Ortho Tri-Cyclen Directions For Use

Chemical Name: NORGESTIMATE (nor-JES-ti-mate) and ETHINYL ESTRADIOL (ETH-in-il ess-tra-DYE-ole)

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.

Some medicines or medical conditions may interact with Ortho Tri-Cyclen. Inform your doctor or pharmacist of all prescription and over-the-counter medicine that you are taking. Do not take Ortho Tri-Cyclen 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 Tri-Cyclen 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 Tri-Cyclen.

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 Ortho Tri-Cyclen.

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, your medicine may not work as well. Taking certain antibiotics or anticonvulsants while you are using Ortho Tri-Cyclen may decrease the effectiveness of Ortho Tri-Cyclen. To prevent pregnancy, use an additional form of birth control until your next period.

Before you have any medical or dental treatments, emergency care, or surgery, tell the doctor or dentist that you are using Ortho Tri-Cyclen. If you wear contact lenses and you develop problems with them, contact your doctor.

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.

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.

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.