Triphasil (commonly known as “The Pill”) is used to prevent unwanted pregnancy and is sometimes administered for the regulation of the menstrual cycle. It is an oral contraceptive which contains two active ingredients (levonorgestrel and ethinyloestradiol). These resemble natural body hormones.
In order for the pill to exercise its full effect, prescription instructions must be followed strictly and Triphasil-21 Tablets must be taken at intervals not exceeding 24 hours. Triphasil-21 Tablets are administered in three phases. The recommended dose is one tablet daily for 21 consecutive days. Tablets are taken in the following succession: Phase 1 -6 brown tablets, Phase 2 – 5 white tablets, Phase 3 – the last 10 light-yellow tablets. This is followed by one week free of tablets (three weeks on, one week off). Triphasil-21 Tablets should be taken at the same time each day, preferably after the evening meal or at bedtime in order to avoid missing a dose. During the first cycle of medication, the patient should be instructed to take one Triphasil-21 Tablet daily in the order of 6 brown, 5 white and, finally, 10 light-yellow tablets, for twenty-one (21) consecutive days, beginning on day one (1) of her menstrual cycle.
Warnings Precautions
After termination of the birth control pills, it may take a long time for pregnancy to occur and you should consult your doctor before beginning the therapy. Birth-control pills slightly increase the risk of strokes, blood clots, high blood pressure, heart attacks, gallbladder disease, vision problems, and liver tumors.If you have a history of asthma, high blood pressure, kidney, liver or heart disease, stroke, history of jaundice (yellowing skin/eyes) or high blood pressure during pregnancy, excessive weight gain or fluid retention during menstrual cycle, blood clots, heart attack, seizures, migraine headaches, breast cancer, high cholesterol blood level or lipids (fats), diabetes, depression, notify your doctor. Triphasil may result in patchy, darkening of facial skin (melasma) depending on the dosage. Higher dosage is more likely to cause melasma. This condition may be aggravated by exposure to sunlight or sunlamps and thus should be avoided. You may be required to use sunscreen and protective clothing. Do not smoke. Cigarette smoking (especially 15 or more cigarettes daily) and age (women older than 35/smokers or 40/nonsmokers years of age) further increase the risk of stroke, blood clots, high blood pressure and heart attacks. Read carefully the possible side affects section in the leaflet provided with this medicine and ask your doctor for clarification on the possible risk for non-smokers over 40 years of age. Cases of vision problems have been reported in patients who are near-sighted or wear contact lenses. Tolerance to contact lenses may also be reduced and should you experience such problems you should contact your eye doctor. Notify your doctor that you are taking birth control pills before having any surgery performed. Do not take Triphasil if you are pregnant. Inform your doctor immediately if you become pregnant or think you might be pregnant. Triphasil is passed onto breast milk thus affecting lactation and harming nursing infants. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.
Missing a Dose
The effect of Triphasil may be reduced in case of missing a brown, white or light yellow “active” pill and especially in case of missing the first few brown or the last few light-yellow “active” pills.
In case of missing 1 brown, white or light-yellow active pill, take it as soon as you remember. Resume your regular schedule and take the next pill as usual. This means you will take 2 pills in 1 day. In case of sexual intercourse no back-up contraceptive method is required. If you have sexual intercourse in the 7 days after missing a pill, you may become pregnant. You MUST use a back-up birth-control method (such as condoms, spermicide, or sponge) during these 7 days.
In case of missing 2 brown, white or light-yellow active pills in a row in THE 3rd WEEK:
1. If you are a Day 1 Starter:
Dispose of the pill pack and start a new pack on the same day.
If you are a Sunday Starter:
Keep taking 1 pill every day until Sunday. On Sunday, dispose of the pack and start a new pack of pills on the same day. You may miss your period that month but this is an expected effect of missing a pill. If you miss your period 2 months in a row, contact your doctor as you might have become pregnant. If you have sexual intercourse in the 7 days after missing a pill you may become pregnant and a back-up contraceptive birth-control method (such as condoms, spermicide, or sponge) must be used during these 7 days.
In case of missing 3 OR MORE brown, white or light-yellow active pills in a row (during the first 3 weeks):
1. If you are a Day 1 Starter:
Dispose of the pack and start a new pack on the same day.
If you are a Sunday Starter:
Keep taking 1 pill every day until Sunday. On Sunday, dispose of the pack and start a new pack of pills on the same day. You may miss your period this month but this is an expected effect of missing a pill. If you miss your period 2 months in a row, contact your doctor as you might have become pregnant. If you have sexual intercourse in the 7 days after missing a pill, you might become pregnant. A back-up contraceptive method (such as condoms, spermicide, or sponge) must be used during these 7 days.
Possible Side Effects
If you experience severe depression, groin or calf pain, sudden severe headache, chest pain, shortness of breath, lumps in the breast, weakness or tingling in the arms or legs, yellowing of the eyes or skin, notify your doctor. Triphasil may cause dizziness, headache, lightheadedness, stomach upset, bloating, or nausea. Contact your doctor if these symptoms persist or intensify. If you detect any other symptoms that appear unusual, contact your doctor or pharmacist.
Storage
Store at room temperature of between 59 and 86 degrees F (between 15 and 30 degrees C). Do not expose to moisture and sunlight.
Overdose
Nausea and withdrawal bleeding are among the symptoms of a Triphasil overdose. If you suspect an overdose, seek medical help. No cases of serious side effects have been reported in children having swollen a large dose of oral contraceptives.
More Information
Before prescribing oral contraceptives, your doctor will take a record of your medical and family history, and will perform an examination. The physical examination may be postponed at your request. Annual reexaminations must be performed. In case there is family history of any of the above-listed conditions, notify your doctor. Regular examinations will determine whether early signs of side effects of oral-contraceptive use exist and the appointment schedule must be strictly adhered to. Use Triphasil only as a contraceptive. The prescription is personal and should not be passed on to others as a contraceptive method.
Triphasil resources:
http://www.drugs.com/triphasil.html
http://ec.princeton.edu/Pills/triphasl.html
http://www.drugdigest.org/DD/DVH/Uses/0,3915,6435%7CTriphasil,00.html
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