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What side effects can this medication cause?
Ortho tricyclen may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:
-
- upset stomach
- vomiting
- stomach cramps or bloating
- dia
rrhea
- constipation
- gingivitis (swelling of the gum tissue)
- weight gain or weight loss
- brown or black skin patches
- acne
- swelling of the hands, feet, or lower l
egs (fluid retention)
- hair growth in unusual places
- bleeding or spotting between menstrual periods
- changes in menstrual flow
- painful or missed periods
- breast tendern
ess, enlargement, or discharge
- difficulty wearing contact lenses
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Precautions while Using this Medicine
Some people who take Ortho tricyclen may become more sensitive to sunlight than they are normally. When you begin taking this medicine, avoid too much sun and do not use a sunlamp until you see how yo
u react to the sun, especially if you tend to burn easily. If you have a severe reaction, check with your doctor. Some people may develop brown, blotchy spots on exposed areas. These spots usually dis
appear gradually when the medicine is stopped.
If you suspect that you may have become pregnant, stop taking this medicine immediately and check with your doctor.
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Other medical problems
Breast disease (not involving cancer)¡XOrtho tricyclen usually protect against certain breast diseases, such as breast cysts or breast lumps; however, your doctor may want to follow your condition mor
closely
- Cancer, including breast cancer (or history of or family history of)¡XOrtho tricyclen may worsen some cancers, especially when breast, cervical, or uterine cancers already exist. Use o
Ortho tricyclen is not recommended if you have any of these conditions. If you have a family history of breast disease, Ortho tricyclen may still be a good choice but you may need to be tested more o
ften
- Chorea gravidarum or
- Gallbladder disease or gallstones (or history of) or
- High blood cholesterol or
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How should this medicine be used?
If you miss doses of your oral contraceptive, you may be at risk for becoming pregnant. Instructions about missed doses are different for different products. Carefully read the instructions in the man
ufacturer's information for the patient. If you have any questions, call your doctor or pharmacist. If you miss pills, you may need to use a backup method of birth control for 7 days or until the end
of the cycle.
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What special precautions should I follow?
- tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to estrogen, progestin, or any other medications.
- tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications, vitami
ns, and nutritional supplements you are taking.
- tell your doctor what herbal products you are taking, especially St. John's wort.
- tell your doctor if you have or have ever had breast lump
s or cancer;
- do not take Ortho tricyclen if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding. If you become pregnant while taking Ortho tricyclen, call your doctor immediately. <
br> - if you are having surgery, including dental surgery, tell the doctor or dentist that you are taking Ortho tricyclen.
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Attention
Once a medicine has been approved for marketing for a certain use, experience may show that it is also useful for other medical problems. Although these uses are not included in product labeling, Orth
o tricyclen are used in certain patients with the following medical conditions:
- Amenorrhea (stopping of menses for several consecutive months)
- Dysfunctional uterine bleeding (abnorm
al uterine bleeding)
- Dysmenorrhea (painful menstrual bleeding)
- Hypermenorrhea (excessive menstrual bleeding)
- Emergency contraception within 72 hours of unprotected intercourse
- Endometriosis
- Hirsutism in females
- Hyperandrogenism, ovarian
- Polycystic ovary syndrome
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