Ortho-Cyclen
Generic name:ethinyl estradiol and norgestimate [ ETH-i-nil-ES-tra-DYE-ol-and-nor-JES-ti-mate ]
Drug class:Contraceptives
The Ortho Cyclen brand name has been discontinued in the U.S. If generic versions of this product have been approved by the FDA, there may be generic equivalents available.
What is Ortho-Cyclen?
Ortho-Cyclen contains a combination of female hormones, (ethinyl estradiol and norgestimate), that prevent ovulation (the release of an egg from an ovary). Ethinyl estradiol and norgestimate also causes a change in your cervical mucus and uterine lining, making it harder for sperm to reach the uterus and harder for a fertilized egg to attach to the uterus.
Ortho-Cyclen is used as contraception to prevent pregnancy.
Ortho-Cyclen is also used to treat moderate acne vulgaris in females who are at least 15 old. This medicine should be used for the treatment of acne only if the patient desires an oral contraceptive for birth control.
Warnings
Do not use Ortho-Cyclen if you are pregnant or if you have recently had a baby.
You should not use Ortho-Cyclen if you have: uncontrolled high blood pressure, heart disease, coronary artery disease, circulation problems (especially with diabetes), undiagnosed vaginal bleeding, liver disease or liver cancer, severe migraine headaches, if you also take certain hepatitis C medication, if you have major surgery, if you smoke and are over 35, or if you have ever had a heart attack, a stroke, a blood clot, jaundice caused by pregnancy or birth control pills, or cancer of the breast, uterus/cervix, or vagina.
Taking Ortho-Cyclen can increase your risk of blood clots, stroke, or heart attack.
Smoking can greatly increase your risk of blood clots, stroke, or heart attack. You should not take Ortho-Cyclen if you smoke and are over 35 years old.
Before taking this medicine
Taking Ortho-Cyclen can increase your risk of blood clots, stroke, or heart attack. You are even more at risk if you have high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol, or if you are overweight. Your risk of stroke or blood clot is highest during your first year of taking Ortho-Cyclen. Your risk is also high when you restart taking combination birth control pills after not taking them for 4 weeks or longer.
Smoking can greatly increase your risk of blood clots, stroke, or heart attack. Your risk increases the older you are and the more you smoke. You should not take combination birth control pills if you smoke and are over 35 years old.
Do not use if you are pregnant. Stop using this medicine and tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant, or if you miss two menstrual pe...
