Tri Cyclen

21-day pack: Take one tablet daily for 21 days, then take no pills for 7 days.

28-day pack: Take one tablet daily for 21 days, then one "reminder" pill daily for 7 days.

See the package insert for information on when to start and what to do if you forget to take a pill.

Talk with your doctor about the best time to start your pills. The first day of your menstrual period (bleeding) is known as "Day 1." Your doctor may have you start your pills on the first Sunday after your period starts or on Day 1 of your period. The pills should be taken approximately the same time every day.

It may be advisable to use a second method of birth control (e.g., latex condoms and spermicidal foam or gel) for the first 7 days of the first cycle of pill use.

Many women have spotting or light bleeding or may feel sick to their stomach during the first 3 months taking the pill. If you do feel sick, do not stop taking the pill. The problem will usually go away. If it does not go away, check with your doctor or clinic.

If you experience vomiting or Diarrhea, or if you take certain medications (such as antibiotics), your pills may not work as well. If your doctor prescribes other medications, ask your doctor or pharmacist whether these medications could reduce the effectiveness of your birth control pills. Until you can check with your doctor or clinic to make certain that these things will not reduce the effectiveness of your birth control pills, use a backup method, such as latex condoms and spermicidal foam or gel.

Many things can affect the dose of a medication that a person needs, such as body weight, other medical conditions, and other medications. If your doctor has recommended a dose different from the ones listed here, do not change the way that you are taking the medication without consulting your doctor.

It is very important to take this medication exactly as prescribed by your doctor. If you miss pills at any time, the risk of becoming pregnant increases.

If you miss one pill, take it as soon as you remember, and take the next pill at the usual time. This means that you might take two pills in one day.

If you miss 2 pills in a row during the first 2 weeks of your cycle, take two pills the day you remember and 2 pills the next day, then take one pill a day until you finish the pack. Use a second method of birth control if you have sex in the 7 days after you miss the pills.

If you miss 2 pills in a row during the third week of your cycle or 3 or more pills in a row anytime in your cycle and you start your pills on Sunday, keep taking one pill a day until Sunday. On Sunday, safely discard the rest of the pack and start a new pack that day. You may not have a period this month. If you miss 2 periods in a row, call your doctor or clinic.

If you miss 2 pills in a row during the third week of your cycle or 3 or more pills at any time during your cycle and you start your pills on Day 1, safely dispose of the rest of the pill pack and start a new pack that same day. Use another method of birth control if you have sex in the 7 days after you miss the pills. You may not have a period this month. If you miss 2 periods in a row, call your doctor or clinic.

If you are not sure what to do after missing pills, contact your doctor or pharmacist for advice.

Store Tri Cyclen at room temperature, protect it from light and moisture, and keep it out of the reach of children.

Do not dispose of medications in wastewater (e.g. down the sink or in the toilet) or in household garbage. Ask your pharmacist how to dispose of medications that are no longer needed or have expired.

In addition to its desired action, this medication may cause some adverse effects, notably: it may cause nausea or, rarely, vomiting; it could cause water retention and swelling; it may make your skin more sensitive to UV rays (e.g., sunlight, tanning lamps) - avoid exposure to UV rays as much as possible and protect yourself when out in the sun; it may cause your breasts to feel swollen and tender; it may affect your appetite. Each person may react differently to a treatment. If you think this medication may be causing adverse effects (including those described here, or others), talk to your health care professional. He or she can help you to determine whether or not the medication is the source of the problem.

Tri-Cyclen is no longer being manufactured for sale in Canada. For brands that may still be available, search under norgestimate – ethinyl estradiol. This article is being kept available for reference purposes only. If you are using Tri Cyclen, speak with your doctor or pharmacist for information about your treatment options.

Do not take norgestimate - ethinyl estradiol if you:

• are allergic to norgestimate, ethinyl estradiol, or any ingredients of the medication
• are over age 35 and smoke
• are going to be unable to move around for a lengthy period of time (e.g., after surgery)
• have or have had Thrombophlebitis or thromboembolic disorders (blood clotting problems)
• have a condition that increases the risk of blood clotting
• have or have had cerebrovascular disorders (e.g., Stroke)
• have had a Heart Attack or Coronary Artery Disease
• have or have had pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas) as a result of high triglycerides
• have liver disease
• have or have had benign or malignant liver tumours
• have, have had, or may have Breast Cancer
• have or may have a tumour dependent on estrogen
• have undiagnosed abnormal vaginal bleeding
• have eye damage resulting from blood vessel disease of the eye, such as a partial or complete loss of vision
• are or may be pregnant
• have heart valve disease
• have severe high blood pressure (blood pressure of 160/100 or higher)
• have Diabetes with blood vessel damage
• have jaundice (yellowing of the eyes or skin caused by liver problems or steroid use) or had jaundice during pregnancy
• have migraine Headaches with an aura
• have had or are going to have major surgery that increases the risk of blood clotting
• are taking ombitasvir-paritaprevir-ritonavir, with or without dasabuvir, for the treatment of Hepatitis C

There may be an interaction between norgestimate - ethinyl estradiol and any of the following:

• alpha-blockers (e.g., Alfuzosin, Doxazosin, Silodosin, Tamsulosin)
• ampicillin
• Anastrozole
• antipsychotics (e.g., Chlorpromazine, Clozapine, Haloperidol, olanzapine, Quetiapine, Risperidone)
• Apixaban
• Aprepitant
• argatroban
• ascorbic acid
• "azole" antifungals (e.g., itraconazole, ketoconazole, Voriconazole)
• barbiturates (e.g., butalbital, Phenobarbital)
• benzodiazepines (e.g., Clobazam, Diazepam, Lorazepam)
• beta-adrenergic blockers (e.g., Atenolol, Propranolol, Sotalol)
• black cohosh
• Bosentan
• calcium channel blockers (e.g., Amlodipine, Diltiazem, Nifedipine, Verapamil)
• Carbamazepine
• Celecoxib
• Cholestyramine
• clobazam
• Clonidine
• Cobicistat
• Colestipol
• Colesevelam
• conivaptan
• corticosteroids (e.g., Dexamethasone, Hydrocortisone, Prednisone)
• Cyclosporine
• dabigatran
• Dantrolene
• Deferasirox
• dehydroepiandrosterone
• diabetes medications (e.g., chlorpropamide, Glyburide, insulin, Metformin, Rosiglitazone)
• Disopyramide
• diuretics (water pills; e.g., Furosemide, Hydrochlorothiazide, triamterene)
• Dronedarone
• elvitegravir
• Enzalutamide
• other estrogens (e.g., conjugated estrogen, estradiol, ethinyl estradiol)
• Exemestane
• Exenatide
• Flibanserin
• Heparin
• hepatitis C antivirals (e.g., glecaprevir, ledipasvir, pibrentasvir, sofosbuvir)
• HIV non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NNRTIs; e.g., efavirenz, etravirine, nevirapine)
• HIV protease inhibitors (e.g., atazanavir, indinavir, ritonavir, saquinavir)
• Isotretinoin
• Lamotrigine
• Lenalidomide
• low-molecular-weight heparins (e.g., Dalteparin, Enoxaparin, Tinzaparin)
• lumacaftor and Ivacaftor
• macrolide antibiotics (e.g., clarithromycin, erythromycin)
• melatonin
• mifepristone
• Modafinil
• mycophenolate
• Nitrofurantoin
• Octreotide
• Omeprazole
• Oxcarbazepine
• penicillin
• Perampanel
• Phenytoin
• primidone
• other progestins (e.g., Dienogest, Levonorgestrel, medroxyprogesterone, Norethindrone)
• protein kinase inhibitors (e.g., Bosutinib, Dabrafenib, imatinib, Nilotinib)
• Prucalopride
• Rasagiline
• red clover
• rifabutin
• rifampin
• Rivaroxaban
• Ropinirole
• Rufinamide
• St. John's wort
• Sarilumab
• saw palmetto
• Selegiline
• soybean
• "statin" anti-cholesterol medications (e.g., Atorvastatin, Lovastatin, Simvastatin)
• Tamoxifen
• tetracyclines (e.g., Minocycline, Tetracycline)
• thalidomide
• theophyllines (e.g., Aminophylline, Oxtriphylline, Theophylline)
• Thyroid replacements (e.g., desiccated thyroid, Levothyroxine)
• Ticagrelor
• Ticlopidine
• Tizanidine
• Tocilizumab
• Topiramate
• Tranexamic acid
• Ulipristal
• Ursodiol
• valproate
• Warfarin

If you are taking any of these medications, speak with your doctor or pharmacist. Depending on your specific circumstances, your doctor may want you to:

• stop taking one of the medications,
• change one of the medications to another,
• change how you are taking one or both of the medications, or
• leave everything as is.

An interaction between two medications does not always mean that you must stop taking one of them. Speak to your doctor about how any drug interactions are being managed or should be managed.

Medications other than those listed above may interact with Tri Cyclen. Tell your doctor or prescriber about all prescription, over-the-counter (non-prescription), and herbal medications you are taking. Also tell them about any supplements you take. Since caffeine, alcohol, the Nicotine from cigarettes, or street drugs can affect the action of many medications, you should let your prescriber know if you use them.

Before you begin using a medication, be sure to inform your doctor of any medical conditions or Allergies you may have, any medications you are taking, whether you are pregnant or breast-feeding, and any other significant facts about your health. These factors may affect how you should use Tri Cyclen.

Blood Clots: Tri Cyclen may increase the chance of blood clot formation, causing reduction of blood flow to organs or the extremities. If you have a history of clotting you may be at increased risk of experiencing blood-clot-related problems such as heart attack, stroke, or clots in the deep veins of your leg. Discuss with your doctor how Tri Cyclen may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of Tri Cyclen, and whether any special monitoring is needed.

If you experience symptoms such as sharp pain and swelling in the leg, difficulty breathing, chest pain, blurred vision or difficulty speaking, contact your doctor immediately.

Blood pressure: You should not take Tri Cyclen if you have high blood pressure that is not controlled by medication. If you have high blood pressure, discuss with your doctor how Tri Cyclen may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of Tri Cyclen, and whether any special monitoring is needed.

Breast cancer: Increasing age and a strong family history are the most significant risk factors for the development of breast cancer. Other established risk factors include Obesity, not having had children, and a late age at first full-term pregnancy. The identified groups of women that may be at increased risk of developing breast cancer before Menopause are women who have used birth control pills for more than 8 years or who started using them at an early age. For a few women, the use of birth control pills may accelerate the growth of an existing but undiagnosed breast cancer.

If you are taking birth control pills, learn how to perform a breast self-examination. Notify your doctor any time you detect a lump. A yearly clinical breast examination is also recommended because, if breast cancer develops, medications that contain estrogen may cause a rapid progression.

Cholesterol: For a small number of women, norgestimate – ethinyl estradiol can cause increased blood cholesterol levels. If you are at risk of developing High Cholesterol or you have high cholesterol levels before starting Olanzapine, discuss with your doctor how Tri Cyclen may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of Tri Cyclen, and whether any special monitoring is needed.

Depression: Hormones, such as estrogen, have been known to cause mood swings and symptoms of depression. If you have had clinical depression in the past, you may be more likely to experience it again while taking Tri Cyclen. Discuss with your doctor how Tri Cyclen may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of Tri Cyclen, and whether any special monitoring is needed.

If you experience symptoms of depression such as poor concentration, changes in weight, changes in sleep, decreased interest in activities, or notice them in a family member who is taking Tri Cyclen, contact your doctor as soon as possible.

Diabetes: Current low-dose birth control pills affect glucose control very little. If you have diabetes or a family history of diabetes, monitor your blood glucose closely to detect any worsening of blood sugar control after starting birth control pills.

Eyes: Women who are pregnant or who take birth control pills may experience fluid build-up in the cornea of the eye, which may cause visual disturbances and changes in tolerance to contact lenses, especially rigid contact lenses. Wearers of soft contact lenses usually do not experience difficulties. If you experience visual changes or alterations in tolerance to contact lenses, you may need to stop wearing the lenses temporarily or permanently.

Fibroids: If you have fibroids (leiomyomata), your doctor should closely monitor your condition. If sudden enlargement, pain, or tenderness occurs, contact your doctor to see if you need to stop taking the medication.

Gall bladder disease: Tri Cyclen may increase the risk of developing gall bladder disease requiring surgery, particularly in the first year of taking Tri Cyclen. If you experience symptoms of gall bladder problems, such as heartburn and bloating, nausea, vomiting, fever, sharp pain in the abdomen, or yellowing of the eyes and skin, contact your doctor as soon as possible.

Heart disease: Cigarette smoking increases the risk of serious heart disease and death. Taking birth control pills increases this risk, especially with increasing age. Studies show evidence that women who smoke and are over 35 years old should not use birth control pills.

Other women who have a high risk for heart disease include those with diabetes, high blood pressure, or abnormal cholesterol levels, or those with a family history of these conditions. Taking birth control pills also appears to increase the risk of heart disease for women with these conditions.

For low-risk, non-smoking women of any age, the benefits of birth control pill use outweigh the possible cardiovascular risks of low-dose pills.

Migraine and headache: Tri Cyclen may cause an increase in migraine headache frequency or cause migraines to develop. If you begin to experience severe headaches or an increase in the number of headaches that occur, contact your doctor.

Other cancers: There is some evidence that long-term use of oral contraceptives may increase the risk of cervical cancer or liver cancer. There is some debate about how significant this risk is. If you have concerns, discuss this with your doctor.

Regular check-ups: You should have a yearly physical examination and follow-up visit with your doctor.

Return to fertility: After stopping birth control therapy, you should wait for at least one normal menstrual cycle has occurred before attempting to become pregnant. This allows for the pregnancy to be accurately dated. An alternative birth control method (e.g., condoms) should be used during this time.

If you do not menstruate for 6 months or more after stopping birth control pills, notify your doctor.

Sexually transmitted infections: Birth control pills do not protect against sexually transmitted diseases, including HIV/AIDS. For protection against these, use latex condoms.

Stroke: Tri Cyclen increases the risk of a stroke or "mini-strokes" occurring. If you experience signs of a stroke or mini-stroke, such as confusion, difficulty speaking, loss of coordination, sudden headache or vision changes, contact your doctor as soon as possible.

Surgery: If you are having planned surgery, let your medical team know you are taking Tri Cyclen. Certain surgeries may increase the risk of blood clots that are associated with Tri Cyclen, and may require temporarily stopping the medication.

Pregnancy: Tri Cyclen should not be taken during pregnancy. If you become pregnant while taking Tri Cyclen, contact your doctor immediately.

Breast-feeding: The use of birth control pills while breast-feeding is not recommended. The hormones in the medication pass into breast milk and may reduce its quantity and quality. The long-term effects on the developing child are not known.

To ensure effectiveness, this medication should be taken at the same time each day. It may be taken with or without food.<br/><br/>Birth control pills are dispensed in specific packaging. It is important to follow the sequence of tablets. Always start a new pack at the set date.<br/><br/>If you forget a pill, take it as soon as you remember and then continue to take one pill every day as usual. If you are more than 24 hours late in taking your pill, contact your pharmacist. This medication is typically used only once a day. However, your pharmacist may have suggested a different schedule that is more appropriate for you. Take it regularly and continuously to maintain its beneficial effects.