Main Ingredients: Estrogen (low dose) + Progestin (low dose)
OrthoEvra (patch) is used to prevent pregnancy, regulate menstrual periods as well as in the treatment of acne in women 15 and older. OrthoEvra (patch) is a synthetic form of female sex hormones produced naturally in the body, progestin, and estrogen. These hormones suppress the pituitary glands activity thus hindering ovulation; alter the mucus at the cervix opening to prevent sperm from entering, and their variable levels play a vital role in fertility in women.
OrthoEvra for acne is taken just as it would be for contraception.
ORTHOEVRA WARNING
Avoid using contraceptives including OrthoEvra if you are or might be pregnant.
Avoid smoking as it enhances the risk of heart-related side effects in women who use oral contraceptives like OrthoEvra. The risk is even greater in women over 35.
Avoid using OrthoEvra if you have had an allergic reaction to any oral contraceptives.
Avoid OrthoEvra if you are a migraine sufferer.
Avoid taking OrthoEvra if you or someone in your family has ever had breast cancer or cancer of the reproductive system or liver problems.
Avoid OrthoEvra if you have or ever had a stroke, heart disease, liver disease, chest pain, or blood clots.
Avoid OrthoEvra if you have had pregnancy related jaundice or jaundice resulting from previous use of any oral contraceptives.
Avoid OrthoEvra if you have experienced abnormal vaginal bleeding.
ORTHOEVRA CAUTION
OrthoEvra should be used with caution if you are:
-Over 40
-Smoker
-Have liver, heart, gallbladder, kidney, or
thyroid disease
-Have high blood pressure
-High
cholesterol
-Diabetes
-Epilepsy
-Asthma
-Porphyria
-Obese
-Stroke
or heart attack in the past
-Depression
-Family history of breast
cancer or other cancers
-OrthoEvra does not protect against HIV (AIDS),
or other STDs.
-If you experience abdominal pain, contact your
physician right away.
-In rare cases, oral contraceptives like
OrthoEvra may cause benign liver tumors.
ORTHOEVRA SIDE EFFECTS
Common side effects of OrthoEvra may include abdominal pain, vaginal discharge, acne, fluid retention, bloating, blood clots, chest pain, hair loss, headache, heart attack, high blood pressure, kidney problem, migraine, leg pain, nausea, sex drive changes, skin discoloration, stroke, vomiting, and weight gain or loss.
ORTHOEVRA INTERACTION
Check with your physician before combining OrthoEvra with the following:
Acetaminophen/ Paracetamol
Amitriptyline
Antibiotics
Ascorbic acid (Vitamin C)
Aspirin
Atorvastatin
(anti-cholesterol drugs)
Barbiturates
Blood
thinners
Carbamazepine
Chloramphenicol
Clofibrate
Clomipramine
Copper supplements
Cyclosporine
Diazepam
Doxepin
Fluconazole
Glipizide
Griseofulvin
HIV drugs
Imipramine
Propranolol
Insulin
Lorazepam
Metoprolol
Modafinil
Morphine
Oxazepam
Phenylbutazone
Phenytoin
Prednisolone
Prednisone
Primidone
Propranolol
Rifabutin
Rifampin
Sulfonamides
Temazepam
Tetracycline
Theophylline
Topiramate
Troleandomycin
Valium
Herbs like Black Cohosh, Milk Thistle, and St. John's Wort.
ORTHOEVRA DOSES
A new patch can be applied to the thigh, abdomen, or arm. Remove the
patch after 3 weeks, wait for a week and then apply the new one. Make sure
to apply a new patch on the same day of the week. (i.e., Sundays)
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