Ethinyl estradiol and norelgestromin (transdermal route)
Available brands
Ortho Evra, Xulane
About this medication
Norelgestromin and ethinyl estradiol combination contraceptive skin patch is used to prevent pregnancy. Hormones from the patch are absorbed through your skin into your body. It works by stopping a woman's egg from fully developing each month. The egg can no longer accept a sperm and fertilization (pregnancy) is prevented. This patch allows more estrogen into the blood than oral birth control containing the same amount of estrogen. No contraceptive method is 100 percent effective. Birth control methods such as having surgery to become sterile or not having sex are more effective. Discuss with your doctor your options for birth control. Norelgestromin and ethinyl Estradiol combination does not prevent AIDS or other sexually transmitted diseases. It will not prevent hepatitis B. It will not help as emergency contraception, such as after unprotected sexual contact. This medicine is available only with your doctor's prescription. This product is available in the following dosage forms:
Before using this medication
In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For this medicine, the following should be considered: Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to this medicine or any other medicines. Also tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully. Appropriate studies on the relationship of age to the effects of norelgestromin and ethinyl estradiol combination transdermal have not been performed in the pediatric population. However, pediatric-specific problems that would limit the usefulness of this medication in teenagers are not expected. This medicine may be used for birth control in teenage females but should not be used before the start of menstruation. Appropriate studies on the relationship of age to the effects of norelgestromin and ethinyl estradiol combination transdermal have not been performed in the geriatric population. This medicine is not indicated for use in elderly women. Studies in women breastfeeding have demonstrated harmful infant effects. An alternative to this medication should be prescribed or you should stop breastfeeding while using this medicine. Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are taking this medicine, it is especially important that your healthcare professional know if you are taking any of the medicines listed below. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive. Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is not recommended. Your doctor may decide not to treat you with this medication or change some of the other medicines you take. Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be required in some cases. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines. Using this medicine with any of the following medicines may cause an increased risk of certain side effects, but using both drugs may be the best treatment for you. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines. Certain medicines should not be used at or around the time of eating food or eating certain types of food since interactions may occur. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also cause interactions to occur. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive. Using this medicine with any of the following is not recommended. Your doctor may decide not to treat you with this medication, change some of the other medicines you take, or give you special instructions about the use of food, alcohol, or tobacco. Using this medicine with any of the following is usually not recommended, but may be unavoidable in some cases. If used together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use this medicine, or give you special instructions about the use of food, alcohol, or tobacco. Using this medicine with any of the following may cause an increased risk of certain side effects but may be unavoidable in some cases. If used together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use this medicine, or give you special instructions about the use of food, alcohol, or tobacco. The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of this medicine. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:
How to use this medication
To make using hormonal contraceptives as safe and reliable as possible, you should understand how and when to use them and what effects may be expected. This medicine comes with patient instructions. Read and follow these instructions carefully. Ask your doctor if you have questions. This transdermal patch system is to be used for 28 days (four-week) cycle. A new patch is applied each week for 3 weeks (21 days), and week four is patch-free. When you begin using norelgestromin and ethinyl estradiol combination transdermal, your body will require at least 7 days to adjust before a pregnancy will be prevented. Use a second form of contraception (eg, condoms, spermicides, diaphragms) for the first 7 days of your first patch cycle. To use this patch: If the patch comes off partly or all the way, try to apply it again or apply a new patch. If it becomes looseless than 24 hours, no other form of birth control is needed. If the patch has peeled awayfor more than 24 hours, apply a new patch and start a new cycle. A second form of birth control should also be used. If the patch is not sticky or has stuck to material or itself, remove it and apply a new patch. Do not hold the patch in place with tape or wraps. If you are switching from a contraceptive pill or vaginal ring to using the patch, start the patch on the first day of your period on the day that you would usually use your next pill or vaginal ring forXulane®. If your period does not start after 1 week forXulane®, you should see your doctor for a pregnancy test.If you apply Xulane® more than 1 week after using your last pill or vaginal ring, use a second method of birth control with the patch for the first 7 days. If you have a miscarriage or an abortion in the first trimester of your pregnancy, you may start norelgestromin and ethinyl estradiol combination transdermal right away. You do not need a second form of birth control. If you start this medicine 5 days or more after the miscarriage or abortion, you should use a second form of birth control with the patch for the first 24 hours during the start of your menstrual period or for the first 7 days on the first Sunday of your menstruation. If you have a miscarriage or abortion after the first trimester, you should wait for 4 weeks before starting this medicine. If you use this patch after giving birth and choose not to breastfeed, you may start after 4 weeks to prevent the risk of having blood clots. If you have bleeding with the patch in place, continue to use the patches as usual. If the bleeding continues for 2–3 cycles, call your doctor. If you do not have your period during the time the patch is off, stay on your regular schedule and call your doctor. If the patch is uncomfortable or causes irritation, change to a new patch in a new location. Change the patch again on your regular schedule. Do not use more than one patch at a time. When you remove a patch, carefully fold it in half so that it sticks to itself and throw it away. There will still be some hormones on the patch. Do not touch the inside of the patch. Do not eat grapefruit or drink grapefruit juice while you are using this medicine. Grapefruit and grapefruit juice may change the amount of this medicine that is absorbed in the body. The dose of this medicine will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of this medicine. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so. The amount of medicine that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are using the medicine. Your doctor may begin your patch on the first day of your menstrual period (called Day-1 start) or on a Sunday (called Sunday start). When you begin on a certain day it is important that you follow that schedule, even if you forget to change a patch. Do not change your schedule on your own. If the schedule that you have been put on is not convenient, talk to your doctor about changing schedules. Call your doctor or pharmacist for instructions. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label if you forget to change your patch. This includes only some of the ways to handle this medicine. Your doctor may want you to stop using this medicine and use other birth control methods for the rest of the month until you have your menstrual period. Then your doctor can tell you how to begin using your medicine again. If you forget to apply your patchduring the 1st week, apply it as soon as possible and start a new cycle. Use a second form of birth control for the first week of the new cycle. You will now have a new patch start day. If you forget to change your patch in the2nd or 3rd week for one or two days, change it as soon as you remember. No other form of birth control is needed. If you forget to change your patch in the2nd or 3rd week for more than two days, change to a new patch and start a new cycle. Use a second form of birth control for the first week of the new cycle. If you forget to remove your patchat the end of the 3rd week, remove it as soon as possible and then start a new patch on your regular start day. You should never have the patch off for more than 7 days in a row. Store the patches at room temperature in a closed container, away from heat, moisture, and direct light. Keep out of the reach of children. Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed. Ask your healthcare professional how you should dispose of any medicine you do not use. After removing a used patch, fold the patch in half with the sticky sides together. Place it in a child-resistant container or a sealed bag. Make sure to dispose of it out of the reach of children and pets.
Disclaimer: August is a health information platform and its responses don't constitute medical advise. Always consult with a licenced medical professional near you before making any changes.