Tri-Sprintec (Page 8 of 9)

Instructions For Use

Tri-Sprintec® [trī- sprin-tek]

(norgestimate and ethinyl estradiol tablets)

Important Information about taking Tri-Sprintec

Take 1 pill every day at the same time. Take the pills in the order directed on your blister pack tablet dispenser.
Do not skip your pills, even if you do not have sex often. If you miss pills (including starting the pack late) you could get pregnant. The more pills you miss, the more likely you are to get pregnant.
If you have trouble remembering to take Tri-Sprintec, talk to your healthcare provider. When you first start taking Tri-Sprintec, spotting or light bleeding in between your periods may occur. Contact your healthcare provider if this does not go away after a few months.
You may feel sick to your stomach (nauseous), especially during the first few months of taking Tri-Sprintec. If you feel sick to your stomach, do not stop taking the pill. The problem will usually go away. If your nausea does not go away, call your healthcare provider.
Missing pills can also cause spotting or light bleeding, even when you take the missed pills later. On the days you take 2 pills to make up for missed pills (see What should I do if I miss any Tri-Sprintec pills? below), you could also feel a little sick to your stomach.
It is not uncommon to miss a period. However, if you miss a period and have not taken Tri-Sprintec according to directions, or miss 2 periods in a row, or feel like you may be pregnant, call your healthcare provider. If you have a positive pregnancy test, you should stop taking Tri-Sprintec.
If you have vomiting or diarrhea within 3 to 4 hours of taking your pill, take another pill of the same color from your extra tablet dispenser. If you do not have an extra tablet dispenser, take the next pill in your tablet dispenser. Continue taking all your remaining pills in order. Start the first pill of your next blister pack tablet dispenser the day after finishing your current tablet dispenser. This will be 1 day earlier than originally scheduled. Continue on your new schedule.
If you have vomiting or diarrhea for more than 1 day, your birth control pills may not work as well. Use an additional birth control method, like condoms and a spermicide, until you check with your healthcare provider.
Stop taking Tri-Sprintec at least 4 weeks before you have major surgery and do not restart after the surgery without asking your healthcare provider. Be sure to use other forms of contraception (like condoms and spermicide) during this time period.

Before you start taking Tri-Sprintec:

Decide what time of day you want to take your pill. It is important to take it at the same time every day and in the order as directed on your tablet dispenser.
Have backup contraception (condoms and spermicide) available and if possible, an extra full pack of pills as needed.

When should I start taking Tri-Sprintec?

If you start taking Tri-Sprintec andyou have not used a hormonal birth control method before:

There are 2 ways to start taking your birth control pills. You can either start on a Sunday (Sunday Start) or on the first day (Day 1) of your natural menstrual period (Day 1 Start). Your healthcare provider should tell you when to start taking your birth control pill.
If you use the Sunday Start, use non-hormonal back-up contraception such as condoms and spermicide for the first 7 days that you take Tri-Sprintec. You do not need back-up contraception if you use the Day 1 Start.

If you start taking Tri-Sprintec and you are switching from another birth control pill:

Start your new Tri-Sprintec pack on the same day that you would start the next pack of your previous birth control method.
Do not continue taking the pills from your previous birth control pack.

If you start taking Tri-Sprintec and previously used a vaginal ring or transdermal patch:

Start using Tri-Sprintec on the day you would have reapplied the next ring or patch.

If you start taking Tri-Sprintec and you are switching from a progestin-only method such as an implant or injection:

Start taking Tri-Sprintec on the day of removal of your implant or on the day when you would have had your next injection.

If you start taking Tri-Sprintec andyou are switching from an intrauterine device or system (IUD or IUS):

Start taking Tri-Sprintec on the day of removal of your IUD or IUS.
You do not need back-up contraception if your IUD or IUS is removed on the first day (Day 1) of your period. If your IUD or IUS is removed on any other day, use non-hormonal back-up contraception such as condoms and spermicide for the first 7 days that you take Tri-Sprintec.

Keep a calendar to track your period:

If this is the first time you are taking birth control pills, read, “When should I start taking Tri-Sprintec? ” above. Follow these instructions for either a Sunday Start or a Day 1 Start.

Sunday Start:

You will use a Sunday Start if your healthcare provider told you to take your first pill on a Sunday.

Take pill 1 on the Sunday after your period starts.
If your period starts on a Sunday, take pill “1 ” that day and refer to Day 1 Start instructions below.
Take 1 pill every day in the order on the tablet dispenser at the same time each day for 28 days.
After taking the last pill on Day 28 from tablet dispenser, start taking the first pill from a new pack, on the same day of the week as the first pack (Sunday). Take the first pill in the new pack whether or not you are having your period.
Use non-hormonal back-up contraception such as condoms and spermicide for the first 7 days of the first cycle that you take Tri-Sprintec.

Day 1 Start:

You will use a Day 1 Start if your doctor told you to take your first pill (Day 1) on the first day of your period.

Take 1 pill every day in the order of the blister pack tablet dispenser, at the same time each day, for 28 days.
After taking the last pill on Day 28 from the pill dispenser, start taking the first pill from a new pack, on the same day of the week as the first pack. Take the first pill in the new pack whether or not you are having your period.

Tri-Sprinteccomes in a blister pack tablet dispenser.

How to Use the Blister Cards

There are two ways to start taking birth control pills, Sunday Start or Day 1 Start. Your healthcare professional will tell you which to use.

1.
Pick the Days of the Week Sticker that starts the first day of your period. (This is the day you begin bleeding or spotting, even if it is midnight when bleeding begins.) When you have picked the right sticker, throw away the others and place the sticker on the blister card over the pre-printed days of the week and make sure it lines up with the pills.
2.
Your blister package consists of three parts, the foil pouch, wallet, and a blister pack containing 28 individually sealed pills. Note that the pills are arranged in four numbered rows of 7 pills, with the pre-printed days of the week printed above them. There are 7 gray “active” pills, 7 light blue “active” pills, 7 blue “active” pills, and 7 white “reminder” pills. Refer to the sample of the blister card below:
Blister
(click image for full-size original)
3.
After taking the last white pill, start a new blister card the very next day no matter when your period started. You will be taking a pill every day without interruption. Anytime you start the pills later than directed, protect yourself by using another method of birth control until you have taken a pill a day for seven consecutive days. After taking the last white pill, start taking the first gray pill from the blister card the very next day.
4.
Take the pills in each new package as before. Start with the gray pill on row #1 and take one pill each day, left to right, until the last white pill has been taken.

Three Ways to Remember in What Order to Take the Pills

1.
Follow the sticker with the days of the week (placed above the pills).
2.
Always go from left to right.
3.
Always finish all your pills.

What should I do if I miss any Tri-Sprintec pills?

If you miss 1 pill in Weeks 1, 2, or 3, follow these steps:

Take it as soon as you remember. Take the next pill at your regular time. This means you may take 2 pills in 1 day.
Then continue taking 1 pill every day until you finish the pack.
You do not need to use a back-up birth control method if you have sex.

If you miss 2 pills in Week 1 or Week 2 of your pack, follow these steps:

Take the 2 missed pills as soon as possible and the next 2 pills the next day.
Then continue to take 1 pill every day until you finish the pack.
Use a non-hormonal birth control method (such as a condom and spermicide) as a back-up if you have sex during the first 7 days after missing your pills.

If you miss 2 pills in a row in Week 3, or you miss 3 or more pills in a row during Weeks 1, 2, or 3 of the pack, follow these steps:

If you are a Day 1 Starter:
Throw out the rest of the pill pack and start a new pack that same day.
You may not have your period this month but this is expected. However, if you miss your period 2 months in a row, call your healthcare provider because you might be pregnant.
You could become pregnant if you have sex during the first 7 days after you restart your pills. You MUST use a non-hormonal birth control method (such as a condom and spermicide) as a back-up if you have sex during the first 7 days after you restart your pills.
If you are a Sunday Starter:
Keep taking 1 pill every day until Sunday. On Sunday, throw out the rest of the pack and start a new pack of pills that same day.
Use a non-hormonal birth control method (such as a condom and spermicide) as a back-up if you have sex during the first 7 days after you restart your pills.

If you have any questions or are unsure about the information in this leaflet, call your healthcare provider.

Teva Pharmaceuticals USA, Inc.

North Wales, PA 19454

Rev. D 8/2017

Relabeled By: Preferred Pharmaceuticals Inc.

All MedLibrary.org resources are included in as near-original form as possible, meaning that the information from the original provider has been rendered here with only typographical or stylistic modifications and not with any substantive alterations of content, meaning or intent.

This site is provided for educational and informational purposes only, in accordance with our Terms of Use, and is not intended as a substitute for the advice of a medical doctor, nurse, nurse practitioner or other qualified health professional.

Privacy Policy | Copyright © 2024. All Rights Reserved.