How long does it take ortho-cyclen to be effective?
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Answers:
Hi pihljn, yes, you may need to use back-up birth control, such as condoms or a spermicide, when you first start using this medication(7-10day). Follow your doctor's instructions.
But you need know that some drugs can make Ortho Cyclen less effective, which may result in pregnancy. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use, including vitamins, minerals and herbal products. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor.
-phenylbutazone (Azolid, Butazolidin);
-St. John's wort;
-antibiotics such as amoxicillin (Augmentin), ampicillin (Omnipen), doxycycline (Doryx, Vibramycin), griseofulvin (Grisactin, Grifulvin V, Fulvicin PG), minocycline (Minocin), penicillin (Veetids, Pen Vee K, Bicillin), rifampin (Rifadin), rifabutin (Mycobutin), tetracycline (Sumycin, Achromycin, Robitet), and others;
-seizure medicines such as phenytoin (Dilantin), carbamazepine (Tegretol), felbamate (Felbatol), oxcarbazepine (Trileptal), topiramate (Topamax), or primidone (Mysoline);
-a barbiturate such as amobarbital (Amytal), butabarbital (Butisol), mephobarbital (Mebaral), secobarbital (Seconal), or phenobarbital (Luminal, Solfoton); or
-HIV medicines such as amprenavir (Agenerase), atazanavir (Reyataz), tipranavir (Aptivus), indinavir (Crixivan), saquinavir (Invirase), lopinavir/ritonavir (Kaletra), fosamprenavir (Lexiva), ritonavir (Norvir), or nelfinavir (Viracept).
There may be other drugs not listed that can affect Ortho Cyclen.
Also you need stop using this medication 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, low fever, loss of appetite, dark urine, -swelling in your hands, ankles, or feet; or
-symptoms of depression (sleep problems, weakness, mood changes).
Jason Homan
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