Get Informed: Ortho TRI-Cyclen

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Patient Comments about
Ortho TRI-Cyclen

Active Ingredient(s)

Ethinylestradiol with Norgestimate

What does it do?

Ortho TRI-Cyclen

This product is used primarily for oral contraception. It contains a progestin (norgestimate) and an estrogen (ethinylestradiol).

Last Text Update:
 2009-Nov-06 9:11 AM
Last Data Update:
 2009-Nov-07 8:28 AM

Other Names

  • Mononessa
  • Ortho Cyclen
  • Ortho TRI-Cyclen
  • Ortho-TRI-Cyclen 21
  • Ortho-TRI-Cyclen 28
  • Previfem
  • Sprintec
  • TRI-Previfem
  • TRI-Sprintec
  • Trinessa
  • Trinessa-28

How Safe Is It?

Your Risk Rating
Please log in
Average Risk Rating
0: On hold
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*
824,600
Generic Available
Yes
OTC Available
No

User Age Distribution*

98

< 21

0

21-39

0

40-59

2

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.

Other Resources

Recent alerts for Ortho TRI-Cyclen

There have been no alerts regarding Ortho TRI-Cyclen during the past year.

Ortho TRI-Cyclen Safety Report

0: On hold

The iGuard risk rating for Ortho TRI-Cyclen is on hold. It means that we're waiting for more patients taking this medication to join iGuard before we can provide a more accurate safety assessment of this product.

Learn more about iGuard's risk ratings

  • Please login or register (it's free) so iGuard can check how Ortho TRI-Cyclen interacts with other drugs and diseases in your profile.

What is Ortho TRI-Cyclen used for?

iGuard.org is currently tracking more than 4,700 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% 4
Irregular / Painful Periods 37% 5
Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome 2% 5
Acne 2% 5
Other 5% 5

How well does Ortho TRI-Cyclen work?

iGuard.org regularly polls our more than 4,700 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)

81 79
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 4,700 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%

28% of patients experience side-effects on Ortho TRI-Cyclen

0%

< 1% of patients experience signifcant side-effects on Ortho TRI-Cyclen


Most Common Side Effects...

  • 5% Nausea/Vomiting
  • 5% Breakthrough Bleeding
  • 5% Weight Gain
  • 5% 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 )

Comments, Questions, and Answers
Show Newest | Oldest first

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

Question/Comment:

i have been on ortho cyclen for 2 months now. i skipped my period between the first pack and the second pack. today i was planning on skipping my period again since i have been bleeding for 7 days, It started light then got heavy for 1-2 days. now it is lightened up again. i still have to wear a tampon. am i experienceing breakthrough bleeding? should i skip the placebos or should i start the new pack? or should i contact my NP? so many questions!!!

25 year old Female

Posted: 2009-08-10 12:13:19

Answer/Reply:

Just keep taking all the pills. I've been on the pill for over a year for treating ovarian cysts and when I first started I bled the first month solid. It can take months to not have bleeding between periods, just be patient. I say If you are still bleeding that hard by 4 months you should go to you doctor and maybe try a different pill. Even though almost all pills do the same thing, but each one effects your body in different ways. I also suggest if you are on a monophasic pill, you should try a triphasic because there is usually less bleeding and the hormone levels are most equivalent to a normal period.

18 year old Female

Posted: 2009-08-10 18:06:40

iGuard.org Answer/Reply:

There are very specific dosing requirements when you are taking an oral contraceptive for it to work optimally. There are various start dates for each dose regimen. You will need to contact your Nurse Practitioner to discuss the most appropriate schedule to get back on track with your Ortho Cyclen. It is particularly important that you adhere to the regimen you started (for example: 5th day of menstrual cycle start or 1st day of menstrual cycle start or other). There is also detailed information that you should have been given by your pharmacist with your Ortho Cyclen prescription which indicates what to do in case of any missed pills in a cycle. You can contact your pharmacist to request the patient information sheet if you do not have it. In addition you should utilize a backup method of contraception until you have been advised / counseled by your Nurse Practitioner.

Posted: 2009-08-13 15:42:21

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