Ortho TriCyclen Use

Ortho Tri-Cyclen is a prescription medication used to prevent pregnancy.

How Ortho TriCyclen works

Ortho Tri-Cyclen works by preventing ovulation, which means your egg is not released and therefore can not be fertilized by sperm. Ortho Tri-Cyclen also causes your cervical mucus to become thick, making it difficult for sperm to enter your uterus.

How to take Ortho TriCyclen

Take Ortho Tri-Cyclen exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Take the first pill on the first Sunday after your period begins. Continue taking one active tablet daily for 21 days followed by one green placebo tablet daily for 7 days. When the 28-day cycle runs out, throw away the package and begin a new cycle the following day.

Ortho TriCyclen precautions

Avoid cigarettes. Smoking during you treatment can increase the risk of heart attack, stroke, and blood clot formation. Also, do not take Ortho Tri-Cyclen if you are pregnant. Ortho Tri-Cyclen is in the FDA pregnancy category X, which means that it's known to cause birth defects in unborn babies. Remember, birth control pills do not protect you from sexually transmitted diseases. The only way you can protect yourself from HIV and other sexually transmitted viruses is through the use of condoms.

What to tell your doctor

Before taking birth control pills, tell your doctor if you have any of the following conditions: high blood pressure, angina, heart disease, a history of stroke, bleeding or blood-clotting disorder, breast or another hormone-related cancer, liver disease

Ortho TriCyclen side effects