Ortho Evra Side Effects

Function

Ortho Evra acts to decrease fertility by removing fluctuations, administering a fixed amount of estrogen and progestin throughout the skin (from the patch) and then into the blood stream. The patch contains 3 different layers which allow it to enter the blood stream. This means that the hormones distributed by Ortho Evra are absorbed into the system by a different mean than oral contraceptives. In fact, Ortho Evra renders a significantly higher dosage of estrogen in comparison to standard birth control pills (which usually contain 35 micrograms). An increase in estrogen can actually result in an escalation of side effects

Common side effects attributed with Ortho Evra may include skin irritation at the site of the patch, abdominal discomfort, cramping, sensitivity of the breasts or breast enlargement, changes in mood, headaches, spotting, change in weight and nausea. The Ortho Evra website states that "common side effects may occur when starting the patch, but they tend to decrease over time and may gradually disappear."
The Ortho Evra birth control patch has also been associated with a number of potentially severe side effects. Although pretty rare, these reactions can include blood clot problems (deep vein, cerebral and arterial thrombosis, and pulmonary embolism), Myocardial infarction, stroke, heart attack, gallbladder disease and hypertension. There are contradictory reports regarding whether the use of hormonal contraceptives can result in an increased risk of breast or cervical cancer. Many physicians feel the above risks are primarily associated with other medical factors including an individual's preexisting medical conditions, family history and predisposition to the diseases.

It's crucial to inform your doctor of your medical history as Ortho Evra is not recommended for people who have (or have had) diseases of the liver, heart, gallbladder, or kidney, certain types of cancer, neurological problems such as epilepsy, and blood clots. If you suffer from a psychological illness (depression for example), Ortho Evra should be administered with caution; various hormone levels and fluctuations can intensify the symptoms.
Various drug interactions can also arise when taking Ortho Evra; the effectiveness of the patch and the medication that you are taking can be compromised and an adverse reaction can result. Consult your doctor if you are using or plan to use Ortho Evra and take any of the following: Antibiotics, Anticonvulsants, Diabetes drugs, Morphine, Protease inhibitors, Prednisolone and Barbiturates. To be safe inform your doctor of any drugs (even over the counter) or supplements that you are on. Women taking Ortho Evra are advised not to smoke, as it can increase the possibility of severe side effects.

Various drug interactions can also arise when taking Ortho Evra; the effectiveness of the patch and the medication that you are taking can be compromised and an adverse reaction can result. Consult your doctor if you are using or plan to use Ortho Evra and take any of the following: Antibiotics, Anticonvulsants, Diabetes drugs, Morphine, Protease inhibitors, Prednisolone and Barbiturates. To be safe inform your doctor of any drugs (even over the counter) or supplements that you are on. Women taking Ortho Evra are advised not to smoke, as it can increase the possibility of severe side effects

Remember, when a contraceptive like Ortho Evra is approved for use by the FDA, the pharmaceutical company that manufactures the drug is required to list all relevant information pertaining to the drug and all possible side effects and interactions that may occur. This does not mean that you will experience all or even any of them. You can view additional warnings and advisements about Ortho Evra and its side effects by visiting the links below.