Get Informed: Ortho TRI-Cyclen
Active Ingredient(s)
Ethinylestradiol with Norgestimate
What does it do?
This product is used primarily for oral contraception. It contains a progestin (norgestimate) and an estrogen (ethinylestradiol).
- Last Text Update:
- 2009-Nov-20 7:55 PM
- Last Data Update:
- 2009-Nov-20 6:53 PM
Other Names
- Ortho TRI-Cyclen
- Ortho Cyclen
- Trinessa
- Sprintec
- TRI-Sprintec
- Trinessa-28
- Ortho-TRI-Cyclen 28
- Mononessa
- Ortho-TRI-Cyclen 21
- TRI-Previfem
- Previfem
How Safe Is It?
- Your Risk Rating
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- Average Risk Rating
-
- Pregnancy Category:
- X
Black Box Warning
This product has a black box warning relating to the increased risk of cardiovascular events in women who also smoke.
Facts & Figures
- Date Approved
- 29 Dec 1989
- Est US Patients*
- 820,300
- Generic Available
- Yes
- OTC Available
- No
User Age Distribution*
< 21
21-39
40-59
60+
Age (Years)
* Estimated number of US people currently taking Ortho TRI-Cyclen or its active ingredient based on population adjusted patient numbers registered with iGuard.org.
Recent alerts for Ortho TRI-Cyclen
There have been no alerts regarding Ortho TRI-Cyclen during the past year.
Ortho TRI-Cyclen Safety Report
Learn more about iGuard's risk ratings
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What is Ortho TRI-Cyclen used for?
iGuard.org is currently tracking more than 4,800 patients that use Ortho TRI-Cyclen (or similar drugs with the same active ingredient(s)). Use the table below to learn why iGuard users take this product; click on any underlined condition to get information on other medications used for treatment.
| Disease / Condition | % | Average Severity |
|---|---|---|
| Birth Control | 77% | 
|
| Irregular / Painful Periods | 37% | 
|
| Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome | 2% |
|
| Acne | 2% |
|
| Other | 5% |
|
How well does Ortho TRI-Cyclen work?
iGuard.org regularly polls our more than 4,800 users taking Ortho TRI-Cyclen (or similar drugs with the same active ingredient(s)) using the Treatment Satisfaction Questionnaire for Medications (TSQM) . This feedback is continuously updated in tables below for the benefit of the iGuard community. To request scores for specific patient subgroups, please contact research@iguard.org.
Average Satisfaction Score
(out of 10)
Average Effectiveness Score
(out of 10)
- 95%
- of patients are confident that the good things about Ortho TRI-Cyclen outweigh the bad things.
- 13%
- of patients wish they were told more before they started taking Ortho TRI-Cyclen.
Common Side Effects of Ortho TRI-Cyclen
iGuard.org regularly polls our more than 4,800 users taking Ortho TRI-Cyclen (or similar drugs with the same active ingredient(s)) to monitor the development and frequency of side-effects. This feedback is continuously updated in tables and graphs below for the benefit of the iGuard community.
28% of patients experience side-effects on Ortho TRI-Cyclen
< 1% of patients experience signifcant side-effects on Ortho TRI-Cyclen
Most Common Side Effects...
-
Nausea/Vomiting
-
Breakthrough Bleeding
-
Weight Gain
-
Mood/Behavior Problems
-
= 10%
Less than 1%: Bloating/Gas, Dryness, Headache, Increased Appetite, Mood/Behavior Changes, Muscle Pain, Weight Loss
Global Patient Feedback for Ortho TRI-Cyclen (Ethinylestradiol with Norgestimate) ( Post a comment )
Question/Comment:
I'm 27 I've been with my husband for 9 years, I'm over weight and my menstrual is very irregular.I was giving tri-previfem b/c to regular my mentrual but I aslo would like to get pregnant what can I do? I just start taken b/c on Nov 1, 09 at the sametime everyday would increase or decrease my chances in getting pregnant? Are Tri-previfem even good pills? Should I take the last row of pills? Its the one without hormones or something like that. I dont know Please help its all new to me. Thank you.
27 year old Female
Posted: 2009-11-17 08:26:14
Question/Comment:
I have been taking ortho cyclen since July of this year. Nothing has ever really gone wrong with it but recently I have been having some really bad anxiety attacks during the night and I cannot sleep. Is this because of the pills? Or is it because of something else?
16 year old Female
Posted: 2009-10-01 09:17:56
iGuard.org Answer/Reply:
Any time there is a hormone change, it can affect moods and anxiety. Side effects typically occur when the drug is started, not several months later, but it can happen regardless. Your anxiety and difficulty sleeping may also be related to some other cause. Speak with your doctor and see if he/she wants to change the birth control, or maybe prescribe something for anxiety or insomnia. Some women do much better on one birth control pill than another, and there are many available.
Posted: 2009-11-01 21:47:21
Question/Comment:
I just recently started Tri-Nessa. I've been on it for 4 days now. Ever since day 2, my entire abdomen has been cramped up - from my chest all the way down. It comes in waves and is very painful. I also experience some minor nausea on this medication. I always feel hungry but never want to eat. Is this a part of the side effects of this medication or should I call my doctor? If this is something that will fade with time then I won't even bother with calling the doc.
I was also off of birth control for a month due to switching doctors. I was on YAZ for probably 3 or 4 yrs prior to missing a month's worth of pills and being swtiched to Tri-Nessa. I have a feeling that this is playing a large part in my issues, but wanted to check in with peers. Thank you.
24 year old Female
Posted: 2009-08-26 09:45:40
Question/Comment:
I just recently started Tri-Nessa. I've been on it for 4 days now. Ever since day 2, my entire abdomen has been cramped up - from my chest all the way down. It comes in waves and is very painful. I also experience some minor nausea on this medication. I always feel hungry but never want to eat. Is this a part of the side effects of this medication or should I call my doctor? If this is something that will fade with time then I won't even bother with calling the doc.
I was also off of birth control for a month due to switching doctors. I was on YAZ for probably 3 or 4 yrs prior to missing a month's worth of pills and being swtiched to Tri-Nessa. I have a feeling that this is playing a large part in my issues, but wanted to check in with peers. Thank you.
24 year old Female
Posted: 2009-08-26 09:45:23
Answer/Reply:
Gosh - I dont know why it keeps re-posting..... I'm so sorry!!!!
24 year old Female
Posted: 2009-08-26 09:46:47
Question/Comment:
I have noticed that my urine has a very strong odor since I started taking orthocyclen. It is not dark in color at all, but smells awful. Is this serious or normal ? I have also got two yeast infections about one week before each of my two periods since I started this. I am on my third pack now. Thanks for your help.
37 year old Female
Posted: 2009-08-12 21:42:46
iGuard.org Answer/Reply:
Vaginal infections are a side effect of birth control pills. Perhaps there is something in your diet that is causing your urine to have such a strong odor, because it's not typically associated with birth control pills. Let your doctor know so he/she can perform a urine test and see if anything else is going on.
Posted: 2009-08-16 18:20:04
Answer/Reply:
I am experiencing the same problems. I have not been to the doctor yet... I was trying to wait until my annual exam in November, but I may just have to go. Let me know if you find out anything.
33 year old Female
Posted: 2009-08-20 13:20:32
You may post comments for the benefit of other patients or post questions other patients might be able to answer. Comments are submitted for possible publication on the condition that they may be edited. Only your age and gender will be published with your comment, although your other user details will be securely recorded for verification purposes.
Comments may be either questions or answers to previously posted questions. Any iGuard.org user may post questions and reply.
23
Patient Comments about
Ortho TRI-Cyclen