Triphasil

This medicine is an estrogen and progestin combination contraceptive pill used to prevent pregnancy. It may also be used to regulate the menstrual cycle, treat symptoms of menopause, or treat other conditions as determined by your doctor.

For all cycles:
21-day schedule:
If you miss one dose, take it as soon as you remember and then take the next pill at the regular time as usual. You may take 2 tablets in one day. If you miss two doses (days) in a row, take 2 tablets the day you remember and 2 tablets the next day, then, continue with your regular schedule. Whenever 1 or 2 doses are missed, you should use a second method of contraception for the next 7 days in addition to taking the pills. If you miss three doses in a row, you should notify your physician or other health care professional for instructions. You will probably need to throw away the rest of the tablets in that cycle pack and start over. Another method of contraception should be used until at least 7 doses have been taken in the new cycle. Missing a pill can cause spotting or light bleeding. Make sure that no more than 7 days pass at the end of the 21 day cycle, before you start your next pack of pills.

Severe side effects are relatively rare in women who are healthy and do not smoke while they are taking oral contraceptives.
The following symptoms or side effects may be related to blood clots and require immediate medical or emergency help:
•chest pain
•coughing up blood
•dizziness or fainting spells
•leg, arm or groin pain
•severe or sudden headaches
•stomach pain (severe)
•sudden shortness of breath
•sudden loss of coordination, especially on one side of the body
•swelling of the hands, feet or ankles, or rapid weight gain
•vision or speech problems
•weakness or numbness in the arms or legs, especially on one side of the body
Contact your health care provider as soon as you can.

•antibiotics or medicines for infections, especially rifampin
•aprepitant
•barbiturate medicines for producing sleep or treating seizures (convulsions)
•bosentan
•carbamazepine
•caffeine
•clofibrate
•cyclosporine
•dantrolene
•doxercalciferol
•grapefruit juice
•hydrocortisone
•medicines for anxiety or sleeping problems, such as diazepam or temazepam
•medicines for mental depression
•medicines for diabetes, including troglitazone and pioglitazone
•mineral oil
•modafinil
•mycophenolate
•nefazodone
•oxcarbazepine
•phenytoin
•prednisolone
•ritonavir or other medicines for the treatment of the HIV virus or AIDS
•selegiline
•soy isoflavones supplements
•St. John's wort
•tamoxifen or raloxifene
•theophylline
•topiramate
•warfarin

Tell your prescriber or health care professional about all other medicines you are taking, including non-prescription medicines, nutritional supplements, or herbal products. Also tell your prescriber or health care professional if you are a frequent user of drinks with caffeine or alcohol, if you smoke, or if you use illegal drugs. These may affect the way your medicine works. Check before stopping or starting any of your medicines.

If overdose is suspected, contact your local poison control center or emergency room immediately. Symptoms of overdose may include nausea, vomiting, and vaginal bleeding.

28-day schedule:
Follow the same directions as above for the first 21 days of the schedule. If you miss 1 of the last 7 pills, you can either double the dose or skip it, but it is important to start the next month's cycle on the scheduled day.

91-day schedule:
If you miss one dose for the first 84 days of the schedule, take it as soon as you remember. Take the next pill at your regular time as usual, which means you may take 2 tablets in one day. If you miss 2 doses (days) in a row, take 2 tablets on the day you remember and 2 tablets the next day. Then, continue with your regular schedule. You could become pregnant if you have sex in the 7 days after you miss 2 doses in a row. You should use another method of birth control during the 7 days after you restart your pills. If you miss 3 doses (days) in a row, you will not take any of the 3 pills that you missed. Restart taking your pills for the actual day you restart. For example, if you resume taking the pill on Thursday, take the pill under 'Thursday' and do not take the missed pills. Keep taking 1 pill every day until you have completed all of the remaining pills in the pack. You may experience bleeding during the week following the missed pills. You could become pregnant if you have sex in the 7 days after you miss 3 doses in a row. You should use another method of birth control during the 7 days after you restart your pills. If you miss any of the last 7 pills, throw away the missed pills. You will not need a back-up method of birth control. Keep taking the scheduled pills until the pack is finished.

If you miss a dose of an emergency contraceptive prescription, or vomit the dose within an hour of taking it, you MUST contact your health care professional for instructions.

ETHINYL ESTRADIOL/LEVONORGESTREL products are effective as oral contraceptives (birth control pills or "the pill"). These products combine natural or synthetic estrogens and progestins, similar to the natural sex hormones (estrogen and progesterone) produced in a woman's body. Ethinyl estradiol is an estrogen and levonorgestrel is a progestin. These products can prevent ovulation and pregnancy. In general, a combination of estrogen and progestin works better than a single-ingredient product.

Keep out of the reach of children.

Store at room temperature between 15 and 30 degrees C (59 and 86 degrees F). Keep container tightly closed. Throw away any unused medicine after the expiration date.

Visit your prescriber or health care provider for regular checks on your progress. You should have a complete check-up every 6 to 12 months. If you have any unusual vaginal bleeding contact your doctor or health care provider for advice. If you miss a period, the possibility of pregnancy must be considered. See your prescriber or health care professional as soon as you can.