Norelgestromin/Ethinyl Estradiol (Absorbed Through The Skin)

Ethinyl Estradiol (ETH-in-il es-tra-DYE-ole), Norelgestromin (nor-el-JES-troe-min)

This medicine is used to prevent pregnancy.

Brand Name(s):

Ortho Evra
There may be other brand names for this medicine.

When This Medicine Should Not Be Used:

You should not use this medicine if you have had an allergic reaction to norelgestromin/ethinyl estradiol, or if you are pregnant, have unusual vaginal bleeding, or are on bedrest after surgery. You should not use this medicine if you have high blood pressure, certain heart problems, diabetes, breast or uterine cancer, liver disease, or certain headaches, or if you have ever had a blood clot, heart attack, stroke, or jaundice caused by pregnancy or birth control.

How to Use This Medicine:

Patch

• Your doctor will tell you how and where to apply the patches, and how often to apply them. Do not use more patches or apply them more often than your doctor tells you to. This medicine comes with patient instructions. Read and follow these instructions carefully. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions.
• Leave the patch in its sealed wrapper until you are ready to put it on. Tear the wrapper open carefully. NEVER CUT the wrapper or the patch with scissors. Do not use any patch that has been cut by accident.
• When putting on each new patch, choose a different place within these areas. Do not put the new patch on the same place you wore the last one. Be sure to remove the old patch before applying a new one. Do not put the patch over burns, cuts, or irritated skin.
• Never share your medicine with anyone.

If a dose is missed:

• This medicine must be used on a regular fixed schedule to prevent pregnancy. It is very important to follow instructions for using the skin patches. If you think it has been more than 24 hours since your patch has come off, you may need to start a new patch cycle and use a back-up birth control method.

How to Store and Dispose of This Medicine:

• Store the patches at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light. Throw any used patch away so that children or pets cannot get to it.
• Keep all medicine away from children.

Drugs and Foods to Avoid:

Ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.

• Make sure your doctor knows if you are also using acetaminophen (Tylenol®), aspirin, atorvastatin (Lipitor®), itraconazole (Sporanox®), ketoconazole (Nizoral®), rifampin (Rifamate®, Rifater®), St. John's Wort, vitamin C (ascorbic acid), antibiotics, sedatives, medicines to treat HIV/AIDS (Agenerase®, Crixivan®, Invirase®, Norvir®, Sustiva®, Viracept®), or medicine for seizures (such as Dilantin®, Tegretol®, Trileptal®).
• Smoking cigarettes while you are using this medicine may greatly increase your risk of heart attack, stroke, or blood clots from this medicine. Your risk increases with heavy smoking or if you are over 35.

Warnings While Using This Medicine:

• Although you are using this medicine to prevent pregnancy, you should know that using this medicine while you are pregnant could harm the unborn baby. If you think you have become pregnant while using the medicine, tell your doctor right away.
• Make sure your doctor knows if you are breastfeeding, or if you have kidney disease, migraine headaches, high cholesterol, or gallbladder disease, or if you have had a baby within 4 weeks before you start using this medicine.

Possible Side Effects While Using This Medicine:

Call your doctor right away if you notice any of these side effects:

• Chest pain or discomfort
• Confusion, extreme weakness, or muscle weakness, problems with speech, balance, or walking
• Chest pain, coughing up blood
• Nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, pain in the upper stomach
• Numbness or weakness in your arm or leg or on one side of your body
• Pain in the lower leg (calf)
• Skin rash or itching
• Sudden or severe headache, problems with vision, speech, or walking
• Swelling in your hands, ankles, or feet, rapid weight gain
• Yellow skin or eyes, dark-colored urine or pale stools

If you notice these less serious side effects, talk with your doctor:

• Breast tenderness or swelling
• Changes in your menstrual periods or vaginal discharge, increased cramps
• Depressed mood
• Mild nausea, vomiting, or stomach pain
• Skin discomfort where the patch is worn

If you notice other side effects that you think are caused by this medicine, tell your doctor.