Feedback on Ortho Tri-Cyclen, page 153

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: Going off the pill
Date: 6/17/2010
I have tried the generic Ortho Lo and I thought i was going crazy! Then I switched to the brand name Ortho Lo. It seemed to be better for a bit but now I go in and out of depression. I want to change to the natural family planning. Is it true that I should finish the pack before going off of the pill completely? Any other advise?

Kari

AskDocWeb: This website is for sharing information about side effects. For advice there are doctors online that can be very helpful.

Subj: Epilepsy meds and birth control pills
Date: 6/21/2010
i am 19 and have epileosy and take tegrotel for it i wanta know if i start birth control tablets will the tablets still be effective and will i get breast growth?

Dee

AskDocWeb: According to the Epilepsy Foundation of America, some seizure medications increase the breakdown of contraceptive hormones in the body, making them less effective in preventing pregnancy. The seizure medications that have this effect are often called “liver enzyme-inducing” drugs because the liver is the organ that breaks down these hormones. They are carbamazepine (Tegretol, Carbatrol), oxcarbazepine (Trileptal), phenytoin (Dilantin), phenobarbital (Luminal), primidone (Mysoline), and topiramate (Topamax). You may need contraceptive pills with higher doses of estrogen, and even then, there is a risk of unexpected pregnancy. An alternative may be the use of a seizure med that does not increase breakdown of hormones, such as Valproate (Depakote) or felbamate (Felbatol). These meds may even increase hormonal levels, which also may require an adjustment in the dose of your birth control. Those with epilepsy are encouraged to use barrier methods (a diaphragm, spermicidal cream or a condom) in addition to the contraceptive pill.

Subj: Side effects, bad and good
Date: 6/23/2010
I’ve only been on Ortho Tri Cyclen for one week today. I am 18 and it’s the first birth control pill I’ve ever taken (still not sexually active). After 4 or 5 days I began experiencing constant headaches. They are not severe by any means, but are still headaches. Otherwise, I don’t see a problem so far.

A plus is this: I NEVER get acne. I mean NEVER. I’ve never had more than 1 zit a time, and I’d get that zit maybe every 6 months and it’d go away in a couple of weeks. But recently I starting breaking out like never before. Though I’m also using the same acne medication as before, once I got on Ortho Tri Cyclen, the acne has begun to clear up. And to those who say it’s expensive: I don’t know how much Lo costs, but I take Ortho Tri Cyclen’s off brand through Walmart (it’s seriously the EXACT same stuff, my gyn suggested it because I don’t have a ton of money, it just goes by a different name), and I get it for $9 when I pick up my refill. So you should definitely look into that.

Brittany

Subj: Tri-cyclen based drugs
Date: 6/23/2010
Went on Ortho Lo and after 2 days I started to break out in hives. After 3 days the uncontrollable bleeding started (I thought I was dying) and my doctor didn’t think it was connected to the Birth control (I thankfully no longer see her). I knew the drug was causing it so I stopped taking it and after 2 weeks I was finally back to normal. Found out later that some people are allergic to Tri-cyclen based drugs. If you have similar symptoms be aware of this because there are other drugs out there that are tri-cyclen based. Make sure you tell your doctor about the reaction.

Erin

Subj: No sex drive
Date: 6/28/2010
I just started taking ortho tri cyclen lo about 2-3 weeks ago and I think it’s causing me to have no sex drive. I haven’t noticed any other side effects so far. How long does this side effect typically last? When will I get my sex drive back?

Kim

AskDocWeb: Research indicates that hormonal contraceptives such as Ortho Tri-Cyclen Lo may cause lowered libido or reduce sex drive in two ways. First, by blocking the production of testosterone in the ovaries and elevating levels of sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG). SHBG binds to testosterone, rendering it unavailable. Testosterone is thought to be one of the major hormones for driving a woman’s sexual desire. And second, a lowered libido may result from the hampered production of androgens, which are responsible for producing pleasure during sex. Unfortunately this side effect may continue as long as hormonal contraceptives are used. However, you aren’t alone, many women want their sex drive back.

Subj: I can’t handle Loestrin
Date: 6/29/2010
My dr is switching me from loestrin to ortho tri-cyclen because my estrogen levels are low. After reading all these reviews, I’m weary about a few things. One, I’m already in a 38H bra, and the last thing I want is larger breasts. Two, my dr told me this would help me lose weight and get rid of my hot flashes. I’m 30 years old, have never been pregnant and have been on birth control pills since I was 16. I kind of don’t know what’s “normal” anymore, but I can’t handle the way I feel on loestrin. Anyone else been in my same boat?

Honnis

Subj: Extreme nausea and vomited
Date: 7/7/2010
I am quitting orthotricyclen lo after just four days. The side effects were awful and not something I want to continue experimenting with to see if they’ll just go away. The first night I had extreme nausea and vomited repeatedly. The following days I experienced some nausea but no vomiting, but I felt anxious and somehow cut-off, a form of alienated, nervous lethargy. I know that I am super-sensitive– caffeine makes me feel anxious and I only weight one hundred pounds so I think that the “lo” may be too much for my body. I’m looking into iud’s.

Julie

Subj: Anxiety with Ortho Tricyclen Lo
Date: 7/16/2010
I’m 22 years old. I first took YAZ for a year and then had to switch over to another pill because I graduated and my insurance provider changed. I chose to go on Ortho Tricyclen Lo. I noticed that once a month I’d get anxious at night and wake up sweating. Didn’t think anything of it until June about a month ago. I started feeling horrible (nauseated- I’ve lost 10 pounds because I was unable to eat!, extreme anxiety, dizziness, feeling like I’m in a daze a majority of the time, and trouble concentrating/focusing, and this awful tension in the back of my head which sometimes gravitates to the front of my head).

I stopped taking the pill 2 weeks ago because I figured this was the cause. I’ve felt a BIT better but there are points during the day where I still get the anxiety and even though the pressure/tension in my head has not regularly appeared, it hasn’t gone away either! I know it takes about 3 months for the pill to completely leave your system, but how long should I wait before going to a psychologist for anxiety? (Also, anxiety runs in my family but I never felt this way until a month ago).

Isabelle

AskDocWeb: How long you should wait is a question for your personal healthcare professional. Headaches, nervousness, dizziness, and changes in appetite are listed as possible side effects of Ortho Tri-Cyclen Lo that should be discussed with your doctor.

Subj: Cheaper pill?
Date: 7/17/2010
I have to start ortho tricyclen lo is any pill cheaper than that or anyt other plces at low price?

Claudia

AskDocWeb: Many birth control pills have a generic available that is cheaper but currently there is no generic for Ortho Tri-Cyclen Lo.

Subj: Can you get pregnant on this pill?
Date: 7/20/2010
i have been on ortho tri cyclen lo for 2 months n 3 days. so far i had a period for the month of June on time. Now for the month July im 3 days late. So im going to wait on taking a pregnancy test because ive heared of periods been late. So i am wondering can you get pregnant on this pill? Well i will see…So far so good the pill hasnt gave me any problems.

Quita
AskDocWeb: According to the 2010 Physician’s Desk Reference (page 2665), among typical couples who use this pill 5% of them experience an unintended pregnancy during the first year of use.

Subj: Yeast infection
Date: 7/21/2010
I’ve been on OTC lo for about 5 1/2 months. I recently had a yeast infection right before my period came on. After my period I had protected sex but when me and my boyfriend finished we noticed white sily substance on my leg. could this be his ejaculation or was it from the yeast infection? now two before my period I see spotting and a little bit of bleeding. Am I pregnant?

Shantae
AskDocWeb: The substance on your leg could have been either. A yeast infection can range in appearance from thick, white, and cottage cheese-like to a thin, faint yellow, almost clear. For more information on yeast infections, click here. If you have been taking your pills according to instructions there is very little chance of being pregnant.

Subj: Generic and brand names of birth control pills
Date: 7/23/2010
We are looking for a current list of generic/ and brand names of birth control pills. Having problems finding a current list. Can you please help? Thank you for your help.

Cathy
AskDocWeb: The page you want is here.

Subj: How long will it take to get pregnant?
Date: 7/24/2010
I am 19 years old and I have been on Ortho Tri-Cyclen for three months. Me and my boyfriend have decided to start a family and I was wondering how long does it take for the pill to get out of my system and when would it be a good time for us to start trying? And how long will it take for me to get pregnant once we start trying?

Kelly
AskDocWeb: The pill takes only a few days to leave your system. If you had irregular menstrual cycles before using the pill then there may be some delay in getting pregnant. The PDR says that it may be advisable to postpone conception until you begin menstruating regularly once you have stopped taking the pill. Overall there is an 85% chance of getting pregnant within one year after discontinuing the birth control pills.

Subj: 16 day period
Date: 7/24/2010
I was advised by the planned parenthood to take the pill the same day that would be two weeks before my period. today i have been on my period for almost 16 days. clotts, throwing up headaches and body aches.

Kim
AskDocWeb: Please contact your healthcare provider.

Subj: Expired pack
Date: 7/25/2010
Hi I have been taking Ortho Tri-Cyclen lo for almost 11 years now, and i have always gotten my period on time ( by the 3rd sugar pill) this month I did not get my period and I am so scared! I went to the doc and took a test and it was negative, they said that I should be ok and to keep taking my pills and it re test in 2 weeks…. I just noticed that my pack was exp!!!! June 2010…. could be expecting??? OMG I am so scared!

Katia

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