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What is Ortho TriCyclen? |
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Drug Uses
Ortho TriCyclen is composed of estrogen and progestin, and is usually administered for contraception. The medication can also induce changes within a woman’s cervical mucus, making it much more difficult for sperm to get to the female uterus, and also harder for fertile egg to imbed itself to the uterine wall (due to a thinner uterine lining). It may also be administered for the regulation of the menstrual cycle, or to treat indications of menopause and other conditions diagnosed by a doctor.
How to Take Ortho TriCyclen
Ortho TriCyclen includes 28 pills per pack, with the first pill usually taken on the first day of your menstrual cycle; the remaining pills should be taken once a day, in strict succession. The pack also includes seven reminder tablets, for the purpose of keeping you within your normal cycle. Your menstrual period usually starts during use of these reminder tablets. It is best to use a back-up contraceptive method (like spermicides or condoms) upon initial use of the drug.
Drug Precautions
Missing the intake of a pill can increase the chances of contraception failure; this also applies if you begin to take the pills at the wrong point in your menstrual cycle. Do not take Ortho Tricyclen if you have conceived; it is known to cause severe birth defects in an unborn child. Inform your physician immediately if you get pregnant during treatment, or if you have skipped two successive menstrual cycles. In case you just gave birth, let a month pass by before you take the medication (one and a half months if you are nursing). The hormones contained in the drug can seep into breast milk and cause health risks to a breastfeeding child. It can also reduce breast milk production. Do not take it if you are breastfeeding.
Drug Interactions
Some medications may inhibit Ortho TriCyclen’s potency, including antibiotics, sezure drugs, barbiturates, phenylbutazone, HIV medicines, and St. John’s wort. Inform your doctor first before you take any of these drugs in combination with Ortho TriCyclen.
Side Effects
Stop taking Ortho TriCyclen if you start to experience the following conditions: inflammation on your hands and feet; body coordination and vision difficulties, accompanied by migraines and confusion; migraines with varying intensities; numbness or feebleness on one side of your body; and depression symptoms like sleep disorders, mood swings, and unexplained fatigue.
Missed Dose
Take a missed pill within the same day. If you skip it, take two pills at the next scheduled interval. If you skip two tablets in succession, take them at the same time as the next dose. There is an increased chance of ovulation at this point, and it is best to use a back-up method of contraception.
Overdose
There is no current health-threatening effect which has resulted from ingesting Ortho TriCyclen in excessive doses, but it can lead to vaginal bleeding, accompanied by nausea and vomiting.
Storage
Keep conditions for storing Ortho TriCyclen within standard room temperatures, away from extreme heat and moisture.
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