Proper Use

Drug information provided by: Merative, Micromedex®

It is very important that you use this medicine exactly as directed by your doctor. Do not use more of it, do not use it more often, and do not use it for a longer time than your doctor ordered.

To make using oral contraceptives as safe and reliable as possible, you should understand how and when to take them and what effects may be expected.

This medicine comes with patient instructions. Read and follow these instructions carefully. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions.

This medicine is available in blister packs with a Dialpak® tablet dispenser or a Veridate® tablet dispenser. Each blister pack contains 28 tablets with different colors that need to be taken in the same order as directed on the blister pack.

When you begin using this medicine, your body will require at least 7 days to adjust before a pregnancy will be prevented. Use a second form of contraception (eg, condom, spermicide, or diaphragm) for the first 7 days of your first cycle of pills.

Take this medicine at the same time each day with or without food. Birth control pills work best when no more than 24 hours pass between doses.

Do not skip or delay taking your pill by more than 24 hours. If you miss a dose, you could get pregnant. Ask your doctor for ways to help you remember to take your pills or about using another method of birth control.

You may feel sick or nauseated, especially during the first few months that you take this medicine. If your nausea is continuous and does not go away, call your doctor.

You may have light bleeding or spotting when you first take the pill.

Follow the instructions in the patient leaflet or call your doctor if you vomit or have diarrhea within 3 to 4 hours of taking this medicine.

Dosing

The dose of this medicine will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of this medicine. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.

The amount of medicine that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are using the medicine.

Your doctor may ask you to begin your dose on the first day of your menstrual period (called Day 1 start) or on the first Sunday after your menstrual period starts (called Sunday start). When you begin on a certain day it is important that you follow that schedule, even if you miss a dose. Do not change your schedule on your own. If the schedule that you use is not convenient, talk with your doctor about changing it. For a Sunday start, you need to use another form of birth control (eg, condom, diaphragm, spermicide) for the first 7 days.

You should begin your next and all subsequent 28-day regimens of therapy on the same day of the week as the first regimen began and follow the same schedule.

Do not eat grapefruit or drink grapefruit juice while you are using this medicine. Grapefruit and grapefruit juice may change the amount of this medicine that is absorbed in the body.

  • For oral dosage form (tablets):
    • For contraception (to prevent pregnancy):
      • Adults and teenagers—
        • Ortho-Cyclen®: One blue tablet (active) taken at the same time each day for 21 consecutive days followed by one dark green (inert) tablet daily for 7 days per menstrual cycle.
        • Ortho Tri-Cyclen®: One white, light blue, or blue tablet (active) taken at the same time each day for 21 consecutive days followed by one dark green (inert) tablet daily for 7 days per menstrual cycle.
        • Ortho Tri-Cyclen® Lo: One white, light blue, or dark blue tablet (active) taken at the same time each day for 21 consecutive days followed by one dark green (inert) tablet daily for 7 days per menstrual cycle.
      • Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
    • For acne:
      • Adults and teenagers 15 years of age and older—One white, light blue, or blue tablet (active) taken at the same time each day for 21 consecutive days followed by one dark green (inert) tablet daily for 7 days per menstrual cycle.
      • Teenagers and children younger than 15 years of age—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.

Missed Dose

Call your doctor or pharmacist for instructions.

This medicine has specific patient instructions on what to do if you miss a dose. Read and follow these instructions carefully and call your doctor if you have any questions.

  • Ortho-cyclen®:
    • If you miss one blue tablet in Week 1, 2, or 3: Take the tablet as soon as possible and take the next tablet at your regular schedule. This means that you may take 2 pills in 1 day. Continue taking one tablet a day until you finish the pack. You do not need to use another form of birth control if you have sex.
    • If you miss two blue tablets in Week 1 or 2: Take the two tablets as soon as possible and the next two tablets the next day. Continue taking one tablet a day until you finish the pack. Use a second form of birth control (eg, condom, spermicide) for 7 days after you miss a dose.
    • If you miss two blue tablets in Week 3 or three or more blue tablets in Week 1, 2, or 3:
      • Day 1 start: Throw out the rest of the pack and start a new pack that same day. Use a second form of birth control (eg, condom, spermicide) for 7 days after you miss a dose, to prevent pregnancy.
      • Sunday start: Continue taking one tablet a day until Sunday, then throw out the rest of the pack and start a new pack that same day. Use a second form of birth control (eg, condom, spermicide) for 7 days after you miss a dose, to prevent pregnancy.
      • If you miss two periods in a row, call your doctor for a pregnancy test before you take any more pills.
  • Ortho tri-cyclen®:
    • If you miss one blue, light blue, or white tablet in Week 1, 2, or 3: Take the tablet as soon as possible and take the next tablet at your regular schedule. This means that you may take 2 pills in 1 day. Continue taking one tablet a day until you finish the pack. You do not need to use another form of birth control if you have sex.
    • If you miss two blue, light blue, or white tablets in Week 1 or 2: Take the two tablets as soon as possible and the next two tablets the next day. Continue taking one tablet a day until you finish the pack. Use a second form of birth control (eg, condom, spermicide) for 7 days after you miss a dose.
    • If you miss two blue, light blue, or white tablets in Week 3 or three or more blue, light blue, or white tablets in Week 1, 2, or 3:
      • Day 1 start: Throw out the rest of the pack and start a new pack that same day. Use a second form of birth control (eg, condom, spermicide) for 7 days after you miss a dose, to prevent pregnancy.
      • Sunday start: Continue taking one tablet a day until Sunday, then throw out the rest of the pack and start a new pack that same day. Use a second form of birth control (eg, condom, spermicide) for 7 days after you miss a dose, to prevent pregnancy.
      • If you miss two periods in a row, call your doctor for a pregnancy test before you take any more pills.

Make sure your doctor knows if you miss your period 2 months in a row, because this could mean that you are pregnant.

You may not have a period for that month if you miss more than one dose or change your schedule.

Storage

Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light. Keep from freezing.

Keep out of the reach of children.

Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.

Ask your healthcare professional how you should dispose of any medicine you do not use.

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