General Info:

Millions of women have embraced the ORTHO EVRA birth control patch with great enthusiasm because it fits into their active lifestyles. In fact, 95% of women are satisfied with ORTHO EVRA as a discreet form of birth control. Women find ORTHO EVRA convenient and easy to use. In a clinical study, women who used the Patch were more likely to use it consistently and properly than women who took birth control pills.

ORTHO TRI-CYCLEN LO is a "triphasic" birth control pill just like ORTHO TRI-CYCLEN. While both ORTHO TRI-CYCLEN LO and ORTHO TRI-CYCLEN deliver low levels of progestin over the course of your cycle, ORTHO TRI-CYCLEN LO delivers a lower amount of estrogen-25 mcg compared to 35 mcg.

If you use a Sunday Start and you are taking ORTHO for the first time, you MUST use a backup method of birth control (such as condoms or spermicide) for the first 7 days. If you use a Day 1 Start, you are protected from becoming pregnant as soon as you take your first pill.

Most side effects of Ortho are not serious and those that are, occur infrequently. Serious risks, which can be life threatening, include blood clots, stroke and heart attacks and are increased if you smoke cigarettes. Cigarette smoking increases the risk of serious cardiovascular side effects, especially if you are over 35. Women who use oral contraceptives are strongly advised not to smoke. Some women should not use Ortho, including women who have blood clots, certain cancers, a history of heart attack or stroke, as well as those who are or may be pregnant. Ortho does not protect against HIV or sexually transmitted diseases.