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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.
BEFORE
USING
Some medicines or medical conditions may interact
with this medicine. Inform your doctor or pharmacist
of all prescription and over-the-counter medicines
that you are taking. Do not take this medicine
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,
or if you are pregnant or breast-feeding. Use
of this medicine 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 this medicine.
DIRECTIONS
Follow the directions for using this medicine
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 it at the same time
every day, not more than 24 hours apart. Store
this medicine 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 this medicine,
refer to the patient information that came with
this medicine. If you have any questions, contact
your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist.
CAUTIONS
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, it may
not work as well. Taking certain antibiotics
or anticonvulsants while you are using this
medicine 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 this medicine will
not prevent the spread of sexually transmitted
diseases (STDs). Do not use this medicine 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 this medicine, check with your doctor
or pharmacist to discuss the risks to your baby.
ORTHO
TRI-CYCLEN SIDE EFFECTS
Side effects which 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 YOU
TAKE TOO MUCH
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.
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