Ortho Tri-Cyclen Lo (Ethinyl Estradiol / Norgestimate)

Description

Ortho Tri-Cyclen Lo tablets for oral administration contain progestin (norgestimate) and estrogen (ethinyl estradiol) for pregnancy prevention in women who want to use oral contraceptives for contraception.

Ortho Tri-Cyclen Lo is supplied as 28-day regimens.

The Ortho Tri-Cyclen Lo generic name is norgestimate/ethinyl estradiol.

Directions

Ortho Tri-Cyclen Lo should be taken as your doctor has prescribed. The leaflet that comes with your prescription should be read. Any questions or concerns may be referred to your doctor or pharmacist.

An appropriate regimen for you will be determined by your doctor.

Ingredients

The active ingredients in Ortho Tri-Cyclen Lo are norgestimate and ethinyl estradiol.

The following inactive ingredients are contained in each white tablet (0.180 mg norgestimate/0.025 mg ethinyl estradiol): lactose, magnesium stearate, croscarmellose sodium, microcrystalline cellulose, carnauba wax, hypromellose, polyethylene glycol, titanium dioxide, and purified water

The following inactive ingredients are contained in each light blue tablet (0.215 mg norgestimate/0.025 mg ethinyl estradiol): FD & C Blue No. 2 Aluminum Lake, lactose, magnesium stearate, croscarmellose sodium, microcrystalline cellulose, carnauba wax, hypromellose, polyethylene glycol, tita­nium dioxide, and purified water

The following inactive ingredients are contained in each dark blue tablet (0.250 mg norgestimate/0.025 mg ethinyl estradiol): FD & C Blue No. 2 Aluminum Lake, lactose, magnesium stearate, croscarmellose sodium, microcrystalline cellulose, polysorbate 80, carnauba wax, hypromellose, polyeth­ylene glycol, titanium dioxide, and purified water

The following inert ingredients are contained in each dark green tablet: FD & C Blue No. 2 Aluminum Lake, lactose, magnesium stearate, pregelatinized starch, ferric oxide, hypromellose, polyethylene glycol, titanium dioxide, talc and purified water

Contraindications

Women who have the following should not take Ortho Tri-Cyclen Lo:

• Blood clots or blood clotting problems
• A history of blood clots or blood clotting problems
• Cerebral vascular or coronary artery disease
• Valvular heart disease with complications
• High blood pressure that is severe
• Vascular-involved diabetes
• Headaches causing focal neurological symptoms
• Surgery requiring immobilization for a long period of time
• Active, suspected, or a history of breast cancer
• Endometrial cancer or other cancer that is dependent upon estrogen
• Undiagnosed abnormal vaginal bleeding
• Cholestatic jaundice of pregnancy or jaundice before using Ortho Tri-Cyclen Lo
• Liver cancer or tumors
• Currently pregnant or suspected pregnancy
• An allergy to any of the ingredients in the medication

Cautions

• Ortho Tri-Cyclen Lo has the following Boxed Warning:
• Cigarette smoking while taking oral contraceptives increases the risk of serious cardiovascular side effects. The risk increases with age, and with smoking 15 cigarettes or more per day, especially in women older than 35 years. Smoking is not recommended in women who take oral contraceptives
• Before you begin a treatment regimen with Ortho Tri-Cyclen Lo, discuss the following with your doctor:
• All the prescription and nonprescription medications you take
• Your allergies
• Your current health conditions
• Your past medical history
• Your pregnancy or breastfeeding status
• The risk of heart attack can be increased by use of oral contraceptives, especially in women who smoke or have high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, or are obese.
• The risk of blood clots, blood clotting disorders, stroke, and vascular disease may be increased by use of oral contraceptives.
• The risk of breast cancer and cervical cancer may be increased by use of oral contraceptives.
• The risk of liver tumors, vision problems, vision loss, and gallbladder surgery may be increased by use of oral contraceptives.
• Decreased glucose tolerance can occur with oral contraceptive use.
• Blood pressure can increase with oral contraceptive use, especially in older patients or patients who take the medication long term.
• Persistent or severe migraines and headaches can occur with oral contraceptive use.
• Breakthrough bleeding, spotting, or abnormal periods can occur with oral contraceptive use.
• Ectopic pregnancy and intrauterine pregnancy may occur in contraceptive failures.
• Triglycerides, a certain type of fat in the blood, can increase by taking oral contraceptives.
• If a patient develops jaundice, or yellowing of the skin or whites of the eyes, Ortho Tri-Cyclen Lo should be discontinued.
• Fluid retention can occur with oral contraceptive use.
• Ortho Tri-Cyclen Lo should be used with caution in women who have had depression. If serious depression occurs, the medication should be discontinued.
• Ortho Tri-Cyclen Lo can cause vision changes or difficulty wearing contact lenses.
• Ortho Tri-Cyclen Lo does not protect against HIV infection (AIDS) or other sexually transmitted diseases.

Side Effects

Ortho Tri-Cyclen Lo side effects include, but are not limited to, nausea, vomiting, bleeding between menstrual periods, weight gain, breast tenderness, and decreased contact lens tolerance. Inform your doctor of any worrisome or persistent side effects.

You can buy Ortho Tri-Cyclen Lo right here.

Reference

Ortho Tri-Cyclen Lo. Manati, Puerto Rico: Janssen Ortho, LLC; 2008.

About Dr. Savannah Muncy (Page Author)

Dr. Muncy (PharmD) studied science and education as an undergraduate before attending the Appalachian College of Pharmacy where she completed her PharmD in three years. She is currently using her pharmacy and healthcare expertise to write medical content for clients all around the world. She is focused on delivering the most current, accurate, and engaging information to healthcare professionals and patients. Read More....