Common
uses
This medicine is an estrogen
and progestin combination used to prevent pregnancy. It may also be used to
treat other conditions as determined by your doctor.
Patches
Chemical Name: NORELGESTROMIN (nor-el-JES-troe-min)
and ETHINYL ESTRADIOL (ETH-in-il es-tra-DYE-ol)
Before
using
WARNING: Smoking cigarettes
while using this medicine increases your chance of having heart problems. Do
not smoke while using this medicine. The risk of heart problems increases with
age (women greater than 35 years of age) and with frequent smoking (15
cigarettes per day or greater). Some medicines or medical conditions may
interact with this medicine. INFORM YOUR DOCTOR OR PHARMACIST of all
prescription and over-the-counter medicine that you are taking. ADDITIONAL
MONITORING OF YOUR DOSE OR CONDITION may be needed if you are also taking
anti-seizure medicine (e.g., carbamazepine, felbamate, phenobarbital, phenytoin,
topiramate), certain antibiotics (e.g., ampicillin, erythromycin), HIV protease
inhibitors (e.g., indinavir, ritonavir), phenylbutazone, griseofulvin,
atorvastatin, azole antifungals (e.g., itraconazole, ketoconazole), rifampin,
St. John's wort, cyclosporine, temazepam, prednisolone, morphine, theophylline,
ascorbic acid (vitamin C), acetaminophen, aspirin, clofibric acid, modafinil,
troglitazone. Inform your doctor of any other medical conditions including high
blood lipid levels (hypercholesterolemia, hypertriglyceridemia), depression,
high blood pressure, gallbladder problems, thyroid problems, allergies, or
breast-feeding. DO NOT USE THIS MEDICINE if you have any of the following
conditions: pregnancy, blood circulation problems (e.g., history of blood clots
in the legs or groin), history of heart disease or stroke, severe high blood
pressure, diabetes, severe headaches, recent major surgery, long periods of
sitting or lying down (e.g., immobility such as being bedridden), liver
problems, history of yellowing eyes and skin (jaundice) during pregnancy or
while using birth control pills, cancer (especially endometrial or breast),
undiagnosed abnormal vaginal bleeding, heavy tobacco use (if 35 years old or
greater). Contact your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions or
concerns about taking this medicine.
Directions
Follow the directions for
using this medicine provided by your doctor. THIS MEDICINE COMES with a patient
information leaflet. Read it carefully. Ask your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist
any questions that you may have about this medicine. Remove patch from foil and
peel off liner. Apply to area of clean, dry skin on the abdomen, buttocks,
upper outer arm, or upper torso. Do not apply at the waistline, breast, or
other place where it would be rubbed by tight clothing. Press firmly in place
for 10 seconds. The patch is worn for 7 days. DO NOT APPLY THIS MEDICINE to
skin that is irritated or broken or over other topical products such as
make-up, creams, lotions, or powders. DO NOT APPLY THIS MEDICINE TO THE SAME
SKIN SITE. Use a different site each week. After 7 days, remove the old patch
and apply a new patch. Repeat this weekly cycle for 3 weeks (3 patches over 3
weeks equal 1 cycle). After the third patch is removed, you will have one week
without using the patch. Your menstrual cycle (period) usually should start
during the week when you do not use the patch. If your period does not begin
during this week, consult your doctor. After your fourth week, begin a new
patch cycle, even if you still are experiencing some bleeding (still having
your period). Do not go longer than 7 days without a patch. Doing so may make
this medicine less effective. IF YOUR PATCH ACCIDENTALLY FALLS OFF, dry your
skin and reapply it. If you weigh more than 198 pounds (90 kg), this patch may
not work as well for you. Be sure your doctor knows your current weight and ask
your doctor about which form of birth control may be best for you. STORE THIS
MEDICINE at room temperature between 59 and 86 degrees F (15 and 30 degrees C),
away from heat and light. DO NOT REFRIGERATE or freeze. AFTER YOU REMOVE THE
USED PATCH, fold the sticky side together. Discard out of the reach of children
and pets. IF YOU FORGET TO CHANGE THE PATCH AS SCHEDULED follow the directions
in the patient information leaflet or consult your doctor or pharmacist for a
new schedule.
Cautions
WHILE USING THIS MEDICINE, YOU
MAY EXPERIENCE absence of menstrual periods. If you experience irregular
menstrual periods, contact your doctor. YOU SHOULD perform regular
self-examinations of your breasts. If you have questions about how to do this,
ask your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist. KEEP ALL DOCTOR AND LABORATORY
APPOINTMENTS while you are using this medicine. IF YOU HAVE DIFFICULTY wearing
contact lenses after you begin using this medicine, check with your doctor.
BEFORE YOU BEGIN TAKING ANY NEW MEDICINE, either prescription or
over-the-counter, check with your doctor or pharmacist. THIS MEDICINE MAY CAUSE
dark skin patches on your face. Exposure to the sun may make these patches
darker. If patches develop, use a sunscreen or protective clothing when exposed
to the sun, sunlamps, or tanning booths. Some Laboratory test results (e.g.,
thyroid function, liver function) may be affected by this medicine. SMOKING
WHILE USING THIS MEDICINE may increase your risk of stroke, heart attack, blood
clots, high blood pressure, or other diseases of the heart and blood vessels.
USE OF THIS MEDICINE WILL NOT PREVENT HIV or the spread of other sexually
transmitted diseases (STDs). DO NOT USE THIS MEDICINE if you are pregnant. IF
YOU SUSPECT THAT YOU COULD BE PREGNANT, contact your doctor immediately.
Possible
side effects
SIDE EFFECTS that may occur
while taking this medicine include nausea, vomiting, headache, redness or
itching at the patch application site, dizziness, breast tenderness, vaginal
discomfort or irritation, stomach cramping, or bloating. If they continue or
are bothersome, check with your doctor. CHECK WITH YOUR DOCTOR AS SOON AS
POSSIBLE if you experience dark patches on the skin (melasma), change in
appetite, weight changes (gain or loss), problems wearing contact lenses,
unusual vaginal discharge, changes in vaginal bleeding (e.g., spotting,
breakthrough bleeding, prolonged or complete stoppage of bleeding), swelling,
trouble sleeping, or mental or mood changes. CONTACT YOUR DOCTOR IMMEDIATELY if
you experience pain in the groin or lower legs, trouble breathing, rash, chest
pain, severe headache, stomach pain, vision or eye problems, yellowing eyes or
skin, dark urine, one-sided weakness, numbness in the arms or legs, lumps in
the breast. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor,
nurse, or pharmacist.
Drug
interactions
Drug interactions can result
in unwanted side effects or prevent a medicine from doing its job. Use our drug
interaction checker to find out if your medicines interact with each other.
If
you take too much
If overdose is suspected,
remove the patch. Contact your local poison control center or emergency room
immediately. Symptoms of overdose may include severe nausea, vomiting, unusual
vaginal bleeding, or irregular menstrual periods.
Additional
information
DO NOT SHARE THIS MEDICINE
with others for whom it was not prescribed. DO NOT USE THIS MEDICINE for other
health conditions. KEEP THIS MEDICINE out of the reach of children. IF USING
THIS MEDICINE FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME, obtain refills before your supply
runs out.
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