Feedback on Ortho Tri-Cyclen, page 134

About Ortho Tri-cyclen®

If you’ve used Ortho Tri-cyclen®, please help others by adding your feedback. What would you tell your best friend about this product? Please remember that we do not give medical advice. That is for your local health care provider, who is familiar with your medical history.

Subj: I didn’t start my period
Date: 3/25/2009
I’ve been taking ortho tri-cyclen for about 8 months now and this month, I didn’t start my period while taking the white pills, and haven’t gotten my period yet. I’ve never missed a pill and have taken all of my pills at the same time every day. What’s this mean or what’s wrong with me?

Lacey

AskDocWeb: You will have to check with your doctor to find out, our focus here is on side effects.

Subj: Missed pills
Date: 3/26/2009
I’ve been on tri sprintec for about 9 months barely missed days for 9 months then I missed a week of my sugar pills & the first week of pills. Could I be pregnant? What r my chances of being pregnant?

Sylvia

AskDocWeb: Missing a week of your sugar pills is not a problem but missing the first week of pills is another matter. That puts you at risk for pregnancy if you had sex during that time and for the week following if you didn’t use a back-up form of birth control. It sounds like you my want to do a home pregnancy test.

Subj: Emotional changes and changes in sex drive
Date: 3/27/2009
I am in the beginning of the second pill pack for my ortho tricyclin lo, and I have noticed some emotional changes and also changes in my sex drive. Is this normal?

Aurora

AskDocWeb: Judging by the feedback these side effects seem to be common. If they become a problem then discuss this with your doctor.

Subj: Hair loss?
Date: 3/27/2009
I have been on the pill since age 18, 7 years on ortho novum and the remainder on ortho tricylen. I am currently 41 and due to blood pressure issues and high cholesterol, I am wondering if it’s time to discontinue. My biggest worry is that I will suffer hair loss from this change in hormones. Is this a common side effect?

Pam

AskDocWeb: Drug companies are not very helpful when it comes to publishing statistics on the percentage of people who experience specific side effects but hair loss does seem to be a common complaint.

Subj: Heavy menstrual and strong cramps
Date: 3/27/2009
Hi, I’ve been using Tri Cyclen Lo for about almost 5 Months now. It has made my period a lot lighter and no more cramps, but now the heavy menstrual are back and the cramps are even stronger. Does this mean that the dosage on this pill isn’t strong enough for me or should I switch to a lower dose?

Katie

AskDocWeb: It would appear that something has changed but in order to find out, you would need to check with your doctor.

Subj: Hoping
Date: 3/31/2009
I just switch to othro from the depo. When I was on the depo I was diagnosed with an anxiety disorder. I also gained about 20 pounds over about 2 years. I am hoping the pill will bring me back to normal, although it is making me very sick to my stomach and my breasts are sore.

Stephanie

Subj: Never been on pills before
Date: 4/1/2009
Hi, I’m on ortho Tri-Cyclen Lo, I’ve never been on any kind of pills before. I have about 4 days left of my very first pack and I feel like a completely different person already. I am extremely moody. I’m either angry or sad all the time and it usually ends up in hysterical crying at the end of the day. To top it off, I developed a urinary tract infection that burns and itches like crazy; just 2 weeks into starting the pills. I have not yet seen my gynocologist. The worst part is that my period did not come on the 25th like it usually did. I’m used to knowing when my period is on it’s way so this change is a bit nerve wracking, I doubt I’m pregnant because I always use condoms and my partner always pulls out just in case it’s a bad condom(since we tend to get those). I guess after reading all this I wonder if I am pregnant or if it’s possible to feel this EXTREME change so soon. Also I’m developing a huge fear of all types of pills; even the IUD I was considering lately. I just never felt so awful and my partner who has always hated pills is thinking of getting snipped for the first time ever all because of how different I’ve been acting lately.

Antipills

Subj: Brown pigmentation
Date: 4/1/2009
I am 37 years old and have been taking ortho lo for 11 years. For the last 2 years I have brown pigmentation on both my checks that I can’t seem to get rid of! I have gotten skin peels, tried retin-a and even had fractional laser treatments could this be coming from this pill??

“G”

AskDocWeb: Yes, the patient information says that it may cause dark skin patches on your face that the sun may make darker.

Subj: Generic brand?
Date: 4/2/2009
I started birth control and ortho lo and found out was over $60 at my pharmacy, and there is no generic brand. But for regular ortho they do have a generic brand and it is only $9. Have any of taken the generic brand? And what kind of outcomes did you have good or bad. THANK YOU,

Jessica

Subj: I recommend these pills
Date: 4/5/2009
I am 19 now and I have used ortho tri cyclen lo since 2005 and I was 15 at the time I like this BC I’ve neva had a pimple I haven’t gained weight. I don’t have mood swings, my skin is clear, my periods are light and last for a max of 3 days. I went to pph and they gave me lutera but after reading ppls experience I’m scared to take the pills. I love ortho but every one is different but I recommend these pills. Good luck,

Eboni

Subj: I missed 1 day
Date: 4/5/2009
I’ve been taking ortho tri-cyclen for about 4years off and on. I had unprotected sex last week and he didn’t pull out. I missed 1 day of taking the pill. Could I be pregnant? I’ve been taking the pill everyday since. But if I am pregnant, could taking the pill cause something to go wrong?

Chantel

AskDocWeb: If you didn’t make up the missed pill by taking two pills the next day then yes, you could be pregnant. You can get a home pregnancy test kit from your local drugstore to find out for sure. If pregnancy has occurred the risk from taking ortho tri-cyclen is minimal.

Subj: Headaches
Date: 4/6/2009
I have been on Ortho Tri cyclen lo for almost 5 years now, and the last few months I’ve been getting an unusual amount of headaches. The only common tie I can find for my headaches is the birth control, so I think it’s time for a change. Are there any brands that would be recommended to switch to?

Lauren

AskDocWeb: Recommendations should be made by your doctor after you discuss the headaches and any other side effects that you may have experienced.

Subj: Bigger boobs?
Date: 4/7/2009
Is it normal for your boobs to get alot bigger when your on it?

Crystal

AskDocWeb: Yes, that does happen to some women who take Ortho Tri-Cyclen.

Subj: I’m really confused
Date: 4/7/2009
Ok I was always having problems with my periods when I was getting older so I started taking birth control and it has been working for me…today was my last day on my period…I have been taking ortho tri cyclen lo for about 6 months now…and my boyfriend and I have been having unprotected sex…but then he gets scared so he puts a condom on…but he has been asking me if he can ejaculate inside me. He is tired of wearing condoms and ejaculating in that…I’m really confused. I want him to but then I am scared…I have never missed a pill and he makes sure I take it everyday at the same time…when would be the right time to do this…and what pill would I have to take when this happens? I have been having regular periods every months the 1st Thursday of every month…please let me know if there is a chance of getting pregnant. I think there was one time were we were have in course and he couldn’t hold it and I pulled off and I had it running down on him…I don’t know if he did in me or not that was like a month or two ago…

Brittany

AskDocWeb: Ortho Tri-Cyclen Lo is a birth control pill that provides more protection against getting pregnant than a condom. When you are taking the pill as directed, the sex you have is protected sex. Many women use this pill so that their partner does not have to use a condom. Please read the previous sentence again, and if you have any doubts about it then you need to discuss this with your doctor.

Subj: Switched to trinessa
Date: 4/8/2009
I switched to trinessa due to the fact that is was less expensive than other brands. Is it just as effective as tri cyclen? Also can it cause insomnia? I find that since I have started it I can’t sleep. Another question is I took one anitbiotic on one day and two days later took another one due to sore throat. 500 mg cephalexin will affect my pills?

Teresa

AskDocWeb: The generic pills are just as effective in providing birth control as are the name brand drugs. Although insomnia is not listed as a side effect of Tri-Nessa, several women have posted complaints about it. According to the U.S. National Library of Medicine those using birth control pills should employ additional barrier techniques of birth control during antibiotic therapy and for at least 1 week beyond the last dose of antibiotics.

Subj: Eczema?
Date: 4/8/2009
I’m beginning the third month on Ortho Tri-Cyclen. After 2-3 weeks into the first month, I got eczema on my face and it must be from the pill since on the off week, the redness begins to diminish somewhat and I have never had eczema before. I’m not sure if I should stop taking it (no other side effects) or try something different. Or if taking a supplement will help?

S.D.

AskDocWeb: Several women have posted complaints about eczema. If it is still a problem after the third month then it is not likely to go away.

Subj: Accidentally took 2 pills in 1 day
Date: 4/9/2009
I have been on the pill for three years but recently I accidentally took two pills on one day. Was it a bad idea to skip one day because I have taken two pills?

Janeth

AskDocWeb: Yes, unless you were taking the reminder pills, that reduces your level of protection. Hopefully it was during the time that you were taking the placebo pills.

Subj: Antibiotics
Date: 4/9/2009
Antibiotics I’m on tri-cyclen and two months ago I had inflamed tonsils. They gave me Clarithromycin, I was wondering if this could have effected my birth control at all.

Alysha

AskDocWeb: Yes, Clarithromycin may decrease the effectiveness of your birth control pill. Other antibiotics that are listed as interfering with oral contraceptives include:

• Amoxicillin
• Ampicillin
• Cotrimoxazole
• Griseofulvin
• Metronidazole
• Minocycline
• Nitrofurantoin
• Penicillin
• Phenobarbitol
• Rifampin
• Sulfonamide
• Tetracycline

Until you are able to talk to your doctor this use a back-up method of birth control like a condom.

Subj: What is breakthrough bleeding?
Date: 4/11/2009
I’ve been on otho lo for 20 days. I started the day of my period. I have not stopped bleeding for 20 days. Is that considered breakthrough bleeding cause I have never heard of that! Help,

Mary

AskDocWeb: Breakthrough bleeding is bleeding that occurs during the time that you are taking the active pills, that is, at times other than during the placebo pills. This can occur when you are becoming adjusted to taking the pills for the first time or if you have been off them for a time and are beginning them again. This is usually an adjustment situation and not serious. If it continues into the third month of pills you may need to have your doctor prescribe another brand of pill. Read more feedback


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