Ortho Tri-Cyclen

Do NOT use Ortho Tri-Cyclen if:

• you are allergic to any ingredient in Ortho Tri-Cyclen
• you are pregnant
• you have a history of problems with the blood vessels in the brain or heart, heart valve problems, heart attack, uncontrolled high blood pressure, abnormal or undiagnosed vaginal bleeding, certain cancers (including breast cancer or endometrial cancer), serious liver problems, blood clots, or have had a stroke
• you are taking troleandomycin.

Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.

Some medical conditions may interact with Ortho Tri-Cyclen. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:

• if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant or are breast-feeding
• if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement
• if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances
• if you smoke cigarettes
• if you have cancer, diabetes, headaches or migraines, endometriosis, epilepsy, high cholesterol or triglyceride levels in the blood, high blood pressure, recent surgery, breast nodules or abnormal mammogram, depression, gallbladder or kidney disease, irregular menstrual periods, urinary tract bleeding, or obesity
• if you have heart problems, elevated calcium in the blood, yellowing of the skin or eyes, pancreatitis, or tumors in the uterus.

Some medicines may interact with Ortho Tri-Cyclen. Tell your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the following:

• Azole antifungals (eg, ketoconazole), aprepitant, bosentan, barbiturates (eg, phenobarbital), carbamazepine, felbamate, griseofulvin, HIV protease inhibitors (eg, ritonavir), hydantoins (eg, phenytoin), modafinil, nevirapine, penicillins, rifampin, St. John's wort, tetracyclines (eg, doxycycline), topiramate, or troglitazone because they may decrease Ortho Tri-Cyclen's effectiveness
• Beta-blockers (eg, metoprolol), corticosteroids (eg, hydrocortisone), cyclosporine, theophyllines, or troleandomycin because the risk of their side effects may be increased by Ortho Tri-Cyclen
• Lamotrigine because its effectiveness may be decreased by Ortho Tri-Cyclen.

This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if Ortho Tri-Cyclen may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.

Important safety information:

• Discontinuing Ortho Tri-Cyclen while taking lamotrigine may increase the blood levels of lamotrigine and lead to increased side effects such as nausea, dizziness, and visual disturbances.
• Ortho Tri-Cyclen may increase the risk of stroke, heart attack, blood clots, high blood pressure, or similar problems. The risk may be greater if you smoke.
• If you have vomiting or diarrhea for any reason, your medicine may not work as well.
• Tell your doctor or dentist that you take Ortho Tri-Cyclen before you receive any medical or dental care, emergency care, or surgery.
• If you wear contact lenses and you develop problems with them, contact your doctor.
• Ortho Tri-Cyclen may cause dark skin patches on your face. Avoid the sun, sunlamps, or tanning booths until you know how you react to Ortho Tri-Cyclen. Use a sunscreen or wear protective clothing if you must be outside for more than a short time.
• Use of Ortho Tri-Cyclen will not prevent the spread of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs).
• Taking certain antibiotics, anticonvulsants, and other medicines while you are using Ortho Tri-Cyclen may decrease the effectiveness of Ortho Tri-Cyclen. To prevent pregnancy, use an extra form of birth control (eg, condoms).
• Ortho Tri-Cyclen should not be used in children before menstruation has begun.
• Pregnancy and breast-feeding: Do not use Ortho Tri-Cyclen if you are pregnant. If you think you may be pregnant, contact your doctor right away. Ortho Tri-Cyclen is found in breast milk. If you are or will be breast-feeding while you use Ortho Tri-Cyclen, check with your doctor. Discuss any possible risks to your baby.

All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects.

Check with your doctor if any of these most common side effects persist or become bothersome:

Nausea; vomiting; weight change; bleeding between menstrual periods; breast tenderness.

Seek medical attention right away if any of these severe side effects occur:

Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); calf/leg pain or swelling; changes in vision; chest pain; difficulty wearing contact lenses; dizziness or fainting; headache or sudden severe headache; lumps in the breast; missed menstrual period; numbness of an arm or leg; one-sided weakness; persistent or recurrent abnormal vaginal bleeding; severe stomach pain; slurred speech; swelling of fingers or ankles; trouble breathing or shortness of breath; yellowing skin or eyes.

This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, contact your health care provider. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.