Ortho-Tricyclen LO Prescription Information
Ortho-Tricyclen LO contains a combination of female hormones, ethinyl estradiol and norgestimate, that prevent ovulation (the release of an egg from an ovary). This medication also causes changes in your cervical mucus and uterine lining, making it harder for sperm to reach the uterus and harder for a fertilized egg to attach to the uterus.
Ethinyl estradiol and norgestimate is used as contraception to prevent pregnancy. It is also used to treat severe acne.
Directions
Take this medication as prescribed by your doctor at the same time every day.
Started the medication on the first Sunday after you start your period or on the
first day of your period. If you miss a dose take it as soon as you remember and
then take the next pill at the regular time as usual. If you miss two doses in a
row, take two tablets for the next 2 days, then continue with your scheduled
doses. If you miss one or two doses another form of birth control is recommended
for the next 7-10 days. If more than 2 doses are missed contact a health care
professional. A complete check-up is required every six to twelve months. Use
another form of birth control for the first cycle while taking the medication.
Precautions
Smoking cigarettes/using tobacco while using hormonal birth control (pill/patch/ring) increases your risk of heart problems and stroke. Do not smoke. The risk of heart problems increases with age (especially in women over 35) and with frequent smoking (15 or more cigarettes a day).
Do not use this medication if you are pregnant or if you have recently had a baby.
Do not use this medication if you have any of the following conditions: a history of stroke or blood clot, circulation problems, a hormone-related cancer such as breast or uterine cancer, abnormal vaginal bleeding, liver disease or liver cancer, migraine headaches, or a history of jaundice caused by birth control pills.
You may need to use back-up birth control, such as condoms or a spermicide, when
you first start using this medication. Follow your doctor's instructions.
Some drugs can make birth control pills less effective, which may result in pregnancy. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use, including vitamins, minerals and herbal products. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor.
Side effects
Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Stop using this medication and call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects: sudden numbness or weakness, especially on one side of the body; sudden headache, confusion, problems with vision, speech, or balance; chest pain or heavy feeling, pain spreading to the arm or shoulder, nausea, sweating, general ill feeling; a change in the pattern or severity of migraine headaches; nausea, stomach pain, low fever, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes); swelling in your hands, ankles, or feet; or symptoms of depression (sleep problems, weakness, mood changes).
Less serious side effects may include: mild nausea, vomiting, bloating, stomach cramps; breast pain, tenderness, or swelling; freckles or darkening of facial skin; increased hair growth, loss of scalp hair; changes in weight or appetite; problems with contact lenses; vaginal itching or discharge; changes in your menstrual periods; or headache, nervousness, dizziness, tired feeling. This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur.
Drug interactions
Some drugs can make ethinyl estradiol and norgestimate less effective, which may result in pregnancy. Before using ethinyl estradiol and norgestimate, tell your doctor if you are using any of the following drugs:
phenylbutazone (Azolid, Butazolidin);
St. John's wort;
an antibiotic;
seizure medicines such as phenytoin (Dilantin), carbamazepine (Tegretol), oxcarbazepine (Trileptal), topiramate (Topamax), and others;
a barbiturate such as amobarbital (Amytal), butabarbital (Butisol), mephobarbital (Mebaral), secobarbital (Seconal), or phenobarbital (Luminal, Solfoton); or
HIV medicines such as amprenavir (Agenerase), atazanavir (Reyataz), indinavir (Crixivan), saquinavir (Invirase), fosamprenavir (Lexiva), ritonavir (Norvir), and others.
This list is not complete and there may be other drugs that can affect birth control pills. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor. |
Lowest Prices
