TRIPHASIL DRUG INFO:
IMPORTANT NOTE:
The following information is intended to supplement, not
substitute for, the expertise and judgment of your
physician, pharmacist or other healthcare professional.
It should not be construed to indicate that use of the
drug is safe, appropriate, or effective for you. Consult
your healthcare professional before using Triphasil.
ORAL CONTRACEPTIVES
COMMON BRAND NAME(S): Brevicon, Demulen,
Lo/Ovral, Loestrin, Modicon, Nordette, Norinyl, Ortho-Novum,
Ovcon, Ovral, Triphasil
WARNING: Smoking cigarettes while using Triphasil
increases your chance of having heart problems. Do not
smoke while using Triphasil. The risk of heart problems
increases with age (in women greater than 35 years of
age) and with frequent smoking (15 cigarettes per day or
greater).
TRIPHASIL
USES:
Triphasil is 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. Consult your
doctor or pharmacist. Use of Triphasil does not protect
you or your partner against sexually transmitted
diseases (e.g., HIV, gonorrhea).
HOW TO USE TRIPHASIL: Take Triphasil with food or
immediately after a meal to prevent stomach upset. Try
to take Triphasil at the same time each day. This may
help you to remember to take it. Learn proper use of
your particular brand of medication. Follow your dosing
schedule carefully. Be sure to ask your doctor or
pharmacist if you have any questions. Use a supplemental
form of birth control during the first week of taking
Triphasil since it takes a while to be effective. Follow
your doctor's directions exactly if this drug is being
used as a "morning after" pill.
TRIPHASIL SIDE EFFECTS: Triphasil may cause
dizziness, headache, lightheadedness, stomach upset,
bloating, or nausea. If these effects persist or worsen,
contact your doctor. Notify your doctor if you
experience: severe depression, groin or calf pain,
sudden severe headache, chest pain, shortness of breath,
lumps in the breast, weakness or tingling in the arms or
legs, yellowing of the eyes or skin. If you notice other
effects not listed above, contact your doctor or
pharmacist.
TRIPHASIL PRECAUTIONS: Before you take Triphasil,
tell your doctor your entire medical history, including
family medical history, especially: asthma, high blood
pressure, kidney disease, liver heart disease, stroke,
history of jaundice (yellowing skin/eyes) or high blood
pressure 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,
Triphasil may cause a patchy, darkening of the skin on
the face (melasma). Higher strengths are more likely to
cause melasma. Sunlight may intensify this darkening and
you may need to avoid prolonged sun exposure and
sunlamps. Consult your doctor regarding use of
sunscreens and protective clothing. It may take a long
time for you to become pregnant after you stop taking
Triphasil. Consult your doctor. Do not smoke cigarettes.
Birth-control pills slightly increase your risk of
strokes, blood clots, high blood pressure, heart
attacks, gallbladder disease, vision problems, and liver
tumors. Cigarette smoking (especially 15 or more
cigarettes daily) and age (women older than 35/smokers
or 40/nonsmokers years of age) further increase the risk
of stroke, blood clots, high blood pressure and heart
attacks. Ask your pharmacist or doctor for a copy of the
patient labeling which explains these risks in more
detail. Consult your doctor for any questions, including
possible use in nonsmokers over 40 years of age. If you
are near-sighted or wear contact lenses, you may develop
vision problems. Also, your tolerance of the lenses may
decrease. Contact your eye doctor if these problems
occur. Before having surgery, including dental surgery,
tell the doctor that you take Triphasil. Triphasil must
not be used during pregnancy. If you become pregnant or
think you may be pregnant, inform your doctor
immediately. Triphasil passes into breast milk. This may
affect milk production and may have harmful effects on a
nursing infant. Consult your doctor before
breast-feeding.
TRIPHASIL DRUG INTERACTIONS: Tell your doctor
what prescription and nonprescription drugs you are
taking. Drugs that may decrease the effectiveness of the
pill 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, nelfinavir, ritonavir, St John's
wort, troglitazone. Ask your doctor if you should use
additional birth control methods while taking any of the
drugs mentioned above while taking birth control pills.
Also tell your doctor if you use: thyroid hormone drugs,
certain benzodiazepines (e.g., diazepam,
chlordiazepoxide), prednisone-like drugs, 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 drug. Birth
control pills may significantly intensify the effects of
alcohol. Consult your doctor or pharmacist about this.
Do not start or stop Triphasil without doctor or
pharmacist approval.
TRIPHASIL OVERDOSE: If overdose of Triphasil is
suspected, contact your local poison control center or
emergency room immediately. Symptoms of overdose may
include nausea and vomiting. Females may experience
vaginal bleeding.
TRIPHASIL NOTES: Do not allow anyone else to take
this medication. Keep all appointments with your doctor
and the laboratory. You should have a complete physical
examination, including blood pressure measurements,
breast and pelvic examinations, and a PAP test (for
vaginal cancer), at least once a year. Follow your
doctor's instructions for examining your own breasts,
and report any lumps immediately. A manufacturer's fact
sheet about this drug should be dispensed with each
prescription. Read the information carefully. Ask your
doctor or pharmacist any questions you may have.
TRIPHASIL MISSED DOSE: Triphasil missed dose
advice differs and depends on the brand used, and the
number of doses missed. Refer to the Triphasil product
package information for advice on missed doses. Ask your
doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions.
TRIPHASIL STORAGE: Store Triphasil at room
temperature between 59 and 86 degrees F (between 15 and
30 degrees C) away from moisture and sunlight. Do not
store in the bathroom. |
