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| Pronunciation |
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 (ETH
in il es tra DYE ole & nor el
JES troe min) |
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| Brand Names |
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| Ortho
Evra™ |
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| Therapeutic
Categories |
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Contraceptive; Estrogen and Progestin Combination |
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| What key warnings should I know
about before taking this
medicine? |
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You should not smoke while taking birth control pills. Cigarette smoking
increases the risk of serious heart and blood-related side effects. This risk
increases with age (older than 35 years of age) and with heavy smoking (15 or
more cigarettes per day). Birth control pills do not prevent the spread of
sexually-transmitted diseases. |
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| Reasons not to take this
medicine |
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If you have an allergy to ethinyl estradiol, norelgestromin, or any
other part of this medicine.
Tell healthcare provider if you are allergic to any medicine. Make
sure to tell about the allergy and how it affected you. This includes telling
about rash; hives; itching; shortness of breath; wheezing; cough; swelling of
face, lips, tongue, or throat; or any other symptoms involved.
If you have any of the following conditions: Blood clots, breast
cancer, diseased arteries in the brain, disease of a heart valve with
complications, endometrial cancer, heart disease, high blood pressure, liver
disease, liver tumor, severe headache, tumor where estrogen makes it grow, or
unexplained vaginal bleeding.
If you have major surgery and need bedrest.
If you are a heavy smoker (more than 15 cigarettes per day) and older
than 35 years of age.
If you have not started menstruating.
If you turned yellow during pregnancy or with oral contraceptive use.
If you are pregnant or may be pregnant. |
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| What is this medicine used
for? |
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This medicine is used to prevent
pregnancy. |
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| How does it work? |
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The ethinyl estradiol and norelgestromin combination prevents
pregnancy by preventing ovulation (egg release) through a variety of hormonal
changes. Changes in cervical mucus and endometrium making it difficult for sperm
to penetrate and form a fertilized egg that can attach to the uterine
lining. |
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| How is it best taken? |
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Follow directions given by healthcare provider or read the package
insert.
Apply patch once a week for 3 weeks. Apply on the same day each week.
Do not apply patch on fourth week.
Apply patch to clean, dry, healthy skin on the buttock, belly, upper
arm, chest, or back.
Do not apply to breast.
Do not use adhesives or wraps to hold the patch in place.
Do not apply more than one patch at a
time. |
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| What do I do if I miss a
dose? |
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Use a missed dose as soon as possible.
Missed dosing information can be found in the package insert or call
healthcare provider for instructions.
Reapply the patch in the same place if it falls off and has been off
for less than 24 hours.
Apply a new patch if patch being used is no longer sticky or if it is
sticking to itself or another surface. |
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| What are the precautions when
taking this
medicine? |
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If you weigh 198 pounds or more, this medicine may not work as well
to prevent pregnancy. Talk with healthcare provider.
If you are taking a blood thinner, you will require more frequent
monitoring.
If you have any circulation problems, talk with healthcare provider.
If you have gallbladder disease, talk with healthcare provider.
If you have heart disease, talk with healthcare provider.
If you have kidney disease, talk with healthcare provider.
If you have liver disease, talk with healthcare provider.
If you have migraines, talk with healthcare provider.
Check medicines with healthcare provider. This medicine may not mix
well with other medicines.
Avoid grapefruit and grapefruit juice.
If you are taking this medicine and have high blood pressure, talk
with healthcare provider before using over-the-counter products that may
increase blood pressure. These include cough or cold remedies, diet pills,
stimulants, ibuprofen or like products, and certain natural products or
supplements.
Avoid cigarette smoking. Persons older than 35 years of age and/or
smoking more than 15 cigarettes per day are at an increased risk for heart
disease.
Limit alcohol intake (includes wine, beer, and liquor).
To protect against sexually-transmitted diseases, use a latex condom.
Tell healthcare provider if you are
breast-feeding. |
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| What are the common side effects
of this
medicine? |
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Headache. Mild pain medicine may help.
Belly pain.
Nausea or vomiting. Small frequent meals, frequent mouth care,
sucking hard candy, or chewing gum may help.
Breast enlargement.
Gallbladder disease, blood clots, heart attacks, and other vascular
problems can rarely occur. |
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| What should I monitor? |
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Change in condition being treated. Is it better, worse, or about the
same?
Check blood pressure and heart rate regularly.
If you are diabetic, you will need to monitor blood sugars closely.
Check blood work (cholesterol panel). Talk with healthcare provider.
Have a yearly eye exam.
Periodic breast (monthly self-exam) and yearly gynecologic exams are
important.
If you miss two menstrual periods in a row, take a pregnancy test
before starting a new dosing cycle.
If patch has not been applied correctly, and one menstrual period is
missed, take a pregnancy test.
Follow up with healthcare provider
yearly. |
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| Reasons to call healthcare
provider
immediately |
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If you suspect an overdose, call your local poison control center
immediately or dial 911.
Signs of a life-threatening reaction. These include wheezing; chest
tightness; fever; itching; bad cough; blue skin color; fits; or swelling of
face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Chest pain or pressure.
Difficulty breathing.
Change in strength on one side greater than the other, difficulty
speaking or thinking, change in balance, or blurred vision.
Swelling or pain of leg or arm.
Severe headache.
Severe nausea or vomiting.
Not hungry.
Dark urine or yellow skin or eyes.
Change in contact lens tolerance.
Any rash.
A lump in the breast or breast tenderness.
For females, vaginal yeast infection. Report itching or discharge.
For females, menstrual changes. These include lots of bleeding,
spotting, or bleeding between cycles.
For females, if you become pregnant while taking this medicine.
No improvement in condition or feeling
worse. |
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| How should I store this
medicine? |
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Store at room temperature. |
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| General statements |
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Do not share your medicine with others and do not take anyone else's
medicine.
Keep all medicine out of the reach of children and pets.
Keep a list of all your medicines (prescription, natural products,
supplements, vitamins, over-the-counter) with you. Give this list to healthcare
provider (doctor, nurse, nurse practitioner, pharmacist, physician assistant).
Talk with healthcare provider before starting any new medicine,
including over-the-counter, natural products, or vitamins.
Read the package insert for more
details. |
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Copyright © 1978-2001 Lexi-Comp Inc. All Rights Reserved
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