TRIPHASIL DRUG INFO
IMPORTANT NOTE: The following information is intended to
supplement, not substitute for, the expertise and judgment of your
physician, pharmacist or other healthcare professional. It should
not be construed to indicate that use of the drug is safe, appropriate,
or effective for you. Consult your healthcare professional before
using this drug.
ORAL CONTRACEPTIVES
COMMON BRAND NAME(S): Brevicon, Demulen, Lo/Ovral, Loestrin,
Modicon, Nordette, Norinyl, Ortho-Novum, Ovcon, Ovral, Tri-Phasil
WARNING: Smoking cigarettes while using this medication
increases your chance of having heart problems. Do not smoke while
using this medication. The risk of heart problems increases with
age (in women greater than 35 years of age) and with frequent smoking
(15 cigarettes per day or greater).
USES: This medication 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 this medication does not protect you or your partner against
sexually transmitted diseases (e.g., HIV, gonorrhea).
HOW TO USE: Take this medication with food or immediately
after a meal to prevent stomach upset. Try to take this medication
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 this medication 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: This medication 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.
PRECAUTIONS: Before you take this medication, 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 (yellowing skin/eyes)
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 (melasma). Higher strengths are more likely to cause melasma.
Sunlight may intensify this darkening and you may need to avoid
prolonged sun exposure and sunlamps. Consult your doctor regarding
use of sunscreens and protective clothing. It may take a long time
for you to become pregnant after you stop taking birth control
pills. 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. Cigarette smoking (especially 15 or more cigarettes
daily) and age (women older than 35/smokers or 40/nonsmokers years
of age) further increase the risk of stroke, blood clots, high
blood pressure and heart attacks. Ask your pharmacist or doctor
for a copy of the patient labeling which explains these risks in
more detail. Consult your doctor for any questions, including possible
use in nonsmokers over 40 years of age. If you are near-sighted
or wear contact lenses, you may develop vision problems. Also,
your tolerance of the lenses may decrease. Contact your eye doctor
if these problems occur. Before having surgery, including dental
surgery, tell the doctor that you take birth control pills. This
drug must not be used during pregnancy. If you become pregnant
or think you may be pregnant, inform your doctor immediately. This
medication passes into breast milk. This may affect milk production
and may have harmful effects on a nursing infant. Consult your
doctor before breast-feeding.
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 (e.g., diazepam, chlordiazepoxide),
prednisone-like drugs, certain antidepressants (e.g., tricyclics),
beta-blockers (e.g., metoprolol),
"blood thinners" (anticoagulants such as warfarin), insulin.
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.
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.
NOTES: Do not allow anyone else to take this medication.
Keep all appointments with your doctor and the laboratory. You
should have a complete physical examination, including blood pressure
measurements, breast and pelvic examinations, and a PAP test (for
vaginal cancer), at least once a year. Follow your doctor's instructions
for examining your own breasts, and report any lumps immediately.
A manufacturer's fact sheet about this drug should be dispensed
with each prescription. Read the information carefully. Ask your
doctor or pharmacist any questions you may have.
MISSED DOSE: Missed dose advice differs and depends on the
brand used, and the number of doses missed. Refer to the product
package information for advice on missed doses. Ask your doctor
or pharmacist if you have any questions.
STORAGE: Store at room temperature between 59 and 86 degrees
F (between 15 and 30 degrees C) away from moisture and sunlight.
Do not store in the bathroom. |
