Drug Uses
Ortho Evra is a contraceptive (birth control) skin patch taken to prevent pregnancy. It is a combination of hormonal contraceptive as it contains both estrogen and progestin. It should not be used for protection against HIV infection (AIDS) and other sexually transmitted diseases.
How Taken
This birth control method uses a 28-day (four-week) cycle. It is produced in topical patches which are applied and kept in place of your body for one week. Each week the old patch is changed with a new one in a period of three weeks in a row (21 total days). During the fourth day, you should not apply a patch (a one-week break). During this week break, you should have your menstrual period. You should apply every new patch on the same week day and this will be your 'Patch Change Day'. Pay attention to your doctor’s instructions regarding when to start using Ortho Evra and whether you need to use a temporal back-up contraception. The area where you place your patch should be well cleaned and dry. Possible places to apply the patch are the abdomen, buttock, upper outer arm, or upper torso in a place where it won't be rubbed by tight clothing. You should never put the patch on the breasts. In order to avoid any irritations, its better to apply each new patch to a different place on the skin every week. You should not apply the patches red, irritated or cut skin. You should not use any creams, oils, powder, or makeup on the skin where the patch will be placed or near it. Such products may cause the patch to become loose. If you get a skin irritation, remove your patch and place a new one to a new location until the next 'Patch Change Day'. You should wear only one patch at a time.
Warnings/Precautions
The risks related to the usage of Ortho Evra increase significantly in case you have high blood pressure, smoke, diabetes, have or have had clotting disorders, high cholesterol, heart attack, chest pain (angina pectoris), stroke and cancer of the breast or reproductive organs, jaundice, or malignant or benign liver tumors. Ortho Evra may have less efficiency when taken by women weighing more than 198 lbs. (90 kg). In case your weight is more than 198 lbs. (90 kg), you should not use Ortho Evra without first talking to your doctor. Ortho Evra is in the FDA pregnancy category X. It is known to cause birth defects in an unborn baby. Do not use in case of pregnancy. Ortho Evra is able to decrease milk flow and may affect the milk composition. Consult your doctor first if you are breast-feeding a baby.
Missed Dose
In case you forget to change your patch:
-at the start of any patch cycle,
Week one (Day 1): In case you forget to apply your patch,THERE IS A POSSIBILITY TO BECOME PREGNANT– you should use back-up contraception for a period of one week. Apply the first patch of your new cycle as soon as you realize you have forgotten. Now, you have a new Patch Change Day and new Day 1.
-if you forget to apply the patch in the middle of your patch cycle,
Week two or week three: If you miss to change your patch for one or two days, apply a new patch as soon as you remember. The next patch you should apply on your normal Patch Change Day.You do not need any other contraception. .
Week two or week three: If you miss to change your patch for more than two days, THERE IS A CHANCE OF GETTING PREGNANT and you should start a new four week cycle as soon as you remember by putting on a new patch. You now have a different Patch Change Day and a new Day 1. Back-up contraception are needed for the first week of your new cycle.
-at the end of your patch cycle,
Week four: In case you forget to remove your patch, apply as soon as you remember. Start your next cycle on your normal Patch Change Day the day after Day 28. You do not need any back-up contraception.
-at the start of your next patch cycle,
Day 1 (week one): If you miss to apply your patch, THERE IS A CHANCE OF GETTING PREGNANT. Apply the first patch of your new cycle as soon as you remember. You now have a new Patch Change Day and new Day 1. Back-up contraception are needed for the first week of your new cycle.
Possible Side Effects
Possible side effects regarding the use of combination hormonal contraceptives such as Ortho Evra are:
-headache
-abdominal cramps and bloating
-breast tenderness and enlargement
-menstrual changes
-nausea
-vaginal discharge.
Storage
Keep at 25°C (77°F); do not store below or above 15-30°C (59-86°F). Keep patches in their protective pouches. Apply immediately after you remove the patch from the protective pouch. You should no store Ortho Evra in the refrigerator or freezer. Used patches still contain some active hormones. Fold each patch in half so that it sticks to itself before safely disposing it in the trash. Do not flush the patches down the toilet.
Overdose
Ortho Evra is very unlikely to cause an overdose as the patch releases a steady amount of the hormones. You should not use more than one patch at a time. There are not reported any serious ill effects as there was a case when young children accidentally took large doses of oral contraceptives. Over dosage of this drug may lead to nausea and vomiting. There may occur vaginal bleeding. If you suspect an overdose, contact your health care professional or pharmacist.
More Information
Your physician should consider your medical and family history before prescribing Ortho Evra and will make you a full examination. You need to be reexamined at least once a year. Make sure you inform your doctor if in your family history there have been cases of any of the following conditions previously mentioned in this leaflet. You should keep all appointments with your physician as this is a time to determine the possible presence of early signs of side effects related to hormonal contraceptive use. You should not use the drug for any condition other than the one for which it is prescribed. This drug has been prescribed specifically for you and you should not give it to others who may want birth control. For further information about Ortho Evra, consult your doctor or pharmacist.
Disclaimer
The information above is only for your awareness and it is not comprehensive. It doesn’t cover all the existing information on the topic. It is has a generalizing purpose and it should not be used for any other reasons. The listed information is not purposed for each specific patient. We are not responsible for the truthfulness and punctuality of the included information and for any consequences due to the use of the containing data. There can be expressed no rights, on the basis of this data
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