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Triphasil instructions
Generic Name: ethinyl estradiol and levonorgestrel
(ETH in ill ess tra DYE ole and LEE voe nor jess trel)
Brand Names: Alesse, Aviane, Tri-Levlen,
Triphasil, Triphasil-28, Trivora
The following product information is not intended to replace the physician's
or manufacturer's instructions.
Triphasil common
medical uses:
Triphasil is an oral contraceptive used to prevent pregnancy or to regulate
your menstrual cycle. Certain brands of birth control pills may be used
for treating acne or as a morning after pill for emergency contraception.
Oral contraceptive products such as ethinyl estradiol and levonorgestrel
are more effective than any other method of contraception. This medication
does not protect you or your partner against sexually transmitted diseases
(e.g., HIV, gonorrhea).
How to use Triphasil:
Take this medication with food or immediately after a meal to avoid stomach
upset. Try to take Triphasil at the same time each day. If you have a
28-tablet packet, take one tablet daily for 28 days in the order specified
in your packet. The last seven tablets in a 28-tablet packet are a different
color. These tablets do not contain ethinyl estradiol and levonorgestrel;
they contain iron (ferrous fumarate) or an inactive ingredient and are
used to permit continuous daily dosing during the entire 28-day cycle.
This eliminates the need to count the number of days between cycles. A
new 28-tablet packet should be started the day after taking your 28th
tablet. If you have an 84-tablet packet, take one pink tablet daily for
84 days followed by 7 days of a white tablet which contains an inactive
ingredient. When first starting on this medication, use an additional
method of birth control until you have correctly taken at least 7 days'
worth of tablets. Take Triphasil exactly as directed by your doctor. Do
not stop taking this medication without checking with your doctor.
Triphasil possible
side effects:
If any of the following effects persist, or worsen or do not go away with
time, contact your doctor:
- headache or dizziness
- upset stomach
- diarrhea
- constipation
- appetite and weight changes
- glucose intolerance (increased blood sugar)
- acne
- brown or black skin patches
- rash, swelling of the hands, feet, or lower legs
- hair growth in unusual places
- bleeding or spotting between menstrual periods
- painful or missed periods
- breast tenderness, enlargement, or discharge.
If you experience any of the following serious side effects, stop taking
your birth control medication and call your doctor immediately:
- allergic reaction (difficulty breathing, closing of your throat,
swelling of your lips, tongue, or face)
- shortness of breath
- pain in the chest
- high blood pressure
- a blood clot in an arm or leg
- calf pain
- yellowing of the skin or eyes
- severe mental depression
- unusual bleeding.
Contact your doctor if you notice other side effects not listed here.
Triphasil precautions:
Do not smoke cigarettes. Cigarette smoking increases the risk of serious
cardiovascular side effects from oral contraceptive use. This risk increases
with age, becoming quite marked in women over 35 years old, and is even
greater for those who are heavy smokers (15 or more cigarettes per day).
This medication must not be used during pregnancy. If you become pregnant
or think you may be pregnant, stop taking oral contraceptives and inform
your doctor immediately. Hormonal changes during pregnancy can have very
serious negative effects on a developing baby. Before taking this medicine,
tell your doctor your entire medical history, especially: asthma, high
blood pressure, kidney disease, liver heart disease, stroke, high blood
pressure during pregnancy, excessive weight gain or fluid retention during
menstrual cycle, blood clots, heart attack, migraine headaches, high blood
level of cholesterol or lipids, diabetes. Oral contraceptives slightly
increase your risk of strokes, blood clots, high blood pressure, heart
attacks, gallbladder disease, and liver tumors. Tell your doctor and pharmacist
if you wear contact lenses.You may develop vision problems while using
oral contraceptives. Contact your eye doctor if these problems occur.
Before taking Triphasil, ask your pharmacist or doctor for a copy of the
manufacturer's information for the patient.
Triphasil Drug
Interaction:
The best way to avoid harmful interactions is to tell your doctor what
prescription and nonprescription medications you are taking.
Drugs that may decrease the effectiveness of this medication include:
- griseofulvin
- various antibiotics (cephalosporins, macrolides, penicillins, tetracyclines,
sulfas)
- chloramphenicol
- various seizure medications (barbiturates, phenytoin, primidone,
carbamazepine)
- dapsone
- rifamycins
- modafinil
- nevirapine
- nelfinavir
- ritonavir.
Ask your doctor if you should use a second form of birth control methods
while taking any of the medications mentioned above.
Also tell your doctor if you use:
- thyroid hormone drugs
- prednisone-like drugs
- benzodiazepines (diazepam, chlordiazepoxide)
- antidepressants (tricyclics)
- insulin
- beta-blockers
- blood thinners (anticoagulants such as warfarin).
Oral contraceptive may significantly intensify the effects of alcohol.
Consult your doctor or pharmacist about this. Do not start or stop any
medication without doctor approval.
Overdose:
If overdose of Triphasil is suspected, contact your local poison control
center or emergency room immediately. Symptoms of an overdose include
nausea, vomiting, and menstrual bleeding.
Missed dose:
If you are taking Triphasil to prevent pregnancy, missing a dose increases
the risk of becoming pregnant. Missed dose advice differs and depends
on the brand used, and the number of doses missed.Ask your doctor or pharmacist
if you have any questions. If you miss one tablet, take the missed tablet
as soon as you remember and then take the next dose at the regular time--even
though you may be taking two tablets in 1 day. If you miss taking this
medication for 2 days in a row, take two tablets daily for the next 2
days and then return to your regular schedule. In either situation, an
additional method of birth control should be used until you have correctly
taken at least 7 days' worth of tablets (such as a condom or a spermicidal
cream, jelly, or foam). If you miss three tablets in a row and you have
the 28-tablet packet stop taking Triphasil and discard the remaining tablets
in this packet. A new packet of tablets may be started immediately or
you may wait 7 to 8 days after the last tablet was taken to begin a new
packet. You should continue to use an additional method of birth control
until you have correctly taken at least 7 days' worth of tablets. Menstrual
bleeding may not occur during this cycle. However, if you do not have
a menstrual period for 2 months in a row, consult your doctor about the
possibility of being pregnant. If you have an 84-tablet packet, and you’ve
missed three or more tablets in a row, do not take the missed pills. Keep
taking one pill every day until you have completed all the remaining pills
in the pack. You may experience bleeding during the week following the
missed pills. An alternative method of birth control should be used at
this time.
Storage:
Store Triphasil at room temperature, away from excess heat and moisture.
Avoid storing medications in the
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