Typical Dosage Recommendations

Patients should talk with their doctor and read the Ortho Tri-Cyclen patient information packet in its entirety before beginning treatment, as following the medication dosage guidelines is necessary to receive the fullest possible protection from pregnancy.

Ortho Tri-Cyclen is distributed as a pack of 28 pills, with 21 active pills that progress through white, light blue, and blue. Inactive pills are dark green.

Patients undergoing treatment with Ortho Tri-Cyclen should take one active pill in consecutive order a day for 21 days followed by one dark green tablet a day for seven consecutive days. After this cycle is finished, patients should begin a new pill pack the very next day. Patients may either begin treatment on the first Sunday after the start of their period (even if they are still bleeding) or within 24 hours of the start of their period. Patients undertaking the Sunday start should use an additional method of birth control during the first seven days of treatment.

Patients should take Ortho Tri-Cyclen every day at the same time.

Missing a Dose of Ortho Tri-Cyclen

Patients should take Ortho Tri-Cyclen every day, as missing pills increases the risk of pregnancy.

If you forget to take a pill during week one, two or three of the packet, take the pill as soon as you remember. This may mean you will take two pills during one day.

If you forget to take two pills during week one or two of the packet, take two pills on the day you remember and two pills on the following day. You will need to use a back-up birth control method for the next seven days.

If you forget to take two pills in the third week or three or more consecutive active pills anytime during the packet, follow the guidelines below.

For Sunday Starters:

• Continue taking one pill a day until Sunday. On Sunday throw away the rest of the pill pack and begin a new pack that day. You will need to use a back-up birth control method for the next seven days.

For Day One Starters:

• Throw away the rest of the pill pack and begin a new pack that day. You will need to use a back-up birth control method for the next seven days.

Ortho Tri-Cyclen Overdose

An overdose of Ortho Tri-Cyclen may result in nausea, withdrawal bleeding and other complications. Contact your doctor if you believe you or someone you know may have taken too much of this medication.