Feedback on Ortho Tri-Cyclen, page 152

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: Mood swings
Date: 5/15/2010
I’ve taken a full months wort of Ortho Tri-Cyclen Lo, and I seem to be getting mood swings. Sad/mad/irritated for no reason. I asked my doctor if I needed to stop taking it, and her nurse told me that my body just needed to get used to taking the pill. But from the sounds of it, a lot of people on here aren’t getting better. Is there a possibility that the mood swings will stop over time, or should I stop taking it?

Andrea

AskDocWeb: Yes, there is a possibility that side effects will stop once your body adjusts to the pill. Unfortunately there is also a possibility that it may continue. Mental depression is listed as one of the possible side effects believed to be associated with this drug but mood swings are not listed in the 2010 Physician’s Desk Reference for Ortho Tri-Cyclen Lo. Statistics on this side effect do not seem to be available.

Subj: Concerned with weight gain
Date: 5/18/2010
I just recently had some bloodwork completed which showed I have low progestrone levels and I’m no ovulating. The MD put me on Ortho Tri Cyclen in order to regulate the hormone levels. I’m concerned with weight gain because that was the initial reasoning for the bloodwork (enlarged abdominal region).

Liz

AskDocWeb: You may find it helpful to keep in mind that some women actually lose weight while others have no change at all in their weight while taking Ortho Tri-Cyclen. It is the estrogen in high doses that can cause weight gain, and the tendency to gain increases along with the amount of estrogen in the pill. Ortho Tri-Cyclen contains only a moderate amount of estrogen, but if you did gain weight, you could ask your doctor about trying a low dose estrogen pill.

Subj: Gained excess weight
Date: 5/20/2010
I been taking tri sprintec for over 6 years. I gain excess weight and also I suffered very bad with my period and some time had to go the hospital for comfort so on 05/20/2010 my mother is a phar tech told me immediatrly not take this any longer until she do futher research and notice that they are now being taken off the market and being a college student i miss class sometime due to severe cramps and also I have terrible streth mark on my boby I will now be going to my to to discuss this issue to keep me inform and my mother also.

Sade

Subj: Massive headaches, stomach cramps, and break through bleeding
Date: 5/20/2010
I have just come to the end of my 2nd month on Ortho Tri-Cyclen Lo and I’m having some questions. Since I have started the pill I have massive headaches, often I am having to take eight 200mg ibuprofens before the pain even goes away. My stomach cramps all the time and it has been bad enough that I have had to leave work mid shift. And (I’m not as concerned about this because my doctor said it should take at least 3 months for my period to regulate) I am having break through bleeding starting the 3rd week of the pill and lasting until I restart all over again. So my questions are, will these symptoms go away as I give my body time to adjust? Or do I need to find another pill to go on?

Jennifer

AskDocWeb: Those side effects are likely to go away when the body adjusts to the new pill but not for everyone. How bad it gets before you decide that it is unacceptable is up to you. It’s your call.

Subj: Insomnia
Date: 5/21/2010
Hi I’m 20 years old and have been on ortho cyclen for a month. Just a few days ago my period started and I have been getting the worst insomnia I have ever gotten in my life. Is there a link between the pill and me getting no sleep? Am I going to have to take pills just for some sleep now?

Lillygirl

AskDocWeb: There are reports of insomnia with many different birth control pills. Oral contraceptives deplete vitamin B6, which inhibits the production of serotonin, the hormone that helps induce sleep. A vitamin B6 supplement of 50 to 100 milligrams per day can help to prevent some insomnia.

Subj: Generic Trinessa
Date: 5/21/2010
I had been on Ortho Tri-Cyclen Lo without any issues for about 4 years until last year when I got my first job after college. My insurance made the generic Trinessa only $10. But, it seems for the last year, the pills haven’t worked the same. My cramps came back on the Trinessa. I bloat more, get more yeast infections, and my period increased one day. I also have been more irritable. I just had a physical, and the Dr. gave me a sample of Loestrin 24 Fe to try since it has a card to bring the cost down for it. I know generic is supposed to be the same, but it wasn’t. Does this happen with a lot of women?

Jocelyn

AskDocWeb: It appears that those statistics don’t seem to be available. This is one of the subjects that could use more research. Although generics are “chemically equivalent” to name brands they do have some different ingredients for fillers. These are supposed to be inactive ingredients but too many women report major differences in side effects. We suspect that the difference may involve one of the following:

  • anhydrous lactose
  • carnauba wax
  • FD&C blue no. 2 aluminum lake
  • iron oxide black
  • lactose
  • polysorbate 80

Subj: Cost of Ortho Tri Cyclen Lo
Date: 5/26/2010
My doctor prescribed Ortho Tri Cyclen Lo. So far it’s been working just fine except for the mood swings and the fact that I’ve gained weight. I’m currently on my third month of it and found out that my insurance only covers four dollars of it. The Pharmacy charged me $70 for just one pack. It’s ridiculous. There is no generic brand for it and it is over priced. Students like me definitely cannot afford to pay this. I do not recommend Ortho Tri Cyclen Lo unless you are ready to pay $70 per pack with insurance that doesnt even cover 10% of the cost.

Gaby

AskDocWeb: There is a list of generics for birth control here. It looks like the generic for Ortho Tri-Cyclen Lo (Tri Lo Sprintec) could be available again on December 31, 2015. One alternative that has been mentioned is to get Ortho Tri-Cyclen Lo from Planned Parenthood at a reduced cost.

Subj: Get pregnant in the first month off?
Date: 5/28/2010
I have been on ortho tri-cyclen for 3 months now. but I just stopped taking them, I have a cyst on my ovaries, but can I get pregnant in the first month off?

Jesica

AskDocWeb: Yes, it is possible. About 85% of women who use no contraception get pregnant within one year.

Subj: Weight gain and moody with NuvaRing
Date: 5/31/2010
I am in the middle of my second 3 weeks using nuvaring. I recently switched last month from orthotricyclen (trisprintec) to nuvaring for convenience. My doctor told me that it is the exact same hormones so it shouldnt be a problem switching. I have noticed being a little more moody, more acne, and i seem to be gaining weight when i have never gained a pound on orthotricyclen. Do you think this is due to being on Nuvaring now? I just thought that it was the same hormones exactly so I thought i shouldnt be feeling any different.

Jessica

AskDocWeb: According to the NuvaRing website up to 14% of women using NuvaRing in clinical trials reported weight gain and this is considered a common side effect. They also say that a change in mood (possible severe depression) should be reported to your doctor right away because it could be a sign of a serious problem.

Subj: When will it be safe
Date: 5/31/2010
I started taking Ortho tri cyclen lo today for the first time, i took 2 pills because i want to do a Sunday start and i forgot to take it yesterday. My question is when will it be safe for my husband to come inside of me? Thank you.

Sara

AskDocWeb: The patient information for Ortho Tri-Cyclen Lo says to use a back-up form of birth control for the first seven days after starting the pill. After that you have the full protection provided by the pill.

Subj: I want to get pregnant
Date: 6/2/2010
i just started on the pill ortho- tri cyclin today but i want to get pregnant asap. i’ve tried every other way but itsa not working. my doctor said that i should start taking the pill. i just wanna know how soon should i stop taking the pill so i could get pregnant? and if i take the pill for 4 days and stop it could i get pregnat faster as a possibility?

Jamika

AskDocWeb: No, it doesn’t work that way. Please talk to your doctor about the overall plan and how long that is expected to take. You may find that it could take several months instead of just days.

Subj: For better skin?
Date: 6/6/2010
I am getting ready to start ortho today, but after reading a lot of feedback I’m not so sure. I was only going to take it for better skin. Is it going to make me gain weight, and make my boobs get larger? if so, I’m not taking it.

Ashley

AskDocWeb: That does happen to a small percentage of users but so far it appears that the manufacturer has chosen not to publish the statistics on those side effects.

Subj: Unprotected sex
Date: 6/7/2010
I was on ortho tri cyclen for 2 weeks and had unprotected sex, I had my boyfriend pull out. The pamphlet said that I would be protected after 7 days, I was wondering if this is true and how likely it is that I’m pregnant.

Christina

AskDocWeb: It is true, after taking Ortho Tri-Cyclen for 7 consecutive days you have the maximum protection provided by the pill. It is highly unlikely that you are pregnant.

Subj: Concerned about getting pregnant
Date: 6/7/2010
I have a question I started ortho tricyclen lo on the 1st day of my period like I was told to do. Also I am cymbalta. I have not missed a pill and I take it at the same everyday. My boyfriend and I have been having sex and started the same day I started the pill. I was told by the Rx that I would not need any other protection. We have had sex about 10 – 15 times. Each time he has ejaculated inside of me. Is there any way I could be pregnant? I havent missed my period and I am not late yet. I am worried that I was told wrong about when the date I was covered by the pill started and that my other medication might have decressed the pill. What do you think?

Jennifer

AskDocWeb: We think you are likely to be okay. According to the Physician’s Desk Reference, those women who start Ortho Tri-Cyclen Lo during the first 24 hours of their period do not need to use a back-up form of birth control. That is called a Day 1 Start. As for the Cymbalta, it has not been reported to have any effect on this birth control pill.

Subj: Could I be pregnant?
Date: 6/11/2010
hi I was on the depo shot for a year but got off of it 3 or 4 months now and went on tricyclin. I had my first period on them the beginning of May but after that I havent been taking my pills right. I take them a couple of days then the next day I would forget now I’m due for my period on June 3rd havent gottin it yet and I’m very crampy like I wanna get my period but havent yet. Could I be pregnant or is my cycle all messed up from messing up my pills?

Amanda

AskDocWeb: The less you follow the instructions, the less protection the pill provides. And the more pills you miss, the more pregnancy becomes a possibility. It is also true that missing pills can mess up your cycle. Read more feedback


Report
150151Page 152153154Last Page 181