Ortho Tri-Cyclen is a combined birth control pill containing female hormones ethinyl estradiol and norgestimate. These hormones prevent ovulation (ovulation). Ortho Tri-Cyclen also causes changes in cervical and uterine mucus, making it difficult for sperm to penetrate the uterus and to attach the fertilized egg to the uterus. Ortho Tri-Cyclen is used as a contraceptive to prevent pregnancy. Ortho Tri-Cyclen is also used to treat moderate common eels in women aged at least 15 years. This medicine should only be used to treat acne if the patient needs an oral contraceptive to control the birth rate.
Taking Ortho Tri-Cyclen may increase the risk of blood clots, stroke or heart attack. You are even more at risk if you have high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol levels or if you are overweight. Your risk of a stroke or blood clot is highest in your first year of taking birth control pills. Your risk is also high when you restart the birth control pills after not taking them for 4 weeks or longer. Smoking can significantly increase the risk of blood clots, strokes or heart attacks. Your risk increases with your age and the more you smoke. You should not take combination birth control pills if you smoke and are over 35 years old. Do not use Ortho Tri-Cyclen if you are pregnant. Stop using this medicine and tell your doctor immediately if you become pregnant or miss two consecutive menstrual cycles. If you have a newborn baby, wait at least 4 weeks before taking the birth control pills.
Do not use Ortho Tri-Cyclen if you are pregnant or have had a baby recently. You should not use Ortho Tri-Cyclen if you have one: Uncontrolled high blood pressure, heart disease, coronary heart disease, circulatory problems (especially with diabetes), undiagnosed vaginal bleeding, liver disease or liver cancer, severe migraine if you are also taking a certain medicine for hepatitis C, If you have a serious operation to perform, if you smoke and are over 35 years old, or if you have ever had a heart attack, a stroke, a blood clot, jaundice caused by pregnancy or birth control pills, or breast, uterine/cervical or vaginal cancer. Taking birth control pills can increase the risk of blood clots, strokes or heart attacks. Smoking can significantly increase the risk of blood clots, strokes or heart attacks. You should not take Ortho Tri-Cyclen if you smoke and are over 35 years old.
You will take your first pill on the first day of your period or on the first Sunday after the beginning of your period. You may need to use backup contraceptives, such as spermicidal condoms, when you first start using Ortho Tri-Cyclen. Follow your doctor's instructions. Take one tablet every day at intervals of no more than 24 hours. When the pills run out, start a new package the next day. You can get pregnant if you do not take one pill a day. Ortho Tri-Cyclen packages contain seven dark green "reminders" to keep you on a regular cycle. Your period usually begins when you use these pills to remind you. You may have a breakthrough bleeding, especially during the first 3 months. Tell your doctor if this bleeding continues or is very severe. Use backup birth control if you have severe vomiting or diarrhea. If you need a serious surgery with a long bed rest, you may need to stop using the medicine for a short time. Any doctor or surgeon who treats you should know that you are using Ortho Tri-Cyclen. When you take an Ortho Tri-Cyclen, you should see your doctor regularly. Store this medicine at room temperature from moisture and heat.
If you missed 1 active tablet, take 2 tablets per day as you remember. Then take 1 tablet per day for the rest of the package. If you miss 2 active pills in a row for a week 1 or 2, take 2 pills a day for 2 consecutive days. Then take 1 pill a day for the rest of the package. Use birth control for at least 7 days after the missed pills. If you missed 2 active pills in a row in the 3rd week, discard the package and start a new one on the same day if you start day 1. If you start on Sunday, keep taking the pills every day until Sunday. Throw out the rest of the bag on Sunday and start a new bag on that day. If you missed 3 active pills in a row on week 1, 2 or 3, discard the package and start a new one on the same day if you start day 1. If you start on Sunday, continue taking the pills every day until Sunday. Throw out the rest of the bag on Sunday and start a new bag on that day. If you miss 2 or more pills, you may not have a period of one month. If you miss the period for 2 consecutive months, call your doctor because you may be pregnant. If you miss the reminder pill, throw it away and continue to take one reminder pill a day until the package is empty. Other drugs interact with ethinyl estradiol and norgestimate, including prescription and over-the-counter drugs, vitamins and plant products. Some drugs can make birth control pills less effective, which can lead to pregnancy. Tell your doctor about all of your current medications and any medications you start or stop using.