Package Leaflet: Information for the User
EVRA 203 micrograms/24 hours + 33.9 micrograms/24 hours transdermal patchnorelgestromin/ethinylestradiol
Important things you should know about combined hormonal contraceptives (CHCs):
Read the entire package leaflet carefully before starting to use this medication, as it contains important information for you.
Contents of the package leaflet
EVRA contains two types of sex hormones, a progestogen called norelgestromin and an estrogen called ethinylestradiol.
As it contains two hormones, EVRA is considered a "combined hormonal contraceptive".
It is used to prevent pregnancy.
General considerations
Before starting to use EVRA, you should read the information about blood clots in section 2. It is particularly important that you read the symptoms of a blood clot (see section 2 "Blood clots").
When you should not use EVRA
You should not use EVRA if you have any of the conditions listed below. If you have any of the conditions listed below, you should inform your doctor. Your doctor will discuss with you what other form of contraception would be more suitable.
You should not use this medicine if you have any of the conditions mentioned above. If you are unsure, consult your doctor, pharmacist, or nurse before using this medicine.
When you should be careful with EVRA
When should you consult your doctor? Seek urgent medical attention
"Blood clot [thrombosis]" below). To get a description of the symptoms of these serious side effects, see "How to recognize a blood clot" |
Warnings and precautions
Before using this medicine, it is necessary for your doctor to perform a medical examination.
Tell your doctor if you suffer from any of the following conditions.
If the condition develops or worsens while you are using EVRA, you should also inform your doctor.
BLOOD CLOTS
The use of a combined hormonal contraceptive like EVRA increases your risk of having a blood clot compared to not using it. In rare cases, a blood clot can block blood vessels and cause serious problems.
Blood clots can form:
Recovery from blood clots is not always complete. In rare cases, there can be serious long-term effects or, very rarely, they can be fatal.
It is essential to remember that the overall risk of a harmful blood clot due to EVRA is small.
HOW TO RECOGNIZE A BLOOD CLOT
Seek urgent medical attention if you notice any of the following signs or symptoms.
Are you experiencing any of these signs? | What could you be | |||
suffering from? | ||||
? | swelling of a leg or foot or along a vein in the | Deep vein thrombosis | ||
leg or foot, especially when accompanied by: | ||||
- | pain or tenderness in the leg, which may only be | |||
noticed when standing or walking; | ||||
- | increase in temperature in the affected leg; | |||
- | change in skin color of the leg, e.g., if it becomes | |||
pale, red, or blue. | ||||
? | sudden shortness of breath without a known cause or rapid breathing; | Pulmonary embolism | ||
? | sudden cough without a clear cause, which may bring up blood; | |||
? | sharp chest pain that may increase with deep breathing; | |||
? | severe stomach pain (acute abdomen). | |||
? | intense dizziness or fainting; | |||
? | rapid or irregular heartbeat; | |||
? | severe stomach pain. | |||
If you are unsure, consult a doctor, as some of these | ||||
symptoms, such as cough or shortness of breath, can be confused with | ||||
a milder condition like a respiratory infection (e.g., a "common cold") | ||||
Symptoms that occur more frequently in one eye: | Retinal vein thrombosis | |||
? | sudden loss of vision, or | blood clot in the eye | ||
? | painless blurred vision, which can progress to | |||
loss of vision. |
? | pain, discomfort, pressure, or heaviness in the chest; | Heart attack |
? | feeling of tightness or fullness in the chest, arm, or under | |
? | the breastbone; | |
feeling of fullness, indigestion, or choking; | ||
? | discomfort in the upper body that radiates to the | |
? | back, jaw, throat, arm, and stomach; | |
sweating, nausea, vomiting, or fainting; | ||
? | extreme weakness, anxiety, or shortness of breath; | |
? | rapid or irregular heartbeat. | |
? | sudden weakness or numbness of the face, arm, or | Stroke |
? | leg, especially on one side of the body; | |
sudden confusion, difficulty speaking or understanding; | ||
? | sudden difficulty seeing in one eye or both; | |
sudden difficulty walking, dizziness, loss of balance | ||
? | or coordination; | |
sudden severe headache without a known cause; | ||
? | loss of consciousness or fainting, with or without | |
seizures. | ||
Sometimes the symptoms of a stroke can be brief, with almost immediate and complete recovery, but you should still seek urgent medical attention as you may be at risk of having another stroke. | ||
? | swelling and slight blue discoloration of a limb; | Blood clots that block |
? | severe stomach pain (acute abdomen). | other blood vessels |
BLOOD CLOTS IN A VEIN
What can happen if a blood clot forms in a vein?
When is the risk of having a blood clot in a vein higher?
The risk of having a blood clot in a vein is higher during the first year of taking a combined hormonal contraceptive for the first time. The risk may also be higher if you start taking a combined hormonal contraceptive (the same medicine or a different one) after a break of 4 weeks or more.
After the first year, the risk decreases, but it is always slightly higher than if you were not taking a combined hormonal contraceptive.
When you stop taking EVRA, your risk of having a blood clot returns to normal within a few weeks.
What is the risk of having a blood clot?
The risk depends on your natural risk of VTE and the type of combined hormonal contraceptive you are taking.
The overall risk of having a blood clot in your leg or lung (DVT or PE) with EVRA is small.
Risk of having a blood clot in a year | |
Women who do not usea patch/pill/vaginal ring hormonal combined contraceptive and who are not pregnant | About 2 out of 10,000 women |
Women who use a combined hormonal contraceptive pill that contains levonorgestrel, norethisterone, or norgestimate | About 5-7 out of 10,000 women |
Women who use EVRA | About 6-12 out of 10,000 women |
Factors that increase your risk of a blood clot in a vein
The risk of having a blood clot with EVRA is small, but some conditions increase the risk. Your risk is higher:
The risk of having a blood clot increases with the number of conditions you have.
Long-haul flights (more than 4 hours) may temporarily increase the risk of a blood clot, especially if you have any of the other risk factors listed.
It is essential to inform your doctor if you suffer from any of the conditions mentioned above, even if you are unsure. Your doctor may decide that you should stop using EVRA.
If any of the conditions mentioned above change while you are using EVRA, for example, you start smoking, a close relative experiences a thrombosis without a known cause, or you gain a lot of weight, you should inform your doctor.
BLOOD CLOTS IN AN ARTERY
What can happen if a blood clot forms in an artery?
Like a blood clot in a vein, a blood clot in an artery can cause serious problems. For example, it can cause a heart attack or a stroke.
Factors that increase your risk of a blood clot in an artery
It is essential to note that the risk of a heart attack or stroke due to EVRA is very small, but it can increase:
If you have one or more of these conditions or if any of them are particularly severe, the risk of having a blood clot may be increased even further.
If any of the conditions mentioned above change while you are using EVRA, for example, you start smoking, a close relative experiences a thrombosis without a known cause, or you gain a lot of weight, you should inform your doctor.
Psychiatric disorders:
Some women who use hormonal contraceptives like EVRA have reported depression or a depressed mood. Depression can be severe and sometimes can induce suicidal thoughts. If you experience mood changes and depressive symptoms, you should contact your doctor for further medical advice as soon as possible.
Also, consult your doctor, pharmacist, or nurse before starting to use EVRA if you have or have had any of the following conditions, or if they appear or worsen during treatment with EVRA:
Enter in the face (called "chloasma"). These spots may not
disappear completely, even after stopping the use of EVRA. Protect your skin from the sun or ultraviolet radiation. This can help prevent these spots from appearing or worsening.
If you are not sure if you have any of the above conditions, consult your doctor or pharmacist before using EVRA.
Sexually transmitted diseases
This medication does not protect you against HIV (AIDS) or any other sexually transmitted disease. This includes chlamydia, genital herpes, genital warts, gonorrhea, hepatitis B, syphilis. Always use condoms to protect yourself against these diseases.
Lab tests
Children and adolescents
EVRA has not been studied in girls and adolescents under 18 years of age. EVRA should not be used in girls and adolescents who have not yet had their first menstrual period.
Other medications and EVRA
Inform your doctor or pharmacist if you are using, have recently used, or may need to use any other medication.
Do not use EVRA if you have hepatitis C and are taking medications that contain ombitasvir/paritaprevir/ritonavir and dasabuvir, as it may cause an increase in liver function test results (increase in ALT liver enzyme). Your doctor will prescribe another type of contraceptive method before starting treatment with these medications. EVRA can be restarted approximately 2 weeks after finishing this treatment. See section "When not to use EVRA".
Certain medications and herbal remedies can interfere with the proper functioning of EVRA.
If this happens, you may become pregnant or experience unexpected bleeding.
These include medications used to treat:
If you are using any of the above medications, you should use another contraceptive method (such as condoms, diaphragm, or foam). The effect of some of these medications can last up to 28 days after stopping their use. Consult your doctor or pharmacist about using another contraceptive method if you are using EVRA with any of the above medications.
EVRA may reduce the effect of some medications, such as:
Your doctor may need to adjust the dose of the other medication. Consult your doctor or pharmacist before taking any medication.
Pregnancy and breastfeeding
If you think you may be pregnant or plan to become pregnant, consult your doctor or pharmacist before using this medication.
Driving and using machines
You can drive or use machines while using this medication.
Risks of using combined hormonal contraceptives
The following information is based on information about combined oral contraceptives. Since the transdermal patch EVRA contains similar hormones to those used in combined oral contraceptives, it is likely to have the same risks. The use of any combined oral contraceptive involves risks, which could lead to disability or death.
It has not been proven that a transdermal patch like EVRA is safer than a combined oral contraceptive administered orally.
Combined hormonal contraceptives and cancer
Cervical cancer (cervix)
Cervical cancer is also detected more frequently in women who use combined hormonal contraceptives. However, this may be due to other causes, including sexually transmitted diseases.
Breast cancer
Cases of breast cancer have been detected more frequently in women who use combined hormonal contraceptives. However, it is possible that combined hormonal contraceptives are not the cause of more women having breast cancer. This may be due to the fact that women who use combined hormonal contraceptives are examined more frequently. This would mean that there is a greater chance of breast cancer being detected. The increased risk of having breast cancer decreases gradually after stopping treatment with combined hormonal contraceptives. After ten years, the risk is equal to that of women who have never used combined hormonal contraceptives.
Liver cancer
Rare cases of non-cancerous tumors have been found in the liver in women who take combined hormonal contraceptives. Even more rarely, cancerous tumors have been found in the liver. This can cause bleeding inside the body with severe pain in the stomach area. If you experience this symptom, you should contact your doctor immediately.
Follow the administration instructions for this medication exactly as indicated by your doctor or pharmacist.
Otherwise, you may increase the risk of becoming pregnant.
How many patches to use
If you have not used a hormonal contraceptive method during the previous cycle
If you switch from an oral contraceptive pill to EVRA
If you switch from an oral contraceptive pill to this medication:
If you place the patch after Day 1 of your period, you must:
If you do not have your menstruation within 5 days after taking the last contraceptive pill, consult your doctor before starting to use this medication.
If you switch from a progestin-only pill, implant, or injectable to EVRA
After a spontaneous or induced abortionbefore20 weeks of gestation
If, when you start using this medication, one or more days have passed since the spontaneous or induced abortion, consult your doctor about temporary use of a non-hormonal contraceptive method.
After a spontaneous or induced abortionafter20 weeks of gestation
You can start with this medication 21 days after the induced or spontaneous abortion or on the first day of your next period, whichever comes first.
After childbirth
If you have had sexual intercourse since childbirth, wait until you have your first menstruation or consult your doctor to ensure you are not pregnant before starting to use this medication.
If you are breastfeeding
Important information to follow while using the patch
How to use the patch:
If it is the first time you are using EVRA, wait until the day you have your menstrual period.
Choose a place on your body to put the patch.
Using your fingers, open the aluminum pouch.
Avoid contact with the adhesive surface. | |
Place the patch on the skin.
| |
Wear the patch for 7 days (one week).
| |
Place a new patch. This makes a total of three weeks using patches. In order to avoid irritation, do not place the new patch exactly in the same spot as the previous one. | |
Do not place any patch during Week 4 (Day 22 to Day 28).
| |
In your next four-week cycle.
|
If you want to change the "Patch Change Day" to a different day of the week, consult your doctor. You must complete the current cycle and remove the third patch on the correct day. During Week 4, you can choose a new Patch Change Day and place the first patch on that chosen day. In no case should more than 7 consecutive days pass without a patch.
If you want to delay your period, place a patch at the start of Week 4 (Day 22) without observing the week of rest. You may experience light bleeding or intermenstrual spotting. Do not use more than 6 consecutive patches (i.e., no more than 6 weeks). When you have used 6 consecutive patches (for 6 consecutive weeks), do not place another patch during Week 7. After 7 days without wearing a patch, place a new patch and start the cycle using this as Day 1. Consult your doctor before deciding to delay your period.
Daily activities while using the patches
If you need to place the patch on a new area of the body on a different day than your "Patch Change Day"
If the patch you are wearing is uncomfortable or causes irritation:
If you have trouble remembering to change the patch
Consult your doctor, pharmacist, or nurse about how to make changing the patch easier. They can also advise you on the use of another contraceptive method.
If the patch starts to detach, the edges lift, or it falls off
Less than a day(up to 24 hours):
More than a day(24 hours or more) or if you do not know how long:
You can become pregnant if you do not follow these instructions.
If you forget to change the transdermal patch
At the start of any patch cycle (Week 1, Day 1):
If you forget to place the patch, you may be at a very high risk of becoming pregnant.
In the middle of the cycle (Week 2 or 3):
If you forget to change the patch for one or two days (up to 48 hours):
No other contraceptive measures are necessary.
For more than 2 days(48 hours or more):
At the end of the patch cycle (Week 4):
If you forget to remove the patch:
No additional contraceptives are necessary.
If you experience absence or irregularities in bleeding with EVRA
This medication may cause unexpected vaginal bleeding or spotting during the weeks of patch use.
Even if you do not have your period during the week without the EVRA patch (Week 4), you must place a new patch on the usual "Patch Change Day".
If you use more EVRA than you should (more than one EVRA patch at a time)
Remove the patches and consult your doctor immediately.
Using too many patches can cause:
If you interrupt treatment with EVRA
You may have irregular, light, or absent menstruation. This usually occurs in the first 3 months, especially if your periods were not regular before starting to use this medication.
If you have any other doubts about the use of this medication, ask your doctor, pharmacist, or nurse.
Like all medicines, this medicine can cause adverse effects, although not all people suffer from them. If you suffer from any adverse effect, especially if it is severe and persistent, or have any change in health that you think may be due to EVRA, consult your doctor.
All women who take combined hormonal contraceptives are at a higher risk of developing blood clots in the veins [venous thromboembolism (VTE)] or blood clots in the arteries [arterial thromboembolism (ATE)]. For more detailed information on the different risks of taking combined hormonal contraceptives, see section 2 "What you need to know before you start using EVRA".
Very Common Adverse Effects (may affect more than 1 in 10 women):
Common Adverse Effects (may affect up to 1 in 10 women):
Uncommon Adverse Effects (may affect up to 1 in 100 women):
Rare Adverse Effects (may affect up to 1 in 1,000 women):
Harmful blood clots in a vein or artery, for example:
The chances of having a blood clot may be higher if you have any other condition that increases this risk (see section 2 for more information on conditions that increase the risk of blood clots and symptoms of a blood clot).
If you have stomach upset
You may have spotting or light bleeding or breast tenderness or feel unwell during the first 3 cycles. These symptoms usually go away, but if they do not, consult your doctor or pharmacist.
Reporting of Adverse Effects
If you experience any type of adverse effect, consult your doctor, pharmacist or nurse, even if it is a possible adverse effect that is not listed in this leaflet. You can also report them directly through the national reporting system included in Appendix V. By reporting adverse effects, you can help provide more information on the safety of this medicine.
Keep this medicine out of the sight and reach of children.
Do not use this medicine after the expiry date that appears on the label after "EXP". The expiry date is the last day of the month indicated.
Store in the original packaging to protect it from light and moisture.
Do not refrigerate or freeze.
Used patches still contain some active hormones. To protect the environment, they should be disposed of carefully. To dispose of the used patch, you should:
Medicines should not be thrown away in the drains or in the trash. Ask your pharmacist how to dispose of the packaging and medicines that you no longer need. This will help protect the environment.
Composition of EVRA
The active ingredients are norelgestromin and ethinylestradiol. Each transdermal patch of 20 cm2 contains 6 mg of norelgestromin and 600 micrograms of ethinylestradiol.
The active ingredients are released over 7 days, releasing an average of 203 micrograms of norelgestromin and 34 micrograms of ethinylestradiol every 24 hours.
The other ingredients are: outer layer: low-density pigmented polyethylene outer layer,
inner layer of polyester; intermediate layer: polyisobutylene/polybutene adhesive, crospovidone, non-woven polyester material, lauryl lactate; third layer: polyethylene terephthalate (PET) film, polydimethylsiloxane coating.
Appearance of the Product and Package Contents
EVRA is a thin, beige, plastic transdermal patch that bears the imprint "EVRA". The adhesive layer is stuck to the skin after removing the transparent plastic protective layer.
EVRA is available in the following package sizes: Boxes of 3, 9 or 18 patches in individual foil pouches, wrapped in sets of three, with a transparent plastic sheet perforated.
Only some package sizes may be marketed.
Marketing Authorization Holder and Manufacturer
Marketing Authorization Holder: Janssen-Cilag International NV Turnhoutseweg, 30, B-2340 Beerse, Belgium.
Manufacturer: Janssen-Pharmaceutica NV, Turnhoutseweg 30, B-2340 Beerse, Belgium.
You can request more information about this medicine by contacting the local representative of the Marketing Authorization Holder:
Belgium Janssen-Cilag NV Antwerpseweg 15-17 B-2340 Beerse Tel: + 32 14 64 94 11 | Lithuania UAB "JOHNSON & JOHNSON" Konstitucijos pr. 21C LT-08130 Vilnius Tel: +370 5 278 68 88 |
Bulgaria Johnson & Johnson Bulgaria EOOD 4, Nikolay Haytov str. 1113 Sofia Tel: +359 2 489 94 00 | Luxembourg Janssen-Cilag NV Antwerpseweg 15-17 B-2340 Beerse Belgium Tel: + 32 14 64 94 11 |
Czech Republic Janssen-Cilag s.r.o. Walterovo námestí 329/1 CZ-158 00 Prague 5 – Jinonice Tel: +420 227 012 227 | Hungary Janssen-Cilag Kft. Nagyenyed u. 8-14 H-1123 Budapest Tel: +36 1 884 2858 |
Denmark Janssen-Cilag A/S Bregnerødvej 133 DK-3460 Birkerød Tel: +45 45 94 82 82 | Malta AM.MANGION LTD Mangion Building, Triq Gdida fi Triq Valletta MT-Hal-Luqa LQA 6000 Tel: +356 2397 6000 |
Germany Janssen-Cilag GmbH Johnson & Johnson Platz 1 D-41470 Neuss Tel: +49 2137 955 955 | Netherlands Janssen-Cilag B.V. Graaf Engelbertlaan 75 NL-4837 DS Breda Tel: +31 76 711 1111 |
Estonia UAB "JOHNSON & JOHNSON" Estonian branch Lõõtsa 2 EE-11415 Tallinn Tel: +372 617 7410 | Norway Janssen-Cilag AS Postboks 144 NO-1325 Lysaker Tel: + 47 24 12 65 00 |
Greece Janssen-Cilag Φαρμακευτικ? Α.Ε.Β.Ε. Λεωφ?ρος Ειρ?νης 56 GR-151 21 Πε?κη, Αθ?να Tel: +30 210 80 90 000 | Austria Janssen-Cilag Pharma GmbH. Vorgartenstraße 206B A-1020 Vienna Tel: +43 1 610 300 |
Spain Janssen-Cilag, S.A. Paseo de las Doce Estrellas, 5-7 E-28042 Madrid Tel: +34 91 722 81 00 | Poland Janssen-Cilag Polska Sp. z o.o. ul. Ilzecka 24 PL-02-135 Warsaw Tel: + 48 22 237 60 00 |
France Janssen-Cilag 1, rue Camille Desmoulins, TSA 91003 F-92787 Issy Les Moulineaux, Cedex 9 Tel: 0800 25 50 75 / + 33 1 55 00 40 03 | Portugal Janssen-Cilag Farmacêutica, Lda. Lagoas Park, Edifício 9 PT-2740-262 Porto Salvo Tel: +351 214 368 600 |
Croatia Johnson & Johnson S.E. d.o.o. Oreškoviceva 6h 10010 Zagreb Tel: +385 1 6610 700 | Romania Johnson & Johnson România SRL Str. Tipografilor nr.11 – 15 Cladirea S-Park, Corp B3-B4, Etaj 3 013714 Bucuresti, ROMÂNIA Tel: +40 21 207 18 00 |
Ireland Janssen Sciences Ireland UC Barnahely Ringaskiddy IRL – Co. Cork P43 FA46 Tel: +353 1 800 709 122 | Slovenia Johnson & Johnson d.o.o. Šmartinska cesta 53 SI-1000, Ljubljana Tel: + 386 1 401 18 00 |
Iceland Janssen-Cilag AB c/o Vistor hf. Hörgatúni 2 IS-210 Garðabær Tel: (+354) 535 7000 | Slovakia Janssen, Johnson & Johnson, s.r.o. CBC III, Karadžicova 12 SK-821 08 Bratislava Tel: +421 232 408 400 |
Italy Janssen-Cilag SpA Via M.Buonarroti, 23 I-20093 Cologno Monzese MI Tel: +39 02 2510 1 | Finland Janssen-Cilag Oy Vaisalantie/Vaisalavägen 2 FI-02130 Espoo/Esbo Tel: +358 207 531 300 |
Cyprus Βαρν?βας Χατζηπαναγ?ς Λτδ Λεωφ?ρος Γι?ννου Κρανιδι?τη 226 Λατσι? CY-2234 Λευκωσ?α Tel: +357 22 207 700 | Sweden Janssen-Cilag AB Box 4042 SE-16904 Solna Tel: +46 8 626 50 00 |
Latvia UAB "JOHNSON & JOHNSON" Latvian branch Mukusalas iela 101 Riga, LV-1004 Tel: +371 678 93561 | United Kingdom Janssen-Cilag Ltd. 50-100 Holmers Farm Way High Wycombe Buckinghamshire HP12 4EG - UK Tel: +44 1 494 567 444 |
Date of Last Revision of this Leaflet:
Other Sources of Information
Detailed information about this medicine is available on the European Medicines Agency website: http://www.ema.europa.eu .