Triphasil

Triphasil

Generic Name: ethinyl estradiol and levonorgestrel (ETH in ill ess tra DYE ol and LEE vo nor JESS trel)

Brand Names: Alesse, Aviane, Enpresse, Lessina, Levlen, Levlite, Levora, Lutera, Lybrel, Nordette, Portia, Sronyx, Tri-Levlen, Triphasil, Trivora

What is Triphasil?

Ethinyl estradiol and levonorgestrel contains a combination of female hormones that prevent ovulation (the release of an egg from an ovary). This medication also causes changes 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.

Triphasil is used as contraception to prevent pregnancy.

Triphasil may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.

What is the most important information I should know about Triphasil?

Do not use Triphasil if you are pregnant or if you recently had a baby. Do not use Triphasil if you have a history of stroke or blood clot, circulation problems (especially if caused by diabetes), a hormone-related cancer such as breast or uterine cancer, abnormal vaginal bleeding, liver disease or liver cancer, severe high blood pressure, migraine headaches, a heart valve disorder, or a history of jaundice caused by birth control pills.

You may need to use back-up birth control, such as condoms or a spermicide, when you first start using Triphasil.

Taking hormones can increase your risk of blood clots, stroke, or heart attack, especially if you smoke and are older than 35.

Some drugs can make Triphasil less effective, which may result in pregnancy. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking Triphasil?

This medication can cause birth defects. Do not use if you are pregnant. Tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant, or if you miss two menstrual periods in a row. If you have recently had a baby, wait at least 4 weeks before taking Triphasil (6 weeks if you are breast-feeding). Do not use Triphasil if you have:

a history of a stroke or blood clot;

circulation problems (especially if caused by diabetes);

a hormone-related cancer such as breast or uterine cancer;

abnormal vaginal bleeding;

liver disease or liver cancer;

severe high blood pressure;

severe migraine headaches;

a heart valve disorder; or

a history of jaundice caused by birth control pills.

You may not be able to use Triphasil if you have certain conditions. Before using Triphasil, tell your doctor if you have:

high blood pressure, heart disease, congestive heart failure, angina (chest pain), or a history of heart attack;

high cholesterol or if you are overweight;

a history of depression;

gallbladder disease;

diabetes;

seizures or epilepsy;

a history of irregular menstrual cycles;

a history of fibrocystic breast disease, lumps, nodules, or an abnormal mammogram;

uterine fibroid tumors;

varicose veins; or

tuberculosis.

The hormones in Triphasil can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. Triphasil may also slow breast milk production. Do not use if you are breast-feeding a baby.

How should I take Triphasil?

Take Triphasil exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not take larger amounts, or take it for longer than recommended by your doctor. You will take your first pill on the first day of your period or on the first Sunday after your period begins (follow your doctor's instructions).

You may need to use back-up birth control, such as condoms or a spermicide, when you first start using this medication. Follow your doctor's instructions.

Some 28-day birth control packs contain seven "reminder" pills to keep you on your regular cycle. Your period will usually begin while you are using these reminder pills.

Breakthrough bleeding may occur, especially during the first 3 months. Tell your doctor if this bleeding continues or is very heavy.

Take one pill every day, no more than 24 hours apart. When the pills run out, start a new pack the next day. You may get pregnant if you do not use Triphasil regularly. Get your prescription refilled before you run out of pills completely.

If you need to have any type of medical tests or surgery, or if you will be on bed rest, you may need to stop using this medication for a short time. Any doctor or surgeon who treats you should know that you are using birth control pills.

Your doctor will need to see you on a regular basis while you are using Triphasil.

Store Triphasil at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Missing a pill increases your risk of becoming pregnant.

If you miss one "active" pill, take two pills on the day that you remember. Then take one pill per day for the rest of the pack.

If you miss two "active" pills in a row in week one or two, take two pills per day for two days in a row. Then take one pill per day for the rest of the pack. Use back-up birth control for at least 7 days following the missed pills.

If you miss two "active" pills in a row in week three, or if you miss three pills in a row during any of the first 3 weeks, throw out the rest of the pack and start a new one the same day if you are a Day 1 starter. If you are a Sunday starter, keep taking a pill every day until Sunday. On Sunday, throw out the rest of the pack and start a new one that day.

If you miss three "active" pills in a row during any of the first 3 weeks, throw out the rest of the pack and start a new pack on the same day if you are a Day 1 starter. If you are a Sunday starter, keep taking a pill every day until Sunday. On Sunday, throw out the rest of the pack and start a new one that day.

If you miss two or more pills, you may not have a period during the month. If you miss a period for two months in a row, call your doctor because you might be pregnant.

If you miss any reminder pills, throw them away and keep taking one pill per day until the pack is empty. You do not need back-up birth control if you miss a reminder pill.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this medicine. Symptoms of an overdose may include nausea, vomiting, and vaginal bleeding.

What should I avoid while taking Triphasil?

Do not smoke while using birth control pills, especially if you are older than 35. Smoking can increase your risk of blood clots, stroke, or heart attack caused by Triphasil.

Triphasil will not protect you from sexually transmitted diseases--including HIV and AIDS. Using a condom is the only way to protect yourself from these diseases.

Triphasil side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat. Stop using Triphasil and call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:

sudden numbness or weakness, especially on one side of the body;

sudden headache, confusion, pain behind the eyes, problems with vision, speech, or balance;

chest pain or heavy feeling, pain spreading to the arm or shoulder, nausea, sweating, general ill feeling;

a change in the pattern or severity of migraine headaches;

nausea, stomach pain, loss of appetite, dark urine, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes);

swelling in your hands, ankles, or feet; or

symptoms of depression (sleep problems, weakness, mood changes).

Keep taking the medication and talk to your doctor if you have less serious side effects such as:

mild nausea, vomiting, bloating, stomach cramps;

breast pain, tenderness, or swelling;

freckles or darkening of facial skin;

increased hair growth, loss of scalp hair;

changes in weight or appetite;

problems with contact lenses;

vaginal itching or discharge;

changes in your menstrual periods, decreased sex drive; or

headache, nervousness, dizziness, tired feeling.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Tell your doctor about any unusual or bothersome side effect. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

See also: Triphasil side effects (in more detail)

What other drugs will affect Triphasil?

Some drugs can make Triphasil less effective, which may result in pregnancy. Before using Triphasil, tell your doctor if you are using any of the following drugs:

acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ascorbic acid (vitamin C);

prednisolone (Orapred);

theophylline (Respbid, Theo-Dur);

cyclosporine (Neoral, Sandimmune, Gengraf);

St. John's wort;

antibiotic such as penicillin, tetracycline, amoxicillin (Augmentin), ampicillin (Omnipen), doxycycline (Doryx, Vibramycin), griseofulvin (Grisactin, Grifulvin, Fulvicin), minocycline (Minocin), rifampin (Rifadin), rifabutin (Mycobutin), and others;

seizure medicines such as phenytoin (Dilantin), carbamazepine (Tegretol), felbamate (Felbatol), oxcarbazepine (Trileptal), topiramate (Topamax), primidone (Mysoline), an others;

a barbiturate sedative such as secobarbital (Seconal), or phenobarbital (Luminal, Solfoton); or

HIV or AIDS medications.

This list is not complete and there may be other drugs not listed that can affect Triphasil. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor.

More Triphasil resources

Triphasil Side Effects (in More Detail)

Triphasil Use in Pregnancy & Breastfeeding

Triphasil Drug Interactions

Triphasil Support Group

0 Reviews for Triphasil - Add your own review/rating

Triphasil Advanced Consumer (Micromedex) - Includes Dosage Information

Triphasil Prescribing Information (FDA)

Alesse Prescribing Information (FDA)

Alesse MedFacts Consumer Leaflet (Wolters Kluwer)

Enpresse Prescribing Information (FDA)

Jolessa Prescribing Information (FDA)

Jolessa MedFacts Consumer Leaflet (Wolters Kluwer)

Lessina Prescribing Information (FDA)

Levlite Prescribing Information (FDA)

Levora Prescribing Information (FDA)

LoSeasonique MedFacts Consumer Leaflet (Wolters Kluwer)

LoSeasonique Prescribing Information (FDA)

Lybrel Prescribing Information (FDA)

Lybrel MedFacts Consumer Leaflet (Wolters Kluwer)

Nordette Prescribing Information (FDA)

Portia Prescribing Information (FDA)

Quasense Prescribing Information (FDA)

Seasonale Prescribing Information (FDA)

Seasonique Prescribing Information (FDA)

Sronyx Prescribing Information (FDA)

Compare Triphasil with other medications

Abnormal Uterine Bleeding

Birth Control

Endometriosis

Gonadotropin Inhibition

Ovarian Cysts

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

Where can I get more information?

Your pharmacist can provide more information about Triphasil.

What does my medication look like?

Ethinyl estradiol and levonorgestrel is available with a prescription under several brand names including Triphasil and may also be available as a generic. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about Triphasil, especially if it is new to you.