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Ortho Tri-Cyclen Lo Dosage

Generic name: norgestimate 0.18mg, ethinyl estradiol 0.025mg; norgestimate 0.215mg, ethinyl estradiol 0.025mg; norgestimate 0.25mg, ethinyl estradiol 0.025mg;
Dosage form: tablets
Drug class: Contraceptives

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Dec 29, 2023.

How to Start ORTHO TRI-CYCLEN Lo

ORTHO TRI-CYCLEN Lo is dispensed in either a DIALPAK Tablet dispenser or a VERIDATE Tablet Dispenser [see How Supplied/Storage and Handling (16)]. ORTHO TRI-CYCLEN Lo may be started using either a Day 1 start or a Sunday start (see Table 1). For the first cycle of a Sunday Start regimen, an additional method of contraception should be used until after the first 7 consecutive days of administration.

How to Take ORTHO TRI-CYCLEN Lo

Table 1: Instructions for Administration of ORTHO TRI-CYCLEN Lo
Complete instructions to facilitate patient counseling on proper tablet usage are located in the FDA-Approved Patient Labeling.
Starting COCs in women not currently using hormonal contraception (Day 1 Start or Sunday Start)
Important:
Consider the possibility of ovulation and conception prior to initiation of this product.
Tablet Color:
  • ORTHO TRI-CYCLEN Lo active tablets are white (Day 1 to Day 7), light blue (Day 8 to Day 14) and dark blue (Day 15 to Day 21).
  • ORTHO TRI-CYCLEN Lo inactive tablets are dark green (Day 22 to Day 28).
 Day 1 Start:
  • Take first active tablet without regard to meals on the first day of menses.
  • Take subsequent active tablets once daily at the same time each day for a total of 21 days.
  • Take one dark green inactive tablet daily for 7 days and at the same time of day that active tablets were taken.
  • Begin each subsequent pack on the same day of the week as the first cycle pack (i.e., on the day after taking the last inactive tablet)
Sunday Start:
  • Take first active tablet without regard to meals on the first Sunday after the onset of menses. Due to the potential risk of becoming pregnant, use additional non-hormonal contraception (such as condoms and spermicide) for the first seven days of the patient's first cycle pack of ORTHO TRI-CYCLEN Lo.
  • Take subsequent active tablets once daily at the same time each day for a total of 21 days.
  • Take one dark green inactive tablet daily for the following 7 days and at the same time of day that active tablets were taken.
  • Begin each subsequent pack on the same day of the week as the first cycle pack (i.e., on the Sunday after taking the last inactive tablet) and additional non-hormonal contraceptive is not needed.
Switching to ORTHO TRI-CYCLEN Lo from another oral contraceptive Start on the same day that a new pack of the previous oral contraceptive would have started.
Switching from another contraceptive method to ORTHO TRI-CYCLEN Lo Start ORTHO TRI-CYCLEN Lo:
  • Transdermal patch
  • On the day when next application would have been scheduled
  • Vaginal ring
  • On the day when next insertion would have been scheduled
  • Injection
  • On the day when next injection would have been scheduled
  • Intrauterine contraceptive
  • On the day of removal
  • If the IUD is not removed on first day of the patient's menstrual cycle, additional non-hormonal contraceptive (such as condoms and spermicide) is needed for the first seven days of the first cycle pack.
  • Implant
  • On the day of removal

Starting ORTHO TRI-CYCLEN Lo after Abortion or Miscarriage

First-trimester

  • After a first-trimester abortion or miscarriage, ORTHO TRI-CYCLEN Lo may be started immediately. An additional method of contraception is not needed if ORTHO TRI-CYCLEN Lo is started immediately.
  • If ORTHO TRI-CYCLEN Lo is not started within 5 days after termination of the pregnancy, the patient should use additional non-hormonal contraception (such as condoms and spermicide) for the first seven days of her first cycle pack of ORTHO TRI-CYCLEN Lo.

Second-trimester

  • Do not start until 4 weeks after a second-trimester abortion or miscarriage, due to the increased risk of thromboembolic disease. Start ORTHO TRI-CYCLEN Lo, following the instructions in Table 1 for Day 1 or Sunday start, as desired. If using Sunday start, use additional non-hormonal contraception (such as condoms and spermicide) for the first seven days of the patient's first cycle pack of ORTHO TRI-CYCLEN Lo. [see Contraindications (4), Warnings and Precautions (5.1), and FDA-Approved Patient Labeling.]

Starting ORTHO TRI-CYCLEN Lo after Childbirth

DIALPAK® Tablet Dispenser:

Figure

 SET THE DAY:
□
Day 1 Start: turn the dial on the empty DIALPAK until the arrow points to the first day of the patient's period.
□
Sunday Start: the arrow on the empty DIALPAK should point to SU (Sunday).

Figure

 Insert the new refill by lining up the "V" shape on the refill with the "V" shape at the top of the DIALPAK. Snap the refill in place. Pill "1" is ready to be taken. Always begin the pill cycle with pill "1," as shown on the inner part of the refill ring.

Figure

 Remove pill "1" by pushing down on the pill. The pill will come out through a hole in the back of the DIALPAK.

Figure

 The patient should wait 24 hours to take the next pill. To take pill "2," turn the dial on the DIALPAK in a clockwise direction to the next day. Continue to take one pill each day until all the pills have been taken.

Figure

 Turn the dial to the pill "1" position to remove the empty refill and insert a new refill. The first pill in every refill will always be taken on the same day of the week, no matter when the patient's next period starts.

VERIDATE® Tablet Dispenser

  • Place the refill in the VERIDATE Tablet Dispenser so that the V notch in the refill is at the top of the dispenser. Press the refill down so that it fits firmly under all the nibs (see illustration below).
  • If the patient starts pill-taking on Sunday, the first active pill should be taken on the first Sunday after the patient's menstrual period begins. Remove the first active pill at the top of the dispenser (Sunday) by pressing the pill through the hole in the bottom of the dispenser.
    Figure
  • If the patient will start pill-taking on a day other than Sunday, a calendar label has been provided and should be placed over the calendar in the center of the VERIDATE. To place the label correctly, identify the correct starting day, locate that day printed in blue on the label, and line that day up with the first white pill directly under the V notch at the top of the dispenser. Remove the label from the backing. Press the center of the label down onto the center of the printed calendar. Remove that white pill by pressing the pill through the hole in the bottom of the dispenser.
  • After all the dark green pills have been taken, insert a new refill into the VERIDATE. The patient should take the first pill on the next day, even if the patient's period is not over yet.

To Insert New Refill:

  • Lift the empty refill out of the VERIDATE Tablet Dispenser.
  • Insert the new refill so that the V notch in the refill is at the top of the dispenser. Press the refill down so that it fits firmly under the nibs.

Missed Tablets

Table 2: Instructions for Missed ORTHO TRI-CYCLEN Lo Tablets
  • If one active tablet is missed in Weeks 1, 2, or 3
 Take the tablet as soon as possible. Continue taking one tablet a day until the pack is finished.
  • If two active tablets are missed in Week 1 or Week 2
 Take the two missed tablets as soon as possible and the next two active tablets the next day. Continue taking one tablet a day until the pack is finished. Additional non-hormonal contraception (such as condoms and spermicide) should be used as back-up if the patient has sex within 7 days after missing tablets.
  • If two active tablets are missed in the third week or three or more active tablets are missed in a row in Weeks 1, 2, or 3
 Day 1 start: Throw out the rest of the pack and start a new pack that same day.
Sunday start: Continue taking one tablet a day until Sunday, then throw out the rest of the pack and start a new pack that same day. Additional non-hormonal contraception (such as condoms and spermicide) should be used as back-up if the patient has sex within 7 days after missing tablets.

Advice in Case of Gastrointestinal Disturbances

In case of severe vomiting or diarrhea, absorption may not be complete and additional contraceptive measures should be taken. If vomiting or diarrhea occurs within 3 to 4 hours after taking an active tablet, handle this as a missed tablet [see FDA-Approved Patient Labeling].

Further information

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

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