Trinessa vs Ortho Tri-Cyclen – Comparison of Uses & Side Effects

Trinessa vs Ortho Tri-Cyclen – comparison:

Trinessa

It is the brand name of a combination of female hormones – ethinyl estradiol and norgestimate that is used as a contraceptive to prevent pregnancy.

The medication works by stopping a woman’s egg from completely developing each month, thus preventing fertilization.

Uses

It can be used to treat acne in females at least 15 years old who have started their periods. The average age is 12, however, every girl’s body has its own schedule.

This medication is also used to prevent pregnancy.

Note – it should not be used as emergency contraception, like after unprotected sexual contact. Also, it does not prevent HIV infection or other STDs (sexually transmitted diseases).

Dosage

The usual recommended dose is 1 tab daily for 28 days; repeat.

Side Effects and Precautions

Common side effects may include:

  • breast tenderness;
  • nervousness;
  • vomiting (particularly when you first start taking this drug);
  • darkening of facial skin;
  • nausea;
  • problems with contact lenses;
  • headaches;
  • breakthrough bleeding;
  • changes in weight;
  • rash;
  • vaginal itching or discharge.

Rare side effects may include:

  • chest pain or pressure;
  • sudden weakness (particularly on one side of the body);
  • sweating;
  • sudden severe headache;
  • nausea;
  • problems with vision or balance;
  • yellowing of the skin or eyes;
  • slurred speech;
  • swelling of the ankles, hands, or feet;
  • clay-colored stools;
  • sudden vision loss;
  • pain spreading to the jaw or shoulder;
  • dark urine;
  • pain or warmth in one or both legs;
  • coughing up blood;
  • upper stomach pain;
  • feeling short of breath;
  • stabbing chest pain;
  • loss of appetite;
  • a breast lump;
  • pounding in the neck or ears;
  • mood changes;
  • sleep problems.

You should not take this medicine if you have:

  • heart disease (history of heart attack or coronary artery disease);
  • high blood pressure;
  • jaundice caused by pregnancy or birth control pills;
  • circulation problems (particularly if it’s caused by type 2 diabetes mellitus);
  • unusual vaginal bleeding which has not been checked by a healthcare provider;
  • an increased risk of having blood clots due to a heart problem;
  • liver disease;
  • a history of hormone-related cancer;
  • if you take any hepatitis C drug containing ombitasvir/paritaprevir/ritonavir;
  • severe migraine headaches, especially if you are older than 35.

Ortho Tri-Cyclen

It is the brand name of a combination of female hormones – ethinyl estradiol and norgestimate. It belongs to the class of medications called birth control pills (oral contraceptives).

This medication was approved by the US FDA in 2002.

Uses

It is used as a contraceptive to prevent pregnancy as well as for acne treatment.

Note – it will not help as emergency contraception. In addition, it does not prevent HIV infection or other sexually transmitted diseases.

Dosage

The usual recommended dose is 1 tab daily for 28 days; repeat.

Side Effects and Precautions

Common side effects may include:

  • breast tenderness;
  • problems with contact lenses;
  • vomiting (especially when you first start taking this oral contraceptive);
  • nervousness;
  • nausea;
  • headaches;
  • darkening of facial skin;
  • vaginal itching or discharge;
  • changes in weight;
  • rash;
  • breakthrough bleeding.

Rare side effects may include:

  • sudden vision loss;
  • sudden severe headache;
  • chest pain or pressure;
  • weakness (especially on one side of the body);
  • sweating;
  • slurred speech;
  • stabbing chest pain;
  • problems with vision or balance;
  • pain spreading to your jaw or shoulder;
  • loss of appetite;
  • feeling short of breath;
  • jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes);
  • pain or warmth in one or both legs;
  • coughing up blood;
  • upper stomach pain;
  • swelling in your ankles, hands, or feet;
  • clay-colored stools;
  • a breast lump;
  • dark urine;
  • severe headaches;
  • pounding in your neck, head, or ears;
  • mood changes;
  • sleep problems (insomnia).

Breastfeeding

The hormones in this oral contraceptive can pass into breast milk and may harm the infant. Therefore, do not use it if you are breastfeeding a baby.

To make sure that this oral contraceptive is safe for you, tell your healthcare provider if you have ever had:

  • weight problems (being overweight);
  • if you are prone to having blood clots;
  • high triglycerides;
  • high blood pressure;
  • heart problems;
  • a seizure or a migraine headache;
  • high LDL and total cholesterol;
  • gallbladder disease;
  • depression;
  • kidney disease;
  • type 2 diabetes mellitus;
  • liver disease;
  • an abnormal mammogram;
  • fibrocystic breast disease;
  • irregular menstrual cycles.

Drug Interactions

This oral contraceptive can negatively interfere with other drugs, including:

  • HIV/AIDS medications;
  • antibiotics;
  • Phenylbutazone (Butazolidine);
  • St. John’s wort and other alternative medicines;
  • muscle relaxants;
  • barbiturate sedatives;
  • seizure medications;
  • hepatitis C medications.

Bottom Line – Trinessa vs Ortho Tri-Cyclen

TriNessa is a combination (ethinyl estradiol and norgestimate) birth control pill containing female hormones, which prevent ovulation. It is also used to treat acne in females.

Ortho Tri-Cyclen contains a combination (ethinyl estradiol and norgestimate) of female hormones, which prevent ovulation by changing the cervical mucus and the lining of the uterus and preventing the release of eggs from the ovaries.

In conclusion, both oral contraceptives contain the same hormones. Their actual difference lies in brand and price.

Image credit – Shutterstock

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References

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/09/110909141637.htm
http://yoda.yale.edu/nct00745901-open-label-study-evaluate-cycle

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