Drug Name

Ortho Tri-Cyclen (Ethinyl Estradiol/Norgestimate)

Drug Uses

This medication is a combination oral contraceptive containing the progestational compound norgestimate as well as the estrogenic compound ethinyl estradiol, as well as are indicated for the prevention of pregnancy in women who elect to take oral contraceptives as a method of contraception, a highly effective one for pregnancy prevention.

This medication as well as provides you with a abridged daily dose of hormones that halt pregnancy, while actually lowering the level of the hormone in your body that's likely to cause acne. In clinical tests, it has been clinically proven to help reduce mild to moderate acne nearly nine out of ten women saw improvements in their skin.

How Taken

Take Ortho Tri-Cyclen pills by mouth. Before you start using these pills decide what is a suitable time of day as well as always take them at the alike time of day as well as in the order directed. Swallow the pills with a drink of water. Take with food to reduce stomach upset. Do not take more often than directed.

Most products contain a 21-day supply of pills containing the active ingredients. Some products contain an additional 7 pills containing iron or inactive ingredients to be used during the week of menstruation; this reduces the chance of missing the earliest day of the next cycle. Most products are to be started on the earliest Sunday after you start your period or on the earliest day of your period. You may need to ask your health care provider which day you should start your packet.

Drug Class as well as Mechanism

Ortho Tri-Cyclen is an estrogen as well as progestin combination used to halt pregnancy. It may as well as be used to regulate the menstrual cycle, treat symptoms of menopause, or treat other conditions as determined by your doctor.

Missed Dose

Incase you miss one dose, take the dose as soon as you remember or take two pills at the time of your next regularly scheduled dose. There is little likelihood that ovulation will occur. You may, but, want to take a subordinate method of birth control such as a condom or a spermicidal cream, jelly, or foam for at least 7 consecutive days following the missed tablet to ensure protection from pregnancy. Incase you miss two tablets in a row, take the two missed tablets as soon as you remember or with your next regularly scheduled dose (three total). Or, you may take two tablets each for the next two regularly scheduled doses (one missed tablet plus one regularly scheduled tablet for 2 days in a row).

Chances are much greater that you may ovulate so you must take another form of birth control for at least 7 days following the missed tablets. It is even better to take a subordinate method of birth control until your next period. Incase you miss three tablets in a row, throw away the package as well as start a recent package on the 7th day after the final day you took a pill. Take another method of birth control until you possess used a pill for 7 days in a row. Your period should occur during the 7 days without pills. Incase it doesn't, possess a pregnancy test before beginning a recent package of pills.

Storage

Store Ortho Tri-Cyclen at room temperature, between 68 as well as 77 degrees F (20 as well as 25 degrees C). Store away from heat, moisture, as well as light. Keep Ortho Tri-Cyclen out of the reach of children as well as away from pets.

Warnings/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 as well as blood vessels. Incase you possess vomiting or diarrhea for any reason, your medicine may not work as well. Using confident antibiotics or anticonvulsants while you are using Ortho Tri-Cyclen may decrease the effectiveness of Ortho Tri-Cyclen. To halt pregnancy, take an additional form of birth control until your next period. Incase you possess any questions, contact your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist. Before you possess any health examination or dental treatments, emergency care, or surgery, tell the doctor or dentist that you are using Ortho Tri-Cyclen.

If you wear contact lenses as well as you develop problems with them, contact your doctor. Before you begin using any recent medicine, either prescription or over-the-counter, check with your doctor or pharmacist. Ortho Tri-Cyclen may cause not light skin patches on your face. Exposure to the sun may make these patches darker. Incase patches develop, take a sunscreen or protective clothing when exposed to the sun, sunlamps, or tanning booths. Take of Ortho Tri-Cyclen will not halt the spread of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). Do not take Ortho Tri-Cyclen incase you are pregnant. Incase you suspect that you could be pregnant, contact your doctor immediately. Ortho Tri-Cyclen is excreted in breast milk. Incase 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.

Likely Side Effects

Very bad side effects are relatively rare in women who are wholesome as well as do not smoke while they are using oral contraceptives. On average, more women possess problems due to complications from getting pregnant than possess problems with oral contraceptives. Many of the minor side effects may go away as your body adjusts to the medicine. But, the potential for very bad side effects does exist as well as you may want to discuss these with your health care provider.

The following symptoms or side effects may be related to blood clots as well as require immediate health examination or emergency help: chest pain, coughing up blood, dizziness or fainting spells, leg, arm or groin pain, very bad or unexpected headaches, stomach pain (severe), unexpected shortness of breath, unexpected loss of coordination, especially on one side of the body, swelling of the hands, feet or ankles, or rapid weight gain, vision or speech problems, weakness or numbness in the arms or legs, especially on one side of the body.

Other humorless side effects are rare. Contact your health care provider as soon as you can incase the following side effects occur: breast tissue changes or discharge, changes in vaginal bleeding during your period or between your periods, headaches or migraines, increases in blood sugar, especially incase you possess diabetes, increases in blood pressure, especially incase you are known to possess high blood pressure, symptoms of vaginal infection (itching, irritation or unusual discharge), tenderness in the upper abdomen, vomiting, yellowing of the eyes or skin.

Side effects that usually do not require health examination attention (report to your health care provider incase they continue or are bothersome): breakthrough bleeding as well as spotting that continues beyond the 3 initial cycles of pills, breast tenderness, mild stomach upset, mood changes, anxiety, depression, frustration, anger, or emotional outbursts, increased or decreased appetite, increased sensitivity to sun or ultraviolet light, nausea, skin rash, acne, or copper spots on the skin, tiredness, weight gain.

More Information

Ortho Tri-Cyclen is to be used only by the patient for whom it is prescribed. Do not share it with other people.
If your symptoms do not improve or incase they become worse, check with your doctor.