What is Tri-Lo-Marzia? Uses, warnings & side effects

Please read and follow the Instructions for Use included with this medicine.

The prescriber will tell you when to take the first pill.

• Start on the day your period starts or the first Sunday after your period starts. 

When switching from another type of hormonal birth control, take the first pill the day you would:

• Begin a new blister pack of the old prescription

• Replace a skin patch or vaginal ring

• Have an implant or IUD removed.

Take one pill daily at the same time each day. Do not miss doses.

• Take the tablets in order.

• The top row with seven white pills is the first week of doses

• The seven light blue pills in the second row are taken in the second week

• The seven blue pills in the third row are taken in the third week

• The last row of seven inert green pills is the fourth week of pills

• When the last green pill is taken, start a new blister pack the next day.

• You should always start a new pack on the same day of the week each cycle. 

Tablets can be taken with or without food.

Swallow the tablet whole with a drink of water.

If you vomit or have diarrhea three to four hours after taking a tablet, take a similarly colored pill from your extra blister pack.

• If you don’t have an extra blister pack, take the next pill in the current blister pack and finish the blister pack. 

• If you vomit or have diarrhea for longer than one day, continue through the current blister pack and try to contact the doctor. Use backup birth control.  

Store the tablets away from light at room temperature.

Missed doses increase the risk of pregnancy.

If a colored pill is missed:

• Take it as soon as you remember. 

• Take the next dose at its regular time.

• You can take two doses in a single day to make up for a missed dose. 

• Pregnancy is not a risk, so backup birth control is unnecessary.

If you miss two colored pills in a row in the first two weeks:

• Take two pills on the day you remember and two pills the next day.

• Missing two pills in a row increases the risk of pregnancy. Use backup birth control for at least seven days.

If you miss two blue pills in a row in the third week: 

• Day 1 starters should immediately start a new blister pack.

• Sunday starters should continue to take pills from the current blister pack and begin a new pack on Sunday. 

• Pregnancy is possible after starting a new kit. Use backup birth control for the first seven days.

If you miss three or more colored pills in a row in any week:

• Day 1 starters should immediately start a new blister pack.

• Sunday starters should continue to take pills from the current blister pack and begin a new pack on Sunday. 

• Pregnancy is possible after starting a new kit. Use backup birth control for the first seven days.

If you’re not sure about a missed dose, use backup birth control.

This medicine is not right for everyone. 

Do not use Tri-Lo-Marzia if you are:

• Pregnant

• Older than 35 and smoke

• Older than 35 have focal headaches or migraines with aura

Do not use Tri-Lo-Marzia if you have blood clot problems, a history of blood clot problems, or risk factors for blood clots including:

• Coronary artery disease

• Problems with blood vessels in the brain

• Uncontrolled high blood pressure

• Diabetes with kidney, nerve, eye, or blood vessel damage

• Heart valve problems or irregular heartbeats

Tri-Lo-Marzia is also contraindicated in women with:

• Unexplained vaginal bleeding 

• Liver disease or liver tumors

• Current or past breast cancer (or any other kind of cancer) that is hormone-sensitive 

Tell all other healthcare professionals who treat you that you are taking oral contraceptives. 

• Oral contraceptives can alter the results of important blood tests.

• Doses may need to stop at least four weeks before surgery and should not restart until two weeks after surgery. 

Because of the risk of side effects, keep all appointments with the prescriber.

Tell the prescriber immediately if you become pregnant, think you’re pregnant, or miss two periods in a row. 

Before starting birth control pills, make sure the prescriber knows if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or have recently given birth.

Tell the prescriber if you smoke or if you have:

• Heart or blood vessel problems

• High blood pressure

• Diabetes

• High cholesterol

• Migraines

• Depression

• A history of face, neck, and throat swelling (angioedema)

Also tell the prescriber if you’ve had problems during pregnancy or when taking birth control pills, particularly:

• Skin yellowing (jaundice) 

• Brown patches on your face (chloasma)

Oral contraceptives like Tri-Lo-Marzia can cause serious problems including:

• Increased risk of blood clots, heart attack, and stroke

• Increased risk of breast or cervical cancer

• Liver problems

• Gallbladder problems

• Elevated blood pressure

• Elevated cholesterol and fats

• Severe or long-lasting headaches

• Angioedema (swelling of the face, mouth, and throat)

There may be no bleeding or only a little bleeding during menstruation. If there are other symptoms typical of pregnancy, such as morning sickness, or you have two or more menstrual periods with little or no bleeding, immediately talk to the prescriber.  

• A pregnancy test is required if two periods in a row are missed. 

Tri-Lo-Marzia can cause dark patches on the face. Avoid too much sun exposure, use sunscreen, and stay away from tanning lights. 

Oral contraceptives provide no protection from HIV/AIDS or other sexually transmitted diseases. 

Nursing women may experience reduced milk production when taking Tri-Lo-Marzia.

Do not take Tri-Lo-Marzia with any hepatitis C drug containing ombitasvir/paritaprevir/ritonavir.

Tri-Lo-Marzia has several drug interactions that may either increase the risk of pregnancy or the risk of side effects. Make sure the prescriber knows if you’re taking: 

• Macrolide antibiotics

• Drugs that treat fungal infections 

• Drugs that treat seizures

• Antiviral drugs called protease inhibitors

• Barbiturates

• Thyroid hormones

• St. John’s wort

• Acetaminophen, aprepitant, atorvastatin, bosentan, clofibrate, colesevelam, cyclosporine, felbamate, prednisolone, rifabutin, rifampicin, rosuvastatin, rufinamide, theophylline, tizanidine

Avoid grapefruit and grapefruit juice when taking Tri-Lo-Marzia.

Tell other healthcare providers you are using this medicine before they prescribe new medications.