Active Ingredient: Norelgestromin/Ethinyl
estradiol.
Typical Brand Names: Ortho Evra
What Is It Used For?
ORTHO EVRA, the first and only once-a-week birth control patch,
offers the same efficacy as the Pill with even greater simplicity.
It is used to prevent pregnancy; the Patch is worn on the skin
for one week and replaced on the same day of the week for three
consecutive weeks, with the fourth week "patch-free."
How Is It Used?
The application of ORTHO EVRA is quite simple, open the foil pouch
by tearing it along the top edge and one side edge. Peel the foil
pouch apart and open it flat. The Patch is covered by a layer
of clear plastic. Remove the Patch and the plastic together from
the foil pouch. Lift one corner of the Patch and peel it and the
plastic off the foil liner.
Be careful while removing the patch, don not remove the clear
lines. Peel away half of the clear plastic. (Avoid touching the
sticky surface of the Patch with your fingers. Apply the sticky
side of the Patch to clean and dry skin, then remove the other
half of the clear plastic. Press firmly on the Patch with the
palm of your hand for about 10 seconds to make sure that the edges
stick well. Keep on checking the patch everyday to confirm that
the edges are stuck properly.
Are There Possible Side Effects?
The use of ORTHO EVRA may lead to common problems like vomiting,
nausea, menstrual cramps or abdominal pain but rarely can it lead
to life a threatening side effect which includes blood clots,
stroke or heart attacks and these risk increases if you smoke
cigarettes. Women who are undergoing problems such as blood clots,
certain cancers, and a history of heart attack or stroke are not
advised to take the medication
Is It Safe?
The authenticity of ORTHO EVRA has been proved through more than
70,000 clinical trials and they have been tested worldwide in
more than 3,300 women. The most frequent adverse events leading
to discontinuation in 1.0% to 2.4% of women included nausea and/or
vomiting, application site reaction, breast symptoms, headache,
and emotional lability.
What About Interactions With Other Drugs?
The effectiveness of ORTHO EVRA reduces, if taken in combination
with some antibiotics, antifungals, anticonvulsants, and other
drugs that increase metabolism of contraceptive steroids. Doing
this may result in unintentional pregnancy or breakthrough bleeding.
Examples include barbiturates, griseofulvin, rifampin, phenylbutazone,
phenytoin, carbamazepine, felbamate, oxcarbazepine, topiramate
and possibly with ampicillin. The proposed mechanism of interaction
of antibiotics is different from that of liver enzyme-inducing
drugs.
What If I Miss A Dose?
If you forget to apply the patch at the start of any patch cycle,
apply the first patch of your new cycle as soon as you remember.
If you miss it in the mid of the patch cycle, stop the current
cycle and start a new four-week cycle immediately by putting on
a new patch. And if you miss it at the end of the patch cycle,
start the next cycle on the usual "Patch Change Day."
How Should It Be Stored?
ORTHO EVRA birth control patches should be stored in their protective
pouches. Store at room temperature (25°C or 77°F) with
short variations in other temperatures permitted (to 15-30°C,
59-86°F). Do not store in the refrigerator or freezer
Anything Else I Should Know?
Do not take ORTHO EVRA without your doctor's advice. The side
effects connected to Ortho Evra increase significantly if you:
smoke, have high blood pressure, diabetes, or high cholesterol,
have or have had clotting disorders, heart attack, stroke, chest
pain (angina pectoris), and cancer of the breast or reproductive
organs, jaundice, or malignant or benign liver tumors. The effectiveness
of ORTHO EVRA may be less in women weighing more than 190lbs.
ORTHO EVRA comes under the FDA pregnancy category x therefore
it is strictly prohibited for pregnant women.
NOTE: The above information is intended to supplement, not substitute
for, the expertise and judgment of your physician, pharmacist,
or other healthcare professional. It should not be construed to
indicate that the use of the product is safe, appropriate, or
effective for you. Consult your healthcare professional before
taking the product.
