Drug Uses
Triphasil is an oral contraceptive used to prevent pregnancy, also to regulate your menstrual cycle. Some brands of birth control pills can be used for treating acne or as a pill for emergency contraception ("morning after"). Please consult your doctor or pharmacist. By using of this medication you or your partner are not protected against sexually transmitted diseases like HIV, gonorrhea etc.
How Taken
This medication is to be taken with food or immediately after a meal (to prevent stomach upset). If it is possible, try to take this medication at the same time each day, this makes easier for you to remember to take it. You should learn the proper use of your particular medication brand. Follow carefully your dosing schedule and always ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions. During the first week of taking this medication you should use a supplemental form of birth control since it takes a while to be effective. If used as a "morning after" pill, please follow the directions from your doctor.
Warning
Chances of having heart problems increase if you smoke cigarettes while using this medication. Do not smoke while using this medication. The risk of heart problems is growing with frequent smoking (more than 15 cigarettes per day) and with age (in women greater than 35 years of age).
Precautions
This drug must not be used during pregnancy. Inform your doctor immediately if you become pregnant or think you may be pregnant. This medication passes into breast milk and may affect milk production (may have harmful effects on a nursing infant). Consult your doctor before breast-feeding. Before taking this medication, you should tell your doctor your entire medical history, including your family medical history, with special focus on: high blood pressure, asthma, stroke, kidney disease, liver heart disease, blood clots, heart attack, history of jaundice (yellowing skin/eyes) or high blood pressure during pregnancy, excessive weight gain or fluid retention during menstrual cycle, seizures, migraine headaches, breast cancer, high blood level of cholesterol or lipids (fats), diabetes, depression. This drug may cause a patchy, darkening of the skin on the face (melasma), depending on strength (higher strengths are more likely to cause melasma). This darkening could be intensified by sunlight, you may need to avoid prolonged sun exposure and sunlamps. Consult your doctor regarding use of sunscreens and protective clothing. After you stop taking birth control pills, it may take a long time for you to become pregnant. Consult your doctor. Do not smoke cigarettes. Birth-control pills slightly increase your risk of strokes, heart attacks, gallbladder disease, blood clots, high blood pressure, vision problems, and liver tumors. The risk of stroke, blood clots, high blood pressure and heart attacks further increases with cigarette smoking (especially 15 or more cigarettes daily) and age (women older than 35/smokers or 40/nonsmokers years of age). Ask your pharmacist or doctor for a copy of the patient labeling which explains these risks in more detail. If you have any questions please consult your doctor, including questions regarding possible use in nonsmokers over 40 years of age. You may develop vision problems if you are near-sighted or wear contact lenses and your tolerance of the lenses may decrease. Contact your eye doctor if these problems occur. Tell the doctor that you take birth control pills before having surgery, including dental surgery.
Interactions
Tell your doctor about all prescription and nonprescription drugs you are taking. Drugs such as 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 may decrease the effectiveness of the pill. 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 any medicine without doctor or pharmacist approval.
Over Dose
Contact your local poison control center or emergency room immediately if you suspect an overdose. The symptoms of overdose could be nausea and vomiting. Females may experience vaginal bleeding.
Missed Dose
Missed dose advice depends on the brand used, the number of doses missed. Product package information should include advice on missed doses. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions.
Possible Side Effects
This medication may cause headache, dizziness, lightheadedness, stomach upset, bloating, or nausea. Contact your doctor if these effects persist or worsen or if you experience: groin or calf pain, sudden severe headache, severe depression, 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.
Storage
This medication should be stored 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.
Notes
You should keep all appointments with your doctor and the laboratory. At least once a year you should have a complete physical examination (blood pressure, breast and pelvic examinations, PAP test for vaginal cancer). Do not allow anyone else to take this medication. 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.
Disclaimer
This drug information is for your information purposes only, it is not intended that this information covers all uses, directions, drug interactions, precautions, or adverse effects of your medication. This is only general information, and should not be relied on for any purpose. It should not be construed as containing specific instructions for any particular patient. We disclaim all responsibility for the accuracy and reliability of this information, and/or any consequences arising from the use of this information, including damage or adverse consequences to persons or property, however such damages or consequences arise. No warranty, either expressed or implied, is made in regards to this information.
