Sprintec vs. Ortho Tri-Cyclen Lo

Sprintec (norgestimate and ethinyl estradiol) and Ortho Tri-Cyclen Lo (norgestimate, ethinyl estradiol) are combined oral contraceptives (COCs) used to prevent pregnancy.

Sprintec and Ortho Tri-Cyclen Lo are also used to treat severe acne.

• Side effects of Sprintec and Ortho Tri-Cyclen Lo that are similar include nausea (especially when you first start taking them), vaginal bleeding between menstrual periods (spotting) or missed/irregular periods (especially during the first few months of use), vomiting, headache, stomach cramping/bloating, changes in weight or appetite, dizziness, vaginal discomfort/irritation/itching, increased vaginal discharge, breast tenderness/enlargement, nipple discharge, freckles or darkening of facial skin, increased hair growth, loss of scalp hair, problems with contact lenses, and decreased sex drive. Acne may improve or get worse.
• Both Sprintec and Ortho Tri-Cyclen Lo may interact with phenylbutazone, St. John's wort, antibiotics, seizure medicines, barbiturates, or HIV medicines.

Common side effects of Sprintec include:

• nausea (especially when you first start taking Sprintec),
• vomiting,
• headache,
• stomach cramping/bloating,
• changes in weight or appetite,
• dizziness,
• vaginal discomfort/irritation/itching,
• increased vaginal discharge,
• breast tenderness/enlargement,
• nipple discharge,
• freckles or darkening of facial skin,
• increased hair growth,
• loss of scalp hair,
• problems with contact lenses, or
• decreased sex drive.
• Acne may improve or get worse.
• Bleeding between menstrual periods (spotting) or missed/irregular periods may occur, especially during the first few months of use of Sprintec.

Common side effects of Ortho Tri-Cyclen Lo include:

• nausea (especially when you first start taking Ortho Tri-Cyclen Lo),
• vomiting,
• headache,
• stomach cramping/bloating,
• dizziness,
• vaginal itching or discharge,
• increased vaginal fluids,
• breast tenderness or swelling,
• nipple discharge,
• freckles or darkening of facial skin,
• increased hair growth,
• loss of scalp hair,
• changes in weight or appetite,
• problems with contact lenses, or
• decreased sex drive.
• Acne may improve or get worse.
• Vaginal bleeding between periods (spotting) or missed/irregular menstrual periods may occur, especially during the first few months of use of Ortho Tri-Cyclen Lo.

Sprintec (norgestimate and ethinyl estradiol) is a combination of the female hormones estrogen and progesterone used as contraception to prevent pregnancy. Sprintec is also used to treat severe acne.

Ortho Tri-Cyclen Lo (norgestimate, ethinyl estradiol) contains a combination of female hormones used as contraception to prevent pregnancy. Ortho Tri-Cyclen Lo is also used to treat severe acne. Ortho Tri-Cyclen Lo is available in generic form.

Sprintec may interact with:

• phenylbutazone,
• St. John's wort,
• antibiotics,
• seizure medicines,
• barbiturates, or
• HIV medicines

Ortho Tri-Cyclen Lo may interact with phenylbutazone, St. John's wort, antibiotics, seizure medicines, barbiturates, or HIV medicines. Tell your doctor all medications you use. Ortho Tri-Cyclen Lo must not be used during pregnancy. If you have just given birth or had a pregnancy loss/abortion after the first 3 months, consult your doctor about birth control, and find out when it is safe to use birth control containing estrogen, such as this medication. This medication passes into breast milk. This may affect milk production and may have undesirable effects on a nursing infant. Consult your doctor before breastfeeding.

Sprintec is a 28-day regimen of tablets, with 21 days of active (containing hormones) tablets, and 7 days of inert tablets, taken as prescribed.

The dosage of Ortho Tri-Cyclen Lo is one white, light blue or dark blue "active" tablet taken daily from day 1 through day 21 of the menstrual cycle, counting the first day of menstrual flow as "Day 1" followed by one dark green "reminder" tablet daily for 7 days. Take tablets without interruption for 28 days, and start a new course the next day.