Ortho Evra: A perfect patch for preventing birth control
One of the most common and recognized contraceptive patch used on the skin for preventing birth control is Ortho Evra. However, it cannot prevent you from AIDS or similar other diseases that can be transmitted through sexual intercourse.
Drug Uses
It is a combination of progestin and estrogen used for preventing pregnancy. It might also be utilized for treating other diseases too as prescribed by the doctor.
How to Take Drug
- Women apply the first patch on their buttocks, thigh, upper outer arm, or abdomen on the day 1 of their menstrual cycle or first Sunday after it begins.
- Seven days proceeding to the first application, patch needs to be changed with another.
- Seven days following the first change, you need to remove the change but there should be no replacement placed on the location.
- Finally after keeping the spot open for the next 7 days, you should reapply a patch on it.
Drug Precautions
There are certain risks associated to Ortho Evra. It can be dangerous to use the patch, if you:
- Are a smoker
- Are having high cholesterol, blood pressure or diabetes
- Are having or were a patient of stroke, heart attack, clotting disorders, angina pectoris, breast cancer, jaundice, etc.
Again if you are weighing above 195 pounds, the medication might be least effective in averting.
Drug Interactions
If this contraceptive patch is administered in unison with antifungal, anticonvulsants, antibiotics and drugs increasing contraceptive steroid metabolism, their effectiveness might get reduce to a large extent. Breakthrough bleeding or unintended pregnancy might result of such drug interactions.
Side Effects
There are numerous side effects involved with Ortho Evra. Amongst them the most common include:
- Breast enlargement and tenderness
- Nausea
- Headache
- Abdominal bloating and cramps
- Changes in menstrual cycle
- Abnormal discharge from vagina
- Skin Irritation around the site of application
Missed Dose
If you miss the routine application of the pill, you might not be able to prevent pregnancy. Again if you use it twice after missing the routine time, you might vomit or even have nausea.
Overdose
Overdose symptoms include severe vomiting, nausea, abnormal bleeding in vagina or irregularity in menstrual cycles. You should immediately remove the patch if any of the symptoms are noticed on you.
Storage
The patch should be kept at room temperature and away from children.
