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: Triphasil 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 Triphasil does not protect you or your
partner against sexually transmitted diseases (e.g., HIV, gonorrhea).
HOW TO USE:
- Take Triphasil exactly as directed by your doctor. If you do not understand these directions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explain them to you.
- Take the first pill in a package on the first Sunday after your period begins (unless otherwise directed by your doctor).
- Take one pill every day, no more than 24 hours after your last dose. Try to take the pills at a time that you will remember every day--for example just before bed, with a meal, or first thing in the morning.
- Taking your pill at night may help to reduce any nausea or headache that you may experience because of the hormones.
- If you are on a 28-day cycle, take one pill every day. When the pack runs out, throw it away. Begin a new pack the following day. The 28-day cycle contains seven pills that are either placebos (with no active ingredients) or iron supplements. These are "reminder" pills to keep you on your regular cycle. They are taken while you are menstruating.
- If you are on a 21-day cycle, take one pill every day for 21 days, then do not take any pills for 7 days. You should have your period during the 7 days with no pills. Resume your pills on the 8th day with a new package.
- Follow your doctor's instructions about using a second form of birth control when you first start taking Triphasil, when you are taking antibiotics, or if you miss a pill. If you are unsure what to do in any of these cases, talk to your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor about how to ensure that you will not become pregnant.
- Store Triphasil at room temperature away from moisture and heat.
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 Triphasil, 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. Triphasil
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 of Triphasil 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 of Triphasil 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.
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