Ortho Tri-Cyclen is normally taken as prescribed by your doctor at the same time every day.
Ortho Tri-Cyclen should be started on the first Sunday after you start your period or on the first day of your period. I f 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.
Do not use more frequently than directed. Tobacco smoke increases the risk of getting a blood clot or having a stroke while taking
Ortho Tri-Cyclen. You are strongly advised not to smoke. Side effects are usually rare in women who are healthy and do not smoke while taking this medication. Many of the minor side effects may go away as your body adjusts to the medication. The following are serious side effects and require immediate medical attention. Seek emergency attention if you experience chest pain, coughing up blood, dizziness or fainting spells, leg, arm, or groin pain, severe or sudden headaches, severe stomach pain, sudden shortness of breath, sudden loss of coordination, swelling of hands, feet or ankles, or rapid weight gain, vision or speech problems, and weakness or numbness in the arm and legs, especially if on one side of the body. Other serious side effects that are rare and require contact with a medical professional include changes in vaginal bleeding during your period, headaches and migraines, increase in blood sugar, increases in blood pressure, tenderness in the upper abdomen, vomiting and yellowing of eyes or the skin. Side effects that do not usually require medical attention are breakthrough bleeding, spotting, breast enlargement, tenderness, unusual discharge or milk production, mild upset stomach, mood changes, increased appetite, increased sensitivity to sunlight, nausea, skin rash, acne, or brown spots, tiredness, or weight gain.
It is important that the doctor has your complete medical history. Consult with your doctor if you have an unusual allergy to aspirin, salicylates, other NSAIDS, foods, dyes, or preservatives, anemia, asthma, you are a cigarette smoker, diabetes, drink more than three alcoholic beverages a day, heart or circulation problems, high blood pressure, kidney disease, liver disease, nasal polyps, stomach or bleeding ulcers, taking blood thinners, pregnant or trying to become pregnant, or breast feeding.
Inform your doctor about all the medicines you use, this includes antibiotics, barbiturates, carbamezapine, caffeine, clofibrate, cyclosporine, dantrolene, grapefruit juice, hydrocortisone, medications for sleep (i.e. diazepam, temazepam), medications for mental depression, medicine for diabetes, mineral oil, modafinil, oxcarbaepine, phenytoin, prednisolone, medications used to treat HIV, selegline, soy isoflavones, st johns wart, tamoxifen, raloxifene, theophylline, topiramate, and warfarin.
