Drug Uses of Ortho Evra

Ortho Evra is a birth control drug that is widely used in the USA by women to prevent pregnancy. Ortho Evra is a thin, beige patch that sticks to the skin. Ortho Evra birth control is a combination hormonal contraceptive. The sticky part of the Ortho Evra patch contains two hormones: norelgestromin (progestin) and ethinyl estradiol (estrogen). These hormones are observed by the skin and pass into the bloodstream. Ortho Evra birth control patch does not protect against HIV infection (AIDS) or other sexually transmitted diseases.

How Ortho Evra Is Taken

The Ortho Evra birth control method is based on a 28-day cycle. Each Ortho Evra patch must be applied to your skin for the period of one week. A new Ortho Evra patch must be applied securely to your skin every week. The Ortho Evra patch must not be applied during the third week (days 21-28 of your cycle) as during this week you are supposed to have your menstrual period. Every Ortho Evra birth control patch must be applied on the same day. This day will be your ‘Patch Change Day’. This means that if you have started using this birth control method on Monday, then you will have to apply a new patch every Monday. When the four weeks of your cycle end you will have to start the new pack of Ortho Evra.
Your doctor/health-care provider will guide you on when and how to start using Ortho Evra birth control method. Make sure to consult your doctor before you buy Ortho Evra patches.
You must wait till the first day of your menstruation to start using this birth control. There are two options for you to choose from. You can either use the Day 1 Start or Sunday start.
DAY 1 START
Apply one Ortho Evra patch during the first 24 hours of your menstruation period.
SUNDAY STRART
Apply one Ortho Evra patch on the first Sunday after the onset of your menstruation period. You must use back-up birth control methods during the first week of your menstruation cycle.
The day when you apply your first Ortho Evra patch will be your ‘Patch Change Day’.
Ortho Evra birth control patches can be applied to the following areas of your body: buttock, abdomen, upper outer arm, or upper torso. You must be sure that the place where you apply a patch will not be rubbed by clothes. You must clean and dry the area of skin where you intend to stick the Ortho Evra patch. Do not use creams, lotions, makeup, powders, oils etc. on the area of the skin where the patch will be applied. It is recommended that you apply each new patch to a new place on your body. This is done to avoid irritations.
You must check your Ortho Evra patch every day to make sure that it did not become loose and that there are no irritations or reddish spots. A new patch must be applied to a different area of your body on a ‘Patch Change Date’. The new Ortho Evra patch must be applied immediately after the old one was removed. Do not wear two patches at the same time. Only one Ortho Evra patch must be used. If the patch that you were using has become loose or is causing irritations, then you must apply a new patch on a different place of your body immediately after the old one has been removed.

Warnings/Precautions of Ortho Evra

All the risks and side effects associated with Ortho Evra increase significantly if you smoke. It is strongly recommended that you quit smoking when using Ortho Evra birth control. You must be especially cautious when using this birth control method if you have high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, clotting disorders, strokes, heart attack, chest pain (angina pectoris), jaundice, cancer of breast or reproductive organs, malignant or benign liver tumors. Talk to your doctor/health-care provider before you start using or buy Ortho Evra patches.
Ortho Evra may be less effective in women who weight more than 198 lbs. (90 kg). If you weight more than 198 lbs. (90 kg) then you must talk to your doctor before you start using or buy this birth control.
Ortho Evra birth control patches belong to the category X of the FDA approved medications. It means that drugs of this category are known to affect an unborn child. You must not use Ortho Evra if you are pregnant.
You must talk to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby, as Ortho Evra can decrease milk production or change milk composition.

Missed Dose of Ortho Evra

If you forget to apply your Ortho Evra patch at the start of any patch cycle (Week 1 (Day 1)), then you must apply a new patch as soon as you remember it. You can become pregnant if you have forgotten to apply your Ortho Evra patch in time. You must use back-up birth control methods during the first week of your cycle. You will have a new ‘Patch Change Day’ and new Day 1.
If you forget to change your Ortho Evra patch for one or two days in the middle of your cycle (Week 2 and Week 3), then you must change the Ortho Evra patch as soon as you remember about it. A new patch must be applied on your normal ‘Patch Change Day’. You do not need to use back-up birth control methods.
If you forget to change your Ortho Evra patch for more than two days, then you must apply a new one as soon as you remember about it and start a new four week cycle. Now you have a new ‘Patch Change Day’ and new Day 1. You can become pregnant, that is why you must use back-up birth control methods during the first week of a new cycle.
If you forget to remove your Ortho Evra patch during Week 4 (the end of your cycle), then you must remove it as soon as you remember about it. A new cycle must be started on your regular ‘Patch Change Day’ by applying a new Ortho Evra patch. You do not need back-up birth control methods.
If you forget to apply a new Ortho Evra patch on Day 1 of you new cycle, then you must apply it as soon as you remember about it. You now have new ‘Patch change day’ and new Day 1. You can become pregnant, that is why you must use back-up birth control methods during the first week of your cycle.

Possible Side Effects of Ortho Evra

Ortho Evra can cause some side effects. The most common side effects that were observed among the women who were using Ortho Evra birth control patches were headache, nausea, vaginal discharge, menstrual changes, breast tenderness and enlargement, abdominal cramps and bloating. Ortho Evra can also cause some not mentioned above side effects that can be specific for you. If you feel uncomfortable while using this birth control method and if you are extremely bothered by any new condition, then you should consult your doctor and find out if you can continue using Ortho Evra patches and if you can buy them in the future.

Storage of Ortho Evra

Ortho Evra patches must be stored at a regular temperature of 25°C (77°F); excursions permitted to 15-30°C (59-86°F). Patches must be stored in their protective pouches. Once the Ortho Evra patch has been removed from the protective pouch it must be applied immediately to the skin. Patches can not be stored in the refrigerator or freezer.
After the patch has been used it must be folded in half so that it sticks to itself. Used Ortho Evra patches can be disposed in to trash only after it has been safely folded as mentioned above as used patches can still contain the remains of active hormones. Ortho Evra patches must not be flushed into the toilet.

Overdose of Ortho Evra

The only case when Ortho Evra overdose can occur is in case if you use more than one patch at a time. Ortho Evra patches release steady amounts of hormones regularly, that is why this birth control is not likely to cause any side effects. There were no serious adverse effects reported in children who accidentally took large doses of Ortho Evra. The overdose on Ortho Evra can cause nausea and vomiting. It has also been reported that Ortho Evra overdose can cause vaginal bleeding in female. It is strongly recommended that you contact your doctor/health-care provider in case you suspect the overdose.

More Information about Ortho Evra

You must be examined by your doctor/health care provider before you will be prescribed Ortho Evra. Your full medical and family history is also required to be examined by your doctor. You must repeat your physical examination every year. If you have a history of any serious diseases or if you have a family history of some serious diseases or conditions then you must tell your doctor about it before he/she prescribes you this birth control. You must visit your doctor regularly and you must be sure to keep all appointments with your health care provider as it is a time when early signs of any side effects caused by this birth control patch can be determined. You must not use this prescription drug for any other condition other than the one for which it was prescribed to you. You must not give Ortho Evra birth control patches to anybody else as this birth control has been prescribed specifically for you.

Disclaimer

The information about Ortho Evra provided above covers only general facts about this drug. This information is provided here for your informational purposes only and it cannot be construed to contain any specific directions or instructions for any particular patient. This information about Ortho Evra does not cover all uses, side effects, drug interactions, precautions, directions of this prescription medication. We are not responsible for any consequences that can arise from the usage of this information about Ortho Evra. We are not responsible for the accuracy and reliability of this information and for any damages to persons or property that can arise from the usage of this information. No warranty, either expressed or implied, is made in regards to this information.