Ortho Tri-Cyclen Lo Birth Control Pill Information and Prescription Pricing

QUANTITY *PACKAGE COST
1 Ortho Tri-Cyclen Lo Pack (1 month)	$85.00
3 Ortho Tri-Cyclen Lo Packs (3 months)	$225.00
6 Ortho Tri-Cyclen Lo Packs (6 months)	$420.00

*The package price includes medication and physician consultation.

Each Prescription Request Reviewed by a Board Certified Physician

ORTHO TRI-CYCLEN LO FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS BACK TO TOP

How does Ortho Tri-Cyclen Lo work?

Birth control pills, including Ortho Tri-Cyclen Lo, work by preventing ovulation, which means your egg is not released and, therefore, can't be fertilized by sperm. The Pill also causes your cervical mucus to become thick, making it difficult for sperm to enter your uterus. You can feel very confident that your pill is working to prevent pregnancy.

Is Ortho Tri-Cyclen Lo effective?

Yes. Ortho Tri-Cyclen Lo, like all oral contraceptives is one of the most effective methods for pregnancy prevention. However, as with all oral contraceptives, your pill must be taken every day—at the same time every day—to be most effective.

When the Pill is taken properly, it is highly effective in preventing pregnancy. However, the typical rate of unintended pregnancy within the first year of use of any oral contraceptive is 5% due to missed pills. You should follow your doctor's or healthcare professional's instructions carefully.

What makes Ortho Tri-Cyclen Lo different from other birth control pills?

Ortho Tri-Cyclen Lo contains a combination of a low dose of an estrogen called ethinyl estradiol, and a progestin called norgestimate. Oral contraceptives containing this specific progestin has a low rate of side effects, such as weight gain and acne.

Should I take my pill at a particular time of day?

The correct way to take the Pill is to take 1 pill each day, at the same time. Select a time that's easy for you to remember. If there is something you do at the same time each day—for instance, brushing your teeth—take your pill then. Missed pills may not only increase the risk of pregnancy but may also increase your chance of experiencing some side effects, such as bleeding between periods.

Why are the pills 4 different colors?

Ortho Tri-Cyclen Lo is a 28-day birth control regimen. There are 21 "active" pills (7 white pills, 7 light blue pills, and 7 dark blue pills) with hormones to take for 3 weeks. This is followed by 7 green pills to take for 1 week. The green pills contain no active ingredient but are intended to help you to remember take your pills correctly. Your ORTHO DIALPAK® Tablet Dispenser is labeled with the days of the week, so you'll know exactly which pill to take each day. Be sure to take a pill every day at the same time. Once you have taken the last green pill, begin a new cycle of pills.

What should I do if I miss a pill?

If you MISS 1 white, light blue or dark blue "active" pill:

• Take it as soon as you remember. Take the next pill at your regular time. This means you may take 2 pills in 1 day.
  
  
• You do not need to use a backup birth control method if you have sex.

If you MISS 2 white or light blue "active" pills in a row in WEEK 1 OR WEEK 2 of your pack:

• Take 2 pills on the day you remember and 2 pills the next day.
  
  
• Then take 1 pill a day until you finish the pack.
  
  
• You COULD BECOME PREGNANT if you have sex in the 7 days after you miss pills. You MUST use another birth control method (such as condoms or spermicide) as a backup method for those 7 days.

If you MISS 2 dark blue "active" pills in a row in THE 3RD WEEK:

• If you are a Sunday Starter:
  • Keep taking 1 pill every day until Sunday. On Sunday, THROW OUT the rest of the pack and start a new pack of pills that same day.
    
    
• If you are a Day 1 Starter:
  • THROW OUT the rest of the pill pack and start a new pack that same day.
    
    
• You may not have your period this month but this is expected. However, if you miss your period 2 months in a row, call your healthcare professional because you might be pregnant.
  
  
• You COULD BECOME PREGNANT if you have sex in the 7 days after you miss pills. You MUST use another birth control method (such as condoms or spermicide) as a backup method for those 7 days.
  

If you MISS 3 OR MORE white, light blue, or dark blue "active" pills in a row (during the first 3 weeks):

• If you are a Sunday Starter:
  • Keep taking 1 pill every day until Sunday. On Sunday, THROW OUT the rest of the pack and start a new pack of pills that same day.
    
    
• If you are a Day 1 Starter:
  • THROW OUT the rest of the pill pack and start a new pack that same day.
    
    
• You may not have your period this month but this is expected. However, if you miss your period 2 months in a row, call your healthcare professional because you might be pregnant.
  
  
• You COULD BECOME PREGNANT if you have sex in the 7 days after you miss pills. You MUST use another birth control method (such as condoms or spermicide) as a backup method for those 7 days.

A REMINDER:

• If you forget any of the 7 green "reminder" pills in WEEK 4:THROW AWAY the pills you missed.
  
  
• Keep taking 1 pill each day until the pack is empty.
  
  
• You do not need a backup method.

Finally, if you are still not sure about the pills you have missed:

• Use a BACKUP METHOD anytime you have sex.
  
  
• KEEP TAKING ONE "ACTIVE" PILL EACH DAY until you can reach your healthcare professional.

Can I get pregnant if I miss one pill?

It's important to take your pill as scheduled. The more pills you miss, the more likely you are to get pregnant.

If I miss a period, does it mean that I am pregnant?

A missed period does not necessarily mean you are pregnant. Although it is unlikely, you may miss a period when you first start taking the Pill. As long as you've taken your pills exactly as instructed, a missed period is probably not a problem. Continue as usual with the next cycle of pills, but inform your doctor or healthcare professional. If you miss 2 consecutive periods, you may be pregnant. Stop taking your pills and check with your doctor or healthcare professional immediately. Until you know whether you are pregnant it is very important to use another form of birth control consistantly.

What if I want to become pregnant?

Just stop taking your oral contraceptive. It may be advisable to postpone conception until you begin to have regular periods after you have stopped taking the Pill.

What about spotting or bleeding between periods?

For the first 2 or 3 months of taking the Pill, some adjustment spotting or bleeding between periods may occur. It does not mean your oral contraceptive is not working. It simply means that your body is adjusting to the dose of hormones in the Pill. Continue taking your pills regularly, as directed by your doctor. The spotting or bleeding should occur only within the first 2 or 3 months. Of course, if you continue to experience spotting or bleeding, let your doctor or healthcare professional know. One way to help avoid spotting or bleeding is to take your pills regularly, at the same time each day.

In addition to preventing pregnancy, are there other benefits to taking birth control pills?

Yes. Taking birth control pills may make your periods become more regular and your flow lighter. A lighter blood flow may mean that you'll lose less iron. Cramps and other menstrual symptoms are usually less severe when you're on the Pill. Women who use the Pill are also less likely to develop ovarian cysts or experience an ectopic (tubal) pregnancy. Your chances of developing acute pelvic inflammatory disease (a serious infection of the uterus, fallopian tubes, and/or ovaries) are also minimized when you're on the Pill.

Oral contraceptives are not for everybody. Most side effects of the Pill are not serious and those that are, occur infrequently. Serious risks, which can be life threatening, include blood clots, stroke, and heart attacks and are increased if you smoke cigarettes. Cigarette smoking increases the risk of serious cardiovascular side effects, especially if you're over 35. Women who use oral contraceptives are strongly advised not to smoke. Some women should not use the Pill, including women who have blood clots, certain cancers, a history of heart attack or stroke, as well as those who are or may be pregnant. Speak to your doctor or other healthcare professional about these risks.

The Pill does not protect against HIV or sexually transmitted diseases.

When I take Ortho Tri-Cyclen Lo, will I gain weight?

For most women, the answer is usually no.

How long can I stay on the Pill?

Oral contraceptives are the most popular form of reversible contraception in the United States. In fact, 80% of women have used the Pill at some time during their lives. Products such as Ortho Tri-Cyclen Lo can be prescribed by a doctor to healthy nonsmoking women after age 40, provided that there are no risk factors that may make taking the Pill inappropriate. But how long you would like to stay on the Pill is something you should discuss with your doctor or healthcare professional.

Is it necessary to take a break from using the Pill?

No. In fact, switching to a less effective form of birth control increases your chances for an unplanned pregnancy.

What should I do if I take other medications?

Certain drugs may interact with birth control pills and may make them less effective in preventing pregnancy or cause an increase in breakthrough bleeding. Such drugs include rifampin, drugs used for epilepsy such as barbiturates (for example, phenobarbital), anticonvulsants such as topiramate (Topamax®), carbamazepine (Tegretol®* is one brand of this drug), phenytoin (Dilantin®† is one brand of this drug), phenylbutazone (Butazolidin is one brand), certain drugs used in the treatment of HIV or AIDS, and possibly certain antibiotics. A possible interaction has been suggested with hormonal contraceptives and the herbal supplement St. John's wort based on some reports of oral contraceptive users experiencing breakthrough bleeding shortly after starting St. John's wort. Pregnancies have been reported by users of combined hormonal contraceptives who also used some form of St. John's wort. You may need to use additional contraception when you take drugs that can make oral contraceptives less effective. If you are taking any other medications or herbal medicines, be sure to tell your doctor or pharmacist.

*Tegretol is a registered trademark of Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation.
† Dilantin is a registered trademark of Pfizer Inc.

Are there any risks associated with taking the Pill?

Your doctor or healthcare professional has determined that you are an appropriate candidate for Ortho Tri-Cyclen Lo. But, as with any medication, some people may experience side effects. Most side effects of the Pill are not serious. And those that are, occur infrequently. Serious risks, which can be life threatening, include blood clots, stroke, and heart attacks, and are increased if you smoke cigarettes. Discuss these risks with your doctor or healthcare professional.

Should my partner use a condom even though I'm taking the Pill?

The Pill is one of the best nonsurgical, reversible methods to prevent pregnancy, but if you are sexually active and have more than 1 partner, it is essential that your partners always use a condom. Ortho Tri-Cyclen Lo (like all oral contraceptives) is intended to prevent pregnancy. It does not protect against transmission of HIV (AIDS) or other sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) such as chlamydia, genital herpes, genital warts, gonorrhea, hepatitis B, and syphilis. If you think you are at risk for contracting STDs, having your partner use a condom may give you some protection against these diseases.

How quickly will I be protected?

If you use a Sunday Start and you are taking the pill for the FIRST TIME, YOU MUST USE A BACK-UP METHOD OF BIRTH CONTROL FOR THE FIRST 7 DAYS. If you use a Day 1 Start, you are protected from becoming pregnant as you take your first pill.