Ortho Tri-Cyclen Lo should not be used in girls
who have not yet begun menstruation.
Women with the following
conditions are not advised to take birth control pills, including Ortho
Tri-Cyclen Lo:
- Blood clots in the legs (thrombophlebitis),
in the lungs (pulmonary embolism), or in the eyes
- Breast cancer
or uterine, cervical, or vaginal cancer
- Breastfeeding
- Chest
pain (angina)
- History of deep vein thrombosis (blood clots in
the deep veins of the legs)
- History of heart attack or stroke
- Liver
tumors
- Planned surgery (within four weeks) with prolonged bed
rest
- Pregnancy or recent delivery
- Vaginal bleeding with
no known cause
- Yellowing of the eyes or the skin (jaundice)
during pregnancy or during previous use of birth control pills
Before starting Ortho Tri-Cyclen Lo treatment, be sure to tell your
doctor if you have ever experienced the following conditions, as you may
be at a greater risk for serious side effects:
- Abnormal
breast x-rays or mammograms
- Blood clotting disorders
- Breast
nodules
- Depression
- Diabetes
- Epilepsy
- Gallbladder,
heart, kidney, or liver disease
- High blood pressure
- High
cholesterol or triglycerides
- Irregular menstrual periods
- Migraine
or other headaches
What to Avoid When Taking the Drug:
Avoid excessive sunlight, sunlamps, or tanning
booths until you know how the medication will affect your body. Dark
spots on the face are possible, and you may be more sensitive to light.
Avoid smoking while taking birth control pills, especially if you
are a woman over the age of 35 or have other cardiovascular risk
factors.