What is the Patch?
Ortho Evra is a small, thin patch that adheres to your skin. It releases small amounts of estrogen and progesterone which are absorbed through the skin. By releasing these hormones Ortho Evra suppresses ovulation, thickens cervical mucus, and thins the uterine lining, which combined can prevent pregnancy. It is 99% effective and very convenient to use.
How do I apply Ortho Evra?
- Open the foil pouch by tearing it along the top edge and one side edge. Peel the foil pouch apart and open it flat.
- Ortho Evra is covered by a layer of clear plastic. Remove the Patch and the plastic together from the foil pouch.
- Using your fingernail, lift one corner of Ortho Evra and peel it and the plastic off the foil liner. Sometimes patches can stick to the inside of the pouch – be careful not to accidentally remove the clear liner as you remove the Patch.
Peel away half of the clear plastic. (Avoid touching the sticky surface of Ortho Evra.) - Apply the sticky side of Ortho Evra to clean and dry skin, then remove the other half of the clear plastic.
- Firmly press on the Patch with the palm of your hand for 10 seconds, making sure the edges stick well. Run your fingers around the edge of Ortho Evra to make sure it is sticking properly.
- Check your patch every day to make sure all edges are sticking.
- Do not cut, damage or alter Ortho Evra in anyway.
What are some advantages of Ortho Evra?
Ortho Evra sticks well to the skin, allowing you to go about your daily activities such as bathing, showering, swimming, and exercising without interruption. If the tacky surface of the Patch becomes wet, discard it and apply a new patch. The length and size of your period may decrease and you may experience less cramping.
What are some disadvantages of Ortho Evra?
The Patch may cause nausea, breast tenderness, weight gain or loss, water retention, increased blood pressure, mood changes, headaches and skin irritation (near the Patch). Antiobiotics or barbituates may reduce effectiveness. Ortho Evra may increase risk of breast cancer. There is no protection from HIV/STIs (sexuallly transmitted infections).
Can I smoke and use Ortho Evra?
Cigarette smoking increases the risk of serious cardiovascular side effects, especially if you are over 35. Women who use Ortho Evra are strongly advised not to smoke. Some women should not use Ortho Evra, including women who have blood clots, certain cancers, a history of heart attack or stroke, as well as those who are or may be pregnant.
Where do I place Ortho Evra?
You can place the patch on 1 of 4 areas of the body:
- Upper outer arm
- Upper torso (front and back, do not adhere to your breasts)
- Abdomen
- Buttock
Ortho Evra should not be worn on any other areas of the body.
For complete effectiveness of Ortho Evra, do not place the birth control patch on areas of your skin where makeup, lotions, creams, powders, or other products are or will be applied. Do not place Ortho Evra on skin that is red, irritated, or cut.
What if my Patch falls off?
If partial or complete detachment has occurred for less than 24 hours, you should try to re-attach the Ortho Evra patch. DO NOT try to use any kind of tape or alternate adhesive! If you have difficulty re-attaching, apply a new patch in the same place. Keep your patch changing schedule the same as you had it before. In this case there is no need for a backup contraceptive.
If partial or complete detachment has occurred for more than 24 hours or you are unsure as to how long detachment has been, you may not be protected from pregnancy. You should remove the old patch and apply a new one. Your Ortho Evra changing schedule is now switched to the day that you applied the new one. In this case, you will need a backup contraceptive for 4 weeks.
BirthControlBuzz is a service company that provides birth control prices, birth control types (prescription required), health administrative services, and birth control statistics predominantly to US patients seeking to purchase pharmaceuticals on-line.
For more information, call 1-866-732-0305 or visit http://www.birthcontrolbuzz.com/.
Birth Control Buzz is a service company that provides birth control prices, types of birth control(prescription required), health administrative services, and birth control statistics predominantly to US patients seeking to purchase pharmaceuticals on-line. For more information, call 1-866-868-8850 or visit http://www.birthcontrolbuzz.com/.
