctor or pharmacist.
Precautions
Before you take this medication, tell your doctor your
entire medical history, including family medical history,
especially: asthma, high blood pressure, kidney disease,
liver heart disease, stroke, history of jaundice (yellowing
skin/eyes) or high blood pressure during pregnancy,
excessive weight gain or fluid retention during menstrual
cycle, blood clots, heart attack, seizures, migraine
headaches, breast cancer, high blood level of cholesterol
or lipids (fats), diabetes, depression. Depending on
strength, this drug may cause a patchy, darkening of
the skin on the face (melasma). Higher strengths are
more likely to cause melasma. Sunlight may intensify
this darkening and you may need to avoid prolonged sun
exposure and sunlamps. Consult your doctor regarding
use of sunscreens and protective clothing. It may take
a long time for you to become pregnant after you stop
taking birth control pills. Consult your doctor. Do
not smoke cigarettes. Birth-control pills slightly increase
your risk of strokes, blood clots, high blood pressure,
heart attacks, gallbladder disease, vision problems,
and liver tumors. Cigarette smoking (especially 15 or
more cigarettes daily) and age (women older than 35/smokers
or 40/nonsmokers years of age) further increase the
risk of stroke, blood clots, high blood pressure and
heart attacks. Ask your pharmacist or doctor for a copy
of the patient labeling which explains these risks in
more detail. Consult your doctor for any questions,
including possible use in nonsmokers over 40 years of
age. If you are near-sighted or wear contact lenses,
you may develop vision problems. Also, your tolerance
of the lenses may decrease. Contact your eye doctor
if these problems occur. Before having surgery, including
dental surgery, tell the doctor that you take birth
control pills. This drug must not be used during pregnancy.
If you become pregnant or think you may be pregnant,
inform your doctor immediately. This medication passes
into breast milk. This may affect milk production and
may have harmful effects on a nursing infant. Consult
your doctor before breast-feeding.
Drug Interactions
Tell your doctor what prescription and nonprescription
drugs you are taking. Drugs that may decrease the effectiveness
of the pill include: griseofulvin, many antibiotics
(e.g., penicillins, macrolides, tetracyclines, sulfas,
cephalosporins), chloramphenicol, many seizure medications
(e.g., phenytoin, barbiturates, primidone, carbamazepine),
dapsone, rifamycins (e.g., rifampin), modafinil, nevirapine,
nelfinavir, ritonavir, St John's wort, troglitazone.
Ask your doctor if you should use additional birth control
methods while taking any of the drugs mentioned above
while taking birth control pills. Also tell your doctor
if you use: thyroid hormone drugs, certain benzodiazepines
(e.g., diazepam, chlordiazepoxide), prednisone-like
drugs, certain antidepressants (e.g., tricyclics), beta-blockers
(e.g., metoprolol), "blood thinners" (anticoagulants
such as warfarin), insulin. This product can affect
the results of certain lab tests (e.g., thyroid). Inform
all laboratory personnel that you use this drug. Birth
control pills may significantly intensify the effects
of alcohol. Consult your doctor or pharmacist about
this. Do not start or stop any medicine without doctor
or pharmacist approval.
Overdose
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.
Notes
Do not allow anyone else to take this medication. Keep
all appointments with your doctor and the laboratory.
You should have a complete physical examination, including
blood pressure measurements, breast and pelvic examinations,
and a PAP test (for vaginal cancer), at least once a
year. Follow your doctor's instructions for examining
your own breasts, and report any lumps immediately.
A manufacturer's fact sheet about this drug should be
dispensed with each prescription. Read the information
carefully. Ask your doctor or pharmacist any questions
you may have.
Missed Dose
Missed dose advice differs and depends on the brand
used, and the number of doses missed. Refer to the product
package information for advice on missed doses. Ask
your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions.
Storage
Store at room temperature between 59 and 86 degrees
F (between 15 and 30 degrees C) away from moisture and
sunlight. Do not store in the bathroom.
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