Warning: the next information is intended to supplement, not substitute for, expertise & judgment of your pharmacist. this should not be construed to indicate that use of the med is safe or effective for you. Consult your doctor before using this drug.

Oral contraceptives

warning: Smoking cigarettes while using this med increases some your chance of having heart problems. don't smoke while using this drug. the risk of heart problems increases with age (especially in women greater than 35 years of age) and with frequent smoking (15 cigarettes daily or greater).

Ortho Cyclen Usage: this medication is used to prevent pregnancy or to regulate you're menstrual cycle. Certain brands of birth control pills may be used for treating acne or as a 'morning after' pill for emergency contraception. Consult some your doctor or pharmacist. Use of it medication does not protect you or your partner against sexually transmitted diseases (e.g., HIV, gonorrhea).

How to use Ortho Cyclen: Take this drug with food or immediately after meal to prevent stomach upset. Try to take this medication at same time each day. it may help you to remember to take it. Learn proper use of your particular brand of drug. Follow some your dosing schedule carefully. Be sure to ask your pharmacist or pharmacist if you have any questions. Use a supplemental form of birth control during first week of taking this medication since it takes while to be effective. Follow your doctor's directions exactly if it drug is being used as a 'morning after' tablet.

Ortho Cyclen side effects: this medication may cause dizziness, headache, lightheadedness, stomach upset, bloating, or nausea. If these effects persist or worsen, contact you're physician. Notify you're doctor if you experience: severe depression, groin or calf pain, sudden severe headache, chest pain, shortness about breath, lumps in breast, weakness or tingling in arms or legs, yellowing of the eyes or skin. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your physician or pharmacist.

Ortho Cyclen Precautions: Before you take this tablet, tell your doctor your entire medical history, including family medical history, especially: asthma, high blood pressure, kidney disease, liver disease, heart disease, stroke, history about jaundice (yellowing skin/eyes) or hypertension 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 tablet may cause patchy, darkening of the skin on the face (melasma). Higher strengths more likely to cause melasma. Sunlight may intensify this darkening & you may need to avoid prolonged sun exposure & sunlamps. Consult youre doctor regarding use of sunscreens & protective clothing. it may take long clock since you to become pregnant after you stop taking birth control meds. Consult your pharmacist. do not smoke cigarettes. Birth-control pills slightly increase your risk of strokes, blood clots, high blood pressure, heart attacks, gallbladder disease, vision problems, & liver tumors. Cigarette smoking (especially 15 or more cigarettes daily) & age (women older than 35/smokers or 40/nonsmokers years of age) further increase risk about stroke, blood clots, high blood pressure & heart attacks. Ask youre pharmacist or healthcare professional for a copy of patient labeling which explains these risks in more detail. Consult your doctor since any questions, including possible use at nonsmokers over 40 years of age. If you are near-sighted or wear contact lenses, you may develop vision problems. Also, you're tolerance about lenses may decrease. Contact youre eye physician if these problems occur. Before having surgery, including dental surgery, tell pharmacist that you take birth control tablets. this drug must not be used during pregnancy. If you become pregnant or think you may be pregnant, inform your pharmacist immediately. this drug passes in to breast milk. it may affect milk production & may have harmful effects on nursing infant. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.

Ortho Cyclen drug interactions: Tell you're doctor what prescription and nonprescription medications you taking. drugs that may decrease the effectiveness of the med 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, St John's wort, bosentan, certain HIV protease inhibitors (e.g., amprenavir, nelfinavir, ritonavir), troglitazone. Ask some your pharmacist if you must use additional birth control methods while taking any about drugs mentioned above while taking birth control pills. Also tell your doctor if you use: thyroid hormone pills, certain benzodiazepines (e.g., diazepam, chlordiazepoxide), prednisone-like medications, 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 medication. Birth control pills may significantly intensify effects of alcohol. Consult your doctor or pharmacist about this. don't start or stop any medicine without doctor or physician approval.

Ortho Cyclen Overdose: If overdose is suspected, contact some your local poison control center or emergency room immediately. Symptoms about overdose may include nausea & vomiting. Females may experience vaginal bleeding.

Ortho Cyclen special notes: do not allow anyone else to take this drug. Keep all appointments with your physician & laboratory. You should have a complete physical examination, including blood pressure measurements, breast and pelvic examinations, & PAP test (for vaginal cancer), at least 1 time a year. Follow youre doctor's instructions for examining you're own breats, and report any lumps immediately. manufacturer's fact sheet about this med should be dispensed with each prescription. Read the information carefully. Ask some your pharmacist or physician any questions you may have.

If you missed Ortho Cyclen dose: Missed dose advice differs & depends on brand used, & number of doses missed. Refer to product package information since advice on missed doses. Ask some your pharmacist or physician if you have any questions.

Ortho Cyclen Storage: Store at room temperature between 59 and 86 degrees F (between 15 & 30 degrees C) away from moisture & sunlight. do not store in the bathroom.

Active Ingredients : Contraceptives