Ortho Evra Patch

Important note

The following 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 use of the Ortho Evra birth control patch is safe, appropriate, or effective for you. Consult your healthcare professional before using the Ortho Evra birth control patch.

About the Ortho Evra birth control patch

The Ortho Evra birth control patch is a once a week birth control patch option that is as effective as the birth control Pill. The Ortho Evra Patch is the first weekly, non-invasive form of reversible contraception that's 99 percent effective when used correctly.

The Ortho Evra Patch releases estrogen and progesterone (the same as the birth control pill), but they are absorbed directly through the skin.

The Ortho Evra Patch is changed once a week which avoids the inconvenience of remembering to take a pill each day. It also avoids the possibility of forgetting to take a pill each day.

The Ortho Evra Patch may also be used for purposes other than those listed above.

Using the Ortho Evra birth control patch

The Ortho Evra Patch is supplied with directions for use.

The Ortho Evra Patch method of birth control uses a 28 day cycle. One Ortho Evra Patch is applied to the skin and kept in place for one week. A new Ortho Evra Patch is applied each week for three weeks in a row (21 total days). No patch is worn in the fourth week.

During the one week break, you should have your menstrual period.

Ortho Evra Patch Side effects

The Ortho Evra Patch contains hormones similar to those used in the traditional birth control pill. Most side effects of the Ortho evra birth control patch are not serious, and those that are occur infrequently.

If you experience any of the following serious side effects, stop using the Ortho Evra Patch and seek emergency medical attention or contact your doctor immediately: an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of the throat; swelling of the lips, tongue, or face; or hives); sharp chest pain, coughing blood or sudden shortness of breath (possible blood clot in the lung); pain in the calf (possible blood clot in the leg); crushing chest pain or heaviness in the chest (possible heart attack); sudden severe headache or vomiting, dizziness, faintness or problems with vision or speech, weakness or numbness in an arm or leg (possible stroke); sudden partial or complete loss of vision (possible clot in the eye); yellowing of the skin or whites of the eyes (jaundice), especially with fever, tiredness, loss of appetite, dark colored urine, or light colored bowel movements (possible liver problems); severe pain, swelling, or tenderness in the abdomen (gallbladder or liver problems); irregular vaginal bleeding or spotting that happens in more than 1 menstrual cycle or lasts for more than a few days;; swelling (edema) of the fingers or ankles; or severe problems with difficulty sleeping, weakness, lack of energy, fatigue, or a change in mood (possible severe depression). a lump in a breast.

Other, less serious side effects may be more likely to occur. Continue to use your ortho Evra Patch and talk to your doctor if you experience vaginal irritation or infection; headache; nausea; change in appetite; weight changes; abdominal cramps or bloating; breast tenderness or enlargement; irregular vaginal bleeding or spotting; changes in menstrual cycles; slight fluid retention (edema); spotty darkening of the skin, particularly on the face; depression; or intolerance to contact lenses. It is unclear to what extent hormonal methods of birth control may affect the risk of breast cancer. Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.

Precautions

Avoid smoking while using the Ortho Evra birth control patch. Smoking greatly increases the risk of a heart attack, stroke or blood clot formation just as in the traditional birth control pill.

The Ortho Evra Patch does not protect you from sexually transmitted diseases including HIV and AIDS. Use a condom to protect yourself from these diseases.

Drug Interactions

Before using the Ortho Evra birth control patch, talk to your doctor if you are taking any of the following medicines: a penicillin antibiotic such as amoxicillin (Amoxil, Trimox, Wymox, Augmentin, others), ampicillin (Principen, Omnipen, Totacillin, others), bacampicillin (Spectrobid), carbenicillin (Geocillin), cloxacillin (Cloxapen, Tegopen), dicloxacillin (Dynapen, Dycill, others), nafcillin (Nafcil, Unipen), oxacillin (Bactocill, others), or penicillin (Veetids, Pen Vee K, Bicillin, others); a tetracycline antibiotic such as demeclocycline (Declomycin), doxycycline (Vibramycin, Vibra-Tabs, others), minocycline (Minocin), or tetracycline (Sumycin, Achromycin, others); a barbiturate such as amobarbital (Amytal), butabarbital (Butisol), mephobarbital (Mebaral), secobarbital (Seconal), or phenobarbital (Luminal, Solfoton); a seizure or pain medicine such as phenytoin (Dilantin), primidone (Mysoline), ethosuximide (Zarontin), carbamazepine (Tegretol), topiramate (Topamax), oxcarbazepine (Trileptal), felbamate (Felbatol); and others; griseofulvin (Grisactin, Grifulvin V, Fulvicin PG); rifampin (Rifadin); or herbal products containing St. John's wort (Hypericum perforatum). A dosage adjustment or special monitoring may be required during treatment if you are taking any of the medicines listed above. Drugs other than those listed here may also interact with the Ortho Evra Patch. Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before taking any prescription or over-the-counter medicines, including herbal products.

Ortho Evra Patch Overdose

An overdose of Ortho Evra Patch is unlikely. If you do suspect an overdose, or if an ortho Evra birth control patch has been ingested, call an emergency room or poison control center for advice.

Symptoms of an overdose of combination hormonal contraceptives may include nausea, vomiting, or vaginal bleeding.

Ortho Evra Patch Storage

Store your Ortho Evra birth contol patches in their protective pouches at room temperature away from moisture and heat. Do not store in the refrigerator or freezer.