Before Using
WARNING: Smoking cigarettes while using Ortho Evra increases your chance
of having heart problems. Do not smoke while using Ortho Evra. 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 Ortho Evra. 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 Ortho Evra 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 Ortho Evra.
Directions
Follow the directions for using Ortho Evra provided by your doctor.
Ortho Evra COMES with a patient information leaflet. Read it carefully.
Ask your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist any questions that you may have
about Ortho Evra. 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 Ortho Evra to
skin that is irritated or broken or over other topical products such as
make-up, creams, lotions, or powders. DO NOT APPLY Ortho Evra 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 Ortho Evra 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 Ortho Evra 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 Ortho Evra, 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 Ortho Evra.
IF YOU HAVE DIFFICULTY wearing contact lenses after you begin using Ortho Evra, check with your doctor. BEFORE YOU BEGIN TAKING ANY NEW MEDICINE,
either prescription or over-the-counter, check with your doctor or pharmacist.
Ortho Evra 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 Ortho Evra. SMOKING WHILE USING Ortho Evra may
increase your risk of stroke, heart attack, blood clots, high blood pressure,
or other diseases of the heart and blood vessels. USE OF Ortho Evra
WILL NOT PREVENT HIV or the spread of other sexually transmitted diseases
(STDs). DO NOT USE Ortho Evra 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 Ortho Evra 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 Ortho Evra with others for whom it was not prescribed.
DO NOT USE Ortho Evra for other health conditions. KEEP Ortho Evra
out of the reach of children. IF USING Ortho Evra FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD
OF TIME, obtain refills before your supply runs out.
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