|
|
|
|
|
Oral Contraceptives |
|
|
|
- Description - |
Oral contraceptives (also known as "The Pill") are highlyeffective meansof preventing pregnancy. Oral contraceptives consist of syntheticforms oftwo hormones produced naturally in the body: either progestin aloneorestrogen and progestin. Estrogen and progestin regulate a woman'smenstrualcycle, and the fluctuating levels of these hormones play anessential rolein fertility.
To reduce side effects, oral contraceptives are available in awide range ofestrogen and progestin concentrations. Progestin-only products(such asMicronor) are usually prescribed for women who should avoidestrogens;however, they may not be as effective as estrogen/progestincontraceptives.
One variety of the Pill--the Ortho Tri-Cyclen 28-dayDialpak--is alsoused in the treatment of moderate acne in women aged 15 and older.It is takenjust as it would be for contraception. |
|
|
- Common Side Effects - |
|
Abdominal cramps,acne,appetite changes,bladder infection,bleeding in spots during a menstrual period,bloating,blood clots,breast tenderness or enlargement,cancer of the reproductive organs,cataracts,chest pain,contact lens discomfort,decreased flow of milk when given immediately after birth,depression,difficulty breathing,dizziness,fluid retention,gallbladder disease,growth of face, back, chest, or stomach hair,hair loss,headache,heart attack,high blood pressure,inflammation of the large intestine,kidney trouble,lack of menstrual periods,liver tumors,lumps in the breast,menstrual pattern changes,migraine,muscle,joint,or leg pain,nausea,nervousness,pancreatitis,premenstrual syndrome (PMS),secretion of milk,severe allergic reactions,sex drive changes,skin infection,skin rash or discoloration,stomach cramps,stroke,swelling,temporary infertility,unexplained bleeding in the vagina,vaginal inflammation or discharge,vaginal infections (and/or burning and itching),visual disturbances and loss |
|
|
- Possible Interactions - |
Acetaminophen (Tylenol)
Amitriptyline (Elavil, Endep)
Ampicillin (Principen, Totacillin)
Aspirin
Atorvastatin (Lipitor)
Barbiturates (phenobarbital, Seconal)
Carbamazepine (Tegretol)
Chloramphenicol (Chloromycetin)
Clofibrate (Questran)
Clomipramine (Anafranil)
Cyclosporine (Neoral, Sandimmune)
Diazepam (Valium)
Doxepin (Sinequan)
Fluconazole (Diflucan)
Glipizide (Glucotrol)
Griseofulvin (Fulvicin, Grisactin)
HIV protease inhibitor drugs such as Crixivan
Imipramine (Tofranil)
Lorazepam (Ativan)
Metoprolol (Lopressor)
Modafinil (Provigil)
Morphine (MS Contin)
Oxazepam (Serax)
Penicillin (Veetids, Pen-Vee K)
Phenylbutazone (Butazolidin)
Phenytoin (Dilantin)
Prednisolone (Prelone, Pediapred)
Prednisone (Deltasone)
Primidone (Mysoline)
Propranolol (Inderal)
Rifabutin (Mycobutin)
Rifampin (Rifadin, Rimactane)
St. John's Wort
Sulfonamides (Bactrim, Septra)
Temazepam (Restoril)
Tetracyclin |
|
|
|
|
|
|