ORTHO EVRA^® helps prevent pregnancy the same way birth control pills do: by preventing ovulation, which means that the ovary does not release an egg to be fertilized; by thickening the cervical mucus, which makes it more difficult for sperm to enter the uterus; and by changing the endometrium to reduce the chance of implantation. Read more on how the Patch works.

The transdermal - or "through the skin" - weekly birth control patch prevents pregnancy by delivering continuous levels of 2 hormones (progestin and estrogen, respectively) through the skin and into the bloodstream. It is important to know that you will be exposed to about 60% more estrogen if you use ORTHO EVRA^® than if you use a typical birth control pill containing 35 micrograms of estrogen.

Hormones from ORTHO EVRA^® get into the bloodstream and are processed by the body differently than hormones from birth control pills. You will be exposed to about 60% more estrogen if you use ORTHO EVRA^® than if you use a typical birth control pill containing 35 micrograms of estrogen. In general, increased estrogen may increase the risk of side effects. The risk of venous thromboembolic events (blood clots in the legs and/or the lungs) may be increased with ORTHO EVRA^® use compared with use of birth control pills. Studies examined the risk of these serious blood clots in women who used either ORTHO EVRA^® or birth control pills containing one of two progestins (levonorgestrel or norgestimate) and 30–35 micrograms of estrogen. Results of these studies ranged from an approximate doubling of risk of serious blood clots to no increase in risk in women using ORTHO EVRA^® compared to women using birth control pills.You should discuss this possible increased risk with your healthcare professional before using ORTHO EVRA^®.

Call your doctor immediately if you experience any of these side effects while you are using the ORTHO EVRA^® patch:

• Sharp chest pain, coughing blood or sudden shortness of breath
• Pain in the calf
• Crushing chest pain or tightness in the chest
• Sudden, severe, headache or vomiting, dizziness or fainting, disturbances of vision or speech, weakness or numbness in an arm or leg
• Sudden partial or complete loss of vision
• Breast lumps
• Severe pain or tenderness in the stomach area
• Severe problems with sleeping, weakness, lack of energy, fatigue or change in mood (possibly indicating severe depression)
• Jaundice or yellowing of the skin or whites of the eye along with fever, fatigue, loss of appetite, dark-colored urine or light-colored bowel movements

For additional information, please read the IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION section below.

Yes. In 3 clinical trials, the Patch was tested worldwide in 3,300 women.

If the Patch is not applied within the first 24 hours of your period, you must use backup contraception, such as a condom, spermicide, or a diaphragm, for the first week of patch use.

Follow the instructions below to see if or how long you need to use backup contraception, such as a condom, spermicide or a diaphragm.

First Day Start: Apply your first patch during the first 24 hours of your period, which will be considered your "Patch Change Day." If the Patch is not applied within the first 24 hours of your period, you must use backup contraception, such as a condom, spermicide, or a diaphragm, for the first week of patch use.

Sunday Start: Apply your first patch on the first Sunday after your menstrual period starts—this will be your "Patch Change Day." You must use backup contraception, such as a condom, spermicide, or a diaphragm, for the first week of your first cycle. If your period starts on a Sunday, you should start the Patch the same day, and non–hormonal backup contraception is not needed.

ORTHO EVRA^® uses clinically proven patch technology, which includes an adhesive that keeps the Patch on the skin for an entire week.

When applying ORTHO EVRA^®, it is important to press down firmly on the Patch with the palm of your hand for 10 seconds, making sure that the edges stick well. ORTHO EVRA^® remains attached and effective even when you bathe, swim, exercise or wear it in humid conditions.

In clinical trials, less than 2% of birth control patches had to be replaced because of complete detachment, and less than 3% had to be replaced because of partial detachment. However, your doctor or healthcare professional should provide you with a prescription for an extra patch in the rare event that you need one.

If you forget to change your patch...

...at the start of any patch cycle (Week 1, Day 1):

• Apply the first patch of your new cycle as soon as you remember. There is now a new "Patch Change Day" and a new "Day 1."
• NOTE: You must use backup contraception, such as condoms, spermicide or a diaphragm for the first week of the new cycle because you may not be protected from pregnancy during this time.

...in the middle of a patch cycle (Week 2/Day 8 or Week 3/Day 15), for 1 or 2 days (up to 48 hours):

• Apply a new patch immediately.
• The next patch should be applied on the usual "Patch Change Day."
• NOTE: No backup contraception is needed.

...for more than 2 days (48 hours or more):

• Stop the current cycle and start a new four-week cycle immediately by putting on a new patch. There is now a new "Patch Change Day" and a new "Day 1."
• NOTE: You must use backup contraception, such as condoms, spermicide or a diaphragm for one week because you may not be protected from pregnancy during this time.

...at the end of the patch cycle (Week 4/Day 22):

• If you forget to remove your patch, take it off as soon as you remember.
• Start the next cycle on the usual "Patch Change Day," which is the day after Day 28.
• NOTE: No backup contraception is needed.

Under no circumstances should there be more than a 7–day, patch-free interval between cycles. The risk of ovulation increases with each day after the recommended "patch-free" week. If there are more than seven patch-free days, YOU MAY NOT BE PROTECTED FROM PREGNANCY, and backup contraception, such as condoms, spermicide, or a diaphragm, must be used for 1 week.

No. To ensure the effectiveness of ORTHO EVRA^®, you should not write on the Patch, cut, alter or damage it in any way. Modifying the Patch may affect the amount of medication that is delivered through the skin and into the bloodstream, which may increase your risk of becoming pregnant.

Always apply your birth control patch to clean, dry skin. Do not use creams, oils, powder, or makeup on skin where you are going to put the Patch or, on top of or near a Patch you are wearing. These products may cause the Patch to become loose.

ORTHO EVRA^® birth control patches should be stored in their protective pouches. Store at room temperature (25°C or 77°F) with short variations in other temperatures permitted (to 15-30°C, 59-86°F). Do not store in the refrigerator or freezer.

If you have sensitive skin, you may wish to talk to your doctor or healthcare professional prior to using the ORTHO EVRA^® birth control patch, which may cause some skin irritation. In general, avoid placing ORTHO EVRA^® on skin that is red, irritated, or cut. If mild irritation develops during use, the Patch can be removed and a new patch may be applied immediately to a new location until the next "Patch Change Day."

No. ORTHO EVRA^® must be worn every day for 21 days. whether or not you have sex. Apply a new birth control patch on the same day of the week for 3 consecutive weeks, for a total of 21 days. You will not apply a patch during week 4.

You can expect your menstrual period to begin a few days after removing the third birth control patch (during the fourth, "patch-free" week).

Breakthrough bleeding or spotting, which is bleeding that can occur between periods, ranging from slight staining to a heavier flow, are side effects that may occur when you use hormonal contraceptives. In irregular bleeding may occur during the first few months of patch use but may also occur after you have been using the patch for some time. Such bleeding is temporary and usually does not indicate any serious problems. It is important to continue to use your patches on schedule. If the bleeding occurs for more than a few cycles, or lasts for more than a few days, talk to your healthcare professional.