Norelgestromin 6mg/Patch

Ethinylestradiol 600μg/Patch

Female contraception

To help avoid potential irritation, each consecutive patch you wear should be applied to a different area of skin.

Remove the patch from the protective packet, peeling off the plastic backing halfway. Place the patch on the desired area of skin, before peeling off the rest of the plastic. Hold the patch firmly against the skin for 10 seconds.

The Evra patch is changed every 7 days, for 3 weeks. The 4th week is a patch-free week.

The cycle is then started again 7 days later, with a 3 week plus 1 patch-free week cycle.

Evra should be applied to clean, dry, healthy and hairless skin on areas of the body where it will not be rubbed by tight clothing.

If you are a new user or have not used a hormonal contraceptive in your previous cycle, You should start Evra on the first day of your next period. If 1 day or more has elapsed since the start of your period, you should discuss with your doctor about temporarily using a non-hormonal contraceptive.

If you are switching from a oral contraceptive pill to Evra, You should wait until the start of your menstrual period and put on your first patch during the first 24 hours. If you apply it only after Day 1 of your period, you should use a non-hormonal contraceptive (e.g. condoms) until Day 8 when you change your patch. If you do not get your period within 5 days of taking the last contraceptive pill, you should consult your doctor.

If changing over from a progestogen-only pill, injection or implant, You can start Evra any day after stopping the progestogen-only pill, or the day of removal of the implant, or when your next injection would be due. You should place a patch from that day until Day 8, when you change your patch.

Do not use Evra patches if you are going to be sedentary for a long time, or are in need of an operation.

If you have severe diabetes with blood vessel damage.

You have high blood pressure, have ever had a stroke, heart problems or have a very high level of fat in your blood.

You suffer from migraines with aura.

You have liver problems.

Headache

Nausea/Vomiting

Diarrhoea

Mood changes

Breast tenderness

Irregular bleeding

Weight gain

Acne

Backing layer: low-density pigmented polyethylene outer layer, polyester inner layer.

Middle layer: polyisobutylene/polybutene adhesive, crospovidone, non-woven polyester fabric, lauryl lactate.

Third layer: polyethylene terephthalate (PET) film, polydimethylsiloxane coating.

Some contraceptives can cause your blood pressure to rise. So you will have to have your blood pressure checked by your GP at least yearly.

If you have a high BMI, some combined oral contraceptives may not be suitable. You should also get your weight checked every year if you are on Lucette.

You will need to ensure you are not already pregnant, and this may have to be excluded with a pregnancy test.

You can also go to your GP for contraceptives.

If you need to change your contraceptive please contact us and our practitioners will be happy to advise you further.

Evra is 99% effective at preventing pregnancy when taken correctly. If not taken correctly, statistics show around 9% of women will get pregnant.

If you are a smoker and over 35 years of age, you may be advised not to use Evra nd use another form of contraceptive.

As Evra delivers the hormone through the skin, not the stomach, it will be unaffected by any sickness or diarrhoea.

At the start of your cycle (Week 1 or Day 1), If you forget to apply your patch, you will be at a high risk of becoming pregnant. You should use a non-hormonal contraceptive method (e.g. condoms) for 7 days. You should then apply the patch as soon as you remember - this will give you a new "Day 1" and "Patch Change Day".

In the middle of the patch cycle (Week 2 or 3), If you forget to put on a patch for 1-2 days, you should put the patch on as soon as you remember, and put your next patch on, at your usual "Patch Change Day". You will not need to use any extra contraceptive methods.

At the end of your patch cycle (week 4), If you forget to take off your patch, you should take it off as soon as you do remember and start your next patch on your usual "Patch Change Day". No backup contraceptive methods are required.

For less than 1 day (up to 24 hours), You should put it on again, or put on a fresh new patch immediately. Backup contraception is not required and your "Patch Change Day" will remain the same.

For more than 1 day (24 hours or more), Or if you are not sure for how long: You should start a new 4 week cycle immediately by putting on a new patch. This will give you a new Day 1, and "Patch Change Day". You should also use a non-hormonal contraceptive as a backup for the first 7 days of your new cycle (e.g. condoms).

Do not try to put the patch back on if: It is no longer sticky; it has become stuck to itself or another surface; it has other material stuck to it; its the 2nd time it has become loose or fallen off.

Do not use tapes or wrapping to keep the patch in place. If you cannot put a patch back on, its best to put on a new patch immediately.

After removing from the protective sachet, the patch should be applied immediately.

Used Evra patches should not be flushes down the toilet or placed liquid disposal systems. They should be disposed in accordance with local requirements.