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TRIPHASIL
is an oral contraceptive. Oral contraceptives are commonly known
as 'the Pill'. TRIPHASIL pills contain two active ingredients
(levonorgestrel and ethinyloestradiol) that can stop you from
becoming pregnant if taken correctly. They are similar to hormones
your body normally produces. Enpresse is the generic version
of Wyeth's Triphasil(R) Tablets.
Directions
Take
Triphasil with food or immediately after a meal to prevent
stomach upset. Try to take Triphasil 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 Triphasil
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
Triphasil
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 Triphasil, 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, Triphasil 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. Triphasil must not be used during pregnancy.
If you become pregnant or think you may be pregnant, inform
your doctor immediately. Triphasil passes into breast milk.
This may affect milk production and ma 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. Triphasil can affect the results
of certain lab tests (e.g., thyroid). Inform all laboratory
personnel that you use Triphasil. 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.
Notes
Do not allow anyone else to take Triphasil.
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.
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