EVRA CONTRACEPTIVE TRANSDERMAL PATCHES 3'S

What is Evra and what is it used for?

Evra is a contraceptive used to prevent pregnancy. Its safety and effectiveness have been studied in women aged 18 to 45 years.

It contains two active substances: norelgestromin (6 mg) and ethinylestradiol (600 micrograms).

How is Evra used?

Evra is a transdermal patch (a patch that delivers a medicine across the skin). For the first three weeks of the menstrual cycle a new patch should be applied every week, followed by a fourth week, which is patch-free. The patch-free interval must not be longer than seven days; otherwise, additional non-hormonal contraceptive methods must be used, such as condoms. Transdermal patches must always be applied on the same day of the week to the buttock, abdomen (belly), upper arm or upper back. The same area of skin should not be used for two consecutive patches. Evra may work less well in women weighing 90 kg or more.

For full instructions on how to use Evra, see the package leaflet.

The medicine can only be obtained with a prescription.

How does Evra work?

Evra is a transdermal patch version of ‘the pill’ (combined oral contraceptive tablet). Using a weekly transdermal patch instead of a daily pill may help the woman to stick to using her contraception appropriately. The active substances in Evra are two hormones, ethinylestradiol (an oestrogen) and norelgestromin (a progestogen). Ethinylestradiol has been in use extensively in oral contraceptives for many years, and norelgestromin is very similar to another progestogen, which is also used in some oral contraceptives. Evra works like the pill by changing the body’s hormonal balance to prevent ovulation, by altering the cervical mucus and by thinning the endometrium (the lining of the womb).