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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. Follow the directions for using this drug 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 this medicine .
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.
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.
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
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 of Ortho Tri-Cyclen, do
not double the next dose. Instead, skip the missed dose
and resume your usual dosing schedule.
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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