Patient Information:
Ortho Tri-Cyclen is generically known as Ethinyl
Estradiol and
Norgestimate and used to stop ovulation in women to
prevent
pregnancy.
Ortho Tri-Cyclen is also used as a treatment of severe acne by
blocking
the production of the hormone suspected to cause skin disorders.
Directions of using Ortho Tri-Cyclen:
Ortho Tri-Cyclen is marketed as 28-pill pack, including
7 inactive
pills meant to remind the patient to maintain a regular cycle and used
during menstruation. Medication is dosed once a day, preferably at the
same time, to avoid missing a pill.
Missing a pill increases your risk of becoming pregnant.
In case you miss one active pill, take two pills on
the day that you
remember and continue to take one pill per day for the rest of the pack.
In case you miss two active pills in a row in week one or week
two,
take two pills per day for two days in a row and continue to take one
pill per day for the rest of the pack. Use back-up birth control for at
least 7 days following the missed pills.
In case you miss two active pills in a row in week three, or
three
pills in a row during any of the first 3 weeks, throw out the rest of
the pack and start a new one the same day if you are a Day 1 starter.
If you are a Sunday starter, keep taking a pill every day until Sunday.
On Sunday, throw out the rest of the pack and start a new one that day.
In case you miss two or more pills, you may not have a period during
the month. If you miss a period for two months in a row, call your
doctor because you might be pregnant.
If you miss any reminder pills, throw them away and keep taking one
pill per day until the pack is empty. You do not need back-up birth
control if you miss a reminder pill.
Contraindications to Ortho Tri-Cyclen:
Ortho Tri-Cyclen is contraindicated in patients
suffering from liver
deficiency, any type of hormone cancer, including uterine and breast
cancer, irregular vaginal bleedings, migraines, strokes, irregular
blood flow, and jaundice cause by contraceptives.
Special medical attention before prescribing Ortho Tri-Cyclen
is needed in patients
featuring several conditions such as diabetes, epilepsy, high blood
pressure, heart conditions, depression and anxiety, high cholesterol,
gallbladder deficiency, nodules, lumps, disordered mammogram, heart
attacks and others. Also contraindicated during Ortho Tri-Cyclen
treatment is smoking, especially in women over 35, as it may cause
serious heart problems.
Ortho Tri-Cyclen's Side Effects:
The medication may induce a range of adverse reactions.
Symptoms like
breast tenderness and swelling, menstrual changes, irascibility,
dizziness, nausea, fatigues, vaginal discomfort, weight and appetite
disorders and even freckles or skin coloration are considered mild and
common and may mean the body takes time to adjust to the medication.
However, if more serious reactions appear such as chest pain, fever,
depression, severe headaches, sudden weakness, vision and balance
disorders, jaundice, sweating and body swellings, patients may need to
cease the treatment.
Ortho Tri-Cyclen efficiency may be decreased by various other
medications. Therefore, patients should avoid the interaction between
Ortho Tri-Cyclen and Azolid, Butazolidin, barbiturates, HIV
medicines,
St. Johns wort and a series of antibiotics such as ampicillin,
doxycycline, amoxicillin, rifampin, tetracycline, griseofluvin,
penicillin and others.
Vitamins, minerals and herbal products may also
interfere with Ortho Tri-Cyclen’s action; this is why patients
should
keep their doctors informed on auxiliary medications while on Ortho
Tri-Cyclen.
Overdosing the product may induce vomiting, nausea or vaginal bleeding.