USES: Ortho Tri-Cyclen is used to prevent pregnancy or to regulate your menstrual cycle. Certain brands of birth control pills may be used for treating acne or as a "morning after" pill for emergency contraception. Consult your doctor or pharmacist. Use of Ortho Tri-Cyclen does not protect you or your partner against sexually transmitted diseases (e.g., HIV, gonorrhea).

HOW TO USE: Take Ortho Tri-Cyclen with food or immediately after a meal to prevent stomach upset. Try to take Ortho Tri-Cyclen at the same time each day. This may help you to remember to take it. Learn proper use of your particular brand of medication. Follow your dosing schedule carefully. Be sure to ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions. Use a supplemental form of birth control during the first week of taking Ortho Tri-Cyclen since it takes a while to be effective. Follow your doctor's directions exactly if this drug is being used as a "morning after" pill.

SIDE EFFECTS: Ortho Tri-Cyclen may cause dizziness, headache, lightheadedness, stomach upset, bloating, or nausea. If these effects persist or worsen, contact your doctor. Notify your doctor if you experience: severe depression, groin or calf pain, sudden severe headache, chest pain, shortness of breath, lumps in the breast, weakness or tingling in the arms or legs, yellowing of the eyes or skin. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.

OVERDOSE: If overdose is suspected, contact your local poison control center or emergency room immediately. Symptoms of overdose may include nausea and vomiting. Females may experience vaginal bleeding.

PRECAUTIONS: Before you take Ortho Tri-Cyclen, tell your doctor your entire medical history, including family medical history, especially: asthma, high blood pressure, kidney disease, liver heart disease, stroke, history of jaundice or high blood pressure during pregnancy, excessive weight gain or fluid retention during menstrual cycle, blood clots, heart attack, seizures, migraine headaches, breast cancer, high blood level of cholesterol or lipids (fats), diabetes, depression. Depending on strength, this drug may cause a patchy, darkening of the skin on the face. Higher strengths are more likely to cause melasma. Consult your doctor. Do not smoke cigarettes. Birth-control pills slightly increase your risk of strokes, blood clots, high blood pressure, heart attacks, gallbladder disease, vision problems, and liver tumors.

DRUG INTERACTIONS: Tell your doctor what prescription and nonprescription drugs you are taking. Drugs that may decrease the effectiveness of the pill include: griseofulvin, many antibiotics (e.g., penicillins, macrolides, tetracyclines, sulfas, cephalosporins), chloramphenicol, many seizure medications (e.g., phenytoin, barbiturates, primidone, carbamazepine), dapsone, rifamycins (e.g., rifampin), modafinil, nevirapine, nelfinavir, ritonavir, St John's wort, troglitazone. Ask your doctor if you should use additional birth control methods while taking any of the drugs mentioned above while taking birth control pills. Also tell your doctor if you use: thyroid hormone drugs, certain benzodiazepines. This product can affect the results of certain lab tests (e.g., thyroid). Inform all laboratory personnel that you use this drug. Birth control pills may significantly intensify the effects of alcohol. Consult your doctor or pharmacist about this. Do not start or stop any medicine without doctor or pharmacist approval.