Ortho Tri-Cyclen

Ortho Tri-Cyclen (ethinyl estradiol and norgestimate) contains a combination of female hormones that prevent ovulation (the release of an egg from an ovary). Ortho Tri-Cyclen 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.
Ortho Tri-Cyclen is used as contraception to prevent pregnancy. It is also used to treat severe acne.
Ortho Tri-Cyclen may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Important information
Ortho Tri-Cyclen can harm an unborn baby or cause birth defects. Do not use birth control pills if you are pregnant or if you have recently had a baby. You should not take Ortho Tri-Cyclen if you have coronary artery disease, severe heart valve disorder, uncontrolled high blood pressure, a history of stroke or blood clot, circulation problems, a hormone-related cancer such as breast or uterine cancer, unusual vaginal bleeding, liver disease or liver cancer, severe migraine headaches, or a history of jaundice caused by pregnancy or birth control pills.
You may need to use back-up birth control, such as condoms or a spermicide, when you first start using Ortho Tri-Cyclen. Follow your doctor's instructions.
Taking hormones can increase your risk of blood clots, stroke, or heart attack, especially if you smoke and are older than 35.
Some drugs can make Ortho Tri-Cyclen 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.

Precautions:
Avoid smoking cigarettes/using tobacco while using hormonal birth control pills due to increased risk of heart problems and stroke. The risk of heart diseases also aggravates with age (especially in women over 35 y.o.) and in those who smoker more than 15 cigarettes daily. Notify your doctor if you had in your history such conditions as: blood clotting, stroke, problems with circulation, a hormone-related cancer (breast or uterine cancer), unusual vaginal bleeding, liver malfunctions and diseases or malignant or benign liver tumors, jaundice caused by birth control pills. This drug cannot be used in pregnant women. Inform your surgeon if you are taking Ortho Tri-Cyclen as you may need to stop its intake.

Contraindications:
Ortho Tri-Cyclen is contraindicated in patients who have suffered with thrombophlebitis or thromboembolic disorders (including deep vein thrombophlebitis or thromboembolic in history), cerebral vascular or coronary artery disease, migraine, carcinoma of the breast, estrogendependent neoplasia, undiagnosed abnormal genital bleeding, jaundice caused by cholestasis or a prior pill use, acute or chronic hepatocellular disease with abnormal liver function, adenomas or carcinomas in the liver, or in patients who are pregnant or hypersensitive to Ortho Tri-Cyclen.

Side effect:
In case of allergic reaction caused by this medication (hives, swelling of face and tongue, rash) contact your doctor immediately. Other side effects may include nausea, vomiting, headache, stomach cramping/bloating, dizziness, vaginal discomfort/irritation, increased vaginal fluids, or breast tenderness/enlargement may occur. Acne may resolve or get worse. Vaginal bleeding between periods or irregular periods may occur, especially during the first months of treatment. This medication may rarely cause serious and in rare cases fatal problems from blood clots. If you noticed any of such symptoms stop taking Ortho Tri-Cyclen and seek for immediate medical attention.