Tri-Sprintec Tablet: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, Precautions and Alternates

Quick overview

Tri-Sprintec is a combination birth control pill containing norgestimate and ethinyl estradiol, taken daily to prevent pregnancy. It is a triphasic pill, meaning the hormone amounts change across three phases during the cycle to mimic the body's natural hormone pattern. It can also treat moderate acne in certain females. It works mainly by preventing ovulation and thickening cervical mucus.

What is Tri-Sprintec Tablet

Tri-Sprintec is a combination birth control pill that contains two hormones, norgestimate (a progestin) and ethinyl estradiol (an estrogen). It is a triphasic pill, meaning the hormone amounts change across three phases during the cycle to copy the natural rise and fall of hormones. It is taken by mouth every day to prevent pregnancy, and it can also treat moderate acne in some women.

Tri-Sprintec Tablet uses

• To prevent pregnancy
• Treatment of moderate acne vulgaris in females at least 15 years old who have started their period and have no known reasons they cannot take birth control pills

Benefits of Tri-Sprintec Tablet

• Helps prevent pregnancy when taken correctly.
• Can help make menstrual cycles more regular and predictable.
• Is also approved to help treat moderate acne in certain females who also want oral contraception.

How Tri-Sprintec Tablet works

Tri-Sprintec contains two hormones that work together to stop the ovaries from releasing an egg, thicken cervical mucus so sperm can't easily reach an egg, and change the lining of the uterus so a fertilized egg is less likely to implant. For acne, it lowers testosterone levels in the body, which reduces oil production and pore clogging.

Tri-Sprintec Tablet dosage

Take one tablet by mouth at the same time every day, with or without food, following the order printed on the blister pack. The pack has three weeks of active tablets followed by one week of inactive (placebo) tablets.

You can start on the first Sunday after your period begins, or on the first day of your period, depending on what your provider recommends. If you switch from another birth control pill, patch, ring, injection, implant, or IUD, follow your provider's instructions on when to start Tri-Sprintec. Do not start Tri-Sprintec until at least 4 weeks after childbirth if you are not breastfeeding.

If you have severe vomiting or diarrhea, the pill may not be fully absorbed; treat it like a missed dose and use a back-up birth control method. If you miss doses, follow the specific instructions in your pack insert or call your provider or pharmacist for guidance, and use a back-up method of birth control as directed.

Do not use this medicine while breastfeeding unless your doctor advises it, since it may reduce milk supply.

Available forms and strengths

• Tablet (28-day blister pack with active and placebo tablets)

Side effects of Tri-Sprintec Tablet

Common

• Headache or migraine
• Breast changes such as tenderness or enlargement
• Vaginal infection
• Stomach pain or cramping
• Nausea or vomiting
• Mood changes
• Vaginal discharge
• Changes in weight
• Bloating
• Dizziness
• Tiredness
• Trouble sleeping
• Acne or skin rash
• Decreased sex drive

Serious

• Signs of a heart attack: chest pain, stomach discomfort, sweating, nausea, dizziness
• Signs of a stroke: sudden numbness or weakness in the arm, leg, or face, confusion, trouble seeing, headache, difficulty walking, slurred speech
• Signs of a blood clot in the leg (deep vein thrombosis): leg cramp, swelling, pain, muscle tightness
• Signs of a blood clot in the lung (pulmonary embolism): cough, chest pain, trouble breathing, racing heart
• Signs of liver problems: yellowing of skin or eyes, dark urine, clay-colored stools, loss of appetite, tiredness, fever, pain in the upper stomach
• Severe or new headaches or migraines
• Sudden vision changes or vision loss
• Signs of a severe allergic reaction: swelling of the face, lips, mouth, tongue, or throat, hives
• Unusual vaginal bleeding or spotting that is heavy or irregular
• New breast lumps
• Signs of depression or worsening mood problems

Warnings and precautions

• Do not use Tri-Sprintec if you are pregnant or think you might be pregnant. It will not help a pregnancy and should be stopped if you become pregnant while taking it.
• If possible, avoid using this medicine while breastfeeding, since it can lower milk supply and small amounts pass into breast milk. Talk to your doctor about other birth control choices while nursing.
• Do not take this medicine if you have liver problems such as a sudden liver infection, severe liver scarring, or liver tumors. Stop taking it and tell your doctor if you notice signs of liver trouble like yellowing skin or eyes, dark urine, or tiredness.
• Smoking while taking this medicine greatly raises the risk of serious heart problems, strokes, and blood clots, especially in women 35 and older. Women who smoke should not use this medicine.
• This medicine increases the chance of blood clots, which can occur in the legs, lungs, brain, or heart, especially in women who smoke, are over 35, recently had surgery, just gave birth, or have high blood pressure, obesity, high cholesterol, or diabetes.
• This medicine can raise blood pressure, so it should be checked regularly during use, and it is not recommended for women whose high blood pressure is not under control.
• This medicine can raise blood sugar and triglyceride levels, which is a bigger concern for women who are prediabetic, diabetic, or have high triglycerides.
• Do not take this medicine if you currently have or have had breast cancer, since some breast cancers grow faster with estrogen exposure.
• This medicine does not protect against HIV or other sexually transmitted infections.
• Tell your doctor if you need surgery, since you may need to stop this medicine 4 weeks before and 2 weeks after to lower the risk of blood clots.
• Certain medicines, including some antibiotics, seizure medicines, and St. John's wort, can make this medicine less effective at preventing pregnancy.

Storage

• Store at 20–25°C (68–77°F) at controlled room temperature.
• Keep tablets in their original blister packaging until ready to take.
• Protect from excessive heat, moisture, and direct sunlight.
• Avoid storing in bathrooms or other hot and humid locations.
• Keep out of reach and sight of children and pets.

When to see a doctor

• Get emergency help right away if you have chest pain, sweating, nausea, or dizziness, which could signal a heart attack.
• Get emergency help right away if you have weakness or numbness in your face, arm, or leg on one side, trouble speaking, sudden vision problems, loss of balance, trouble walking, or confusion, which could signal a stroke or blood clot in the brain.
• Get emergency help right away if you have sudden trouble breathing, chest pain, or coughing, which could signal a blood clot in the lungs.
• Get emergency help right away if you have leg cramps, swelling, pain, or muscle tightness, which could signal a blood clot in the leg.
• Call your doctor right away if you have pain or tenderness in the upper stomach, dark urine, pale stools, or yellowing of the skin or eyes, which could be signs of a liver problem.
• Call your doctor right away if you notice sudden vision loss, blurred vision, or eye pain, which could indicate a serious eye problem.
• Call your doctor if you miss two periods in a row, since you may need a pregnancy test.
• Call your doctor if you develop a new headache pattern that is severe, persistent, or gets worse, or if migraines change or worsen.

Alternatives

• Tri-Linyah
• Tri-Estarylla
• Ortho Tri-Cyclen
• Sprintec