Ethinyl Estradiol and Norelgestromin

This information from Lexicomp^® explains what you need to know about this medication, including what it’s used for, how to take it, its side effects, and when to call your healthcare provider.

Brand Names: US

Xulane; Zafemy

Brand Names: Canada

Evra

What is this drug used for?

• It is used to prevent pregnancy. If you have been given this drug for some other reason, talk with your doctor for more information.

What do I need to tell my doctor BEFORE I take this drug?

• If you are allergic to this drug; any part of this drug; or any other drugs, foods, or substances. Tell your doctor about the allergy and what signs you had.
• If you have had any of these health problems: Blood clots, blood clotting problem, breast cancer or other cancer where hormones make it grow, diseased blood vessels in the brain or heart, heart valve problems, heart disease, certain types of abnormal heartbeats like atrial fibrillation, chest pain caused by angina, heart attack, stroke, high blood pressure, liver tumor or other liver problems, severe headache or migraine, or diabetes.
• If you have had any of these health problems: Endometrial cancer, cancer of the cervix or vagina, or vaginal bleeding where the cause is not known.
• If you have eyesight problems like loss of eyesight from blood vessel problems in the eye.
• If you have taken ombitasvir, paritaprevir, and ritonavir (with or without dasabuvir) within the past 2 weeks.
• Certain drugs, herbal products, or health problems may cause hormone-based birth control to not work as well. Be sure your doctor knows about all of your drugs and health problems. You will need to see if you also need to use a non-hormone form of birth control like condoms.
• If you turned yellow while pregnant or with estrogen use like hormonal birth control.
• If you are pregnant or may be pregnant. Do not take this drug if you are pregnant.

This is not a list of all drugs or health problems that interact with this drug.

Tell your doctor and pharmacist about all of your drugs (prescription or OTC, natural products, vitamins) and health problems. You must check to make sure that it is safe for you to take this drug with all of your drugs and health problems. Do not start, stop, or change the dose of any drug without checking with your doctor.

What are some things I need to know or do while I take this drug?

• Tell all of your health care providers that you take this drug. This includes your doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and dentists. This drug may need to be stopped before certain types of surgery as your doctor has told you. If this drug is stopped, your doctor will tell you when to start taking this drug again after your surgery or procedure.
• This drug may raise the chance of blood clots, a stroke, or a heart attack. Talk with the doctor.
• You will get more estrogen if you use this drug than if you use some other birth control pills. This may raise the risk of side effects like blood clots. Talk with your doctor.
• Talk with your doctor if you will need to be still for long periods of time like long trips, bedrest after surgery, or illness. Not moving for long periods may raise your chance of blood clots.
• If you weigh 198 pounds (90 kilograms) or more, this drug may not work as well to prevent pregnancy. Talk with your doctor.
• If you have high blood sugar (diabetes), talk with your doctor. This drug may raise blood sugar.
• Check your blood sugar as you have been told by your doctor.
• Tell your doctor if you have signs of high blood sugar like confusion, feeling sleepy, unusual thirst or hunger, passing urine more often, flushing, fast breathing, or breath that smells like fruit.
• This drug may cause high cholesterol and triglyceride levels. Talk with the doctor.
• Have blood work checked as you have been told by the doctor. Talk with the doctor.
• High blood pressure has happened with drugs like this one. Have your blood pressure checked as you have been told by your doctor.
• Be sure to have regular breast exams and gynecology check-ups. You will also need to do breast self-exams as you have been told.
• This drug may affect certain lab tests. Tell all of your health care providers and lab workers that you take this drug.
• This drug does not stop the spread of diseases like HIV or hepatitis that are passed through having sex. Do not have any kind of sex without using a latex or polyurethane condom. If you have questions, talk with your doctor.
• The chance of getting cervical cancer may be higher in people who take hormone-based birth control. However, this may be due to other reasons. If you have questions, talk with the doctor.
• Some studies have shown the risk of breast cancer is raised when taking hormone-based birth control for a long time. However, other studies have not shown this risk. If you have questions, talk with the doctor.
• This drug may cause dark patches of skin on your face. Avoid sun, sunlamps, and tanning beds. Use sunscreen and wear clothing and eyewear that protects you from the sun.
• Do not use in children who have not had their first menstrual period.
• If you have any signs of pregnancy or if you have a positive pregnancy test, call your doctor right away.
• Tell your doctor if you are breast-feeding. You will need to talk about any risks to your baby.

What are some side effects that I need to call my doctor about right away?

WARNING/CAUTION: Even though it may be rare, some people may have very bad and sometimes deadly side effects when taking a drug. Tell your doctor or get medical help right away if you have any of the following signs or symptoms that may be related to a very bad side effect:

• Signs of an allergic reaction, like rash; hives; itching; red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin with or without fever; wheezing; tightness in the chest or throat; trouble breathing, swallowing, or talking; unusual hoarseness; or swelling of the mouth, face, lips, tongue, or throat.
• Signs of liver problems like dark urine, tiredness, decreased appetite, upset stomach or stomach pain, light-colored stools, throwing up, or yellow skin or eyes.
• Signs of high blood pressure like very bad headache or dizziness, passing out, or change in eyesight.
• Signs of gallbladder problems like pain in the upper right belly area, right shoulder area, or between the shoulder blades; change in stools; dark urine or yellow skin or eyes; or fever with chills.
• Weakness on 1 side of the body, trouble speaking or thinking, change in balance, drooping on one side of the face, or blurred eyesight.
• Depression or other mood changes.
• Feeling very tired or weak.
• Eyesight changes or loss, bulging eyes, or change in how contact lenses feel.
• A lump in the breast, breast pain or soreness, or nipple discharge.
• Vaginal itching or discharge.
• Spotting or vaginal bleeding that is very bad or does not go away.
• This drug may cause you to swell or keep fluid in your body. Tell your doctor if you have swelling, weight gain, or trouble breathing.
• Call your doctor right away if you have signs of a blood clot like chest pain or pressure; coughing up blood; shortness of breath; swelling, warmth, numbness, change of color, or pain in a leg or arm; or trouble speaking or swallowing.

What are some other side effects of this drug?

All drugs may cause side effects. However, many people have no side effects or only have minor side effects. Call your doctor or get medical help if any of these side effects or any other side effects bother you or do not go away:

• Weight gain.
• Headache.
• Upset stomach or throwing up.
• Stomach pain or cramps.
• Bloating.
• Enlarged breasts.
• Breast soreness.
• Period (menstrual) changes. These include lots of bleeding, spotting, or bleeding between cycles.
• Lowered interest in sex.
• Irritation where this drug is used.

These are not all of the side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, call your doctor. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.

You may report side effects to your national health agency.

You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-332-1088. You may also report side effects at https://www.fda.gov/medwatch.

How is this drug best taken?

Use this drug as ordered by your doctor. Read all information given to you. Follow all instructions closely.

• Put patch on once a week for 3 weeks. Put it on the same day each week. Do not use patch on the 4th week.
• Put patch on clean, dry, healthy skin on the buttock, belly, upper arm, or back.
• Move the site with each patch.
• Do not put on the breast.
• Do not put the patch on the waistline.
• Do not put on skin that is irritated or damaged. Do not put on an area with skin folds or skin that will be rubbed by tight clothes.
• Do not cut or divide patches. Do not use patches that are damaged.
• Do not use adhesives or wraps to hold the patch in place.
• Do not put on skin where you have just used creams, oils, lotions, powder, or other skin products. The patch may not stick as well.
• After starting this drug, you may need to use a non-hormone type of birth control like condoms to prevent pregnancy for some time. Follow what your doctor has told you to do about using a non-hormone type of birth control.
• Do not skip doses, even if you do not have sex very often.
• Do not put on more than 1 patch at a time.
• If you miss 2 periods in a row, take a pregnancy test before starting a new dosing cycle.
• If this drug has not been used the right way and 1 monthly period is missed, take a pregnancy test.
• Put the same patch on the same place if it falls off and has been off for less than 24 hours.
• Put on a new patch if the patch being used is no longer sticky or if it is sticking to itself or some other surface.
• If a patch has been off for more than 1 day, you may not be protected from pregnancy. Put a new patch on to start a new 4 week cycle. Use another type of birth control like a condom during the first week of the new cycle.
• If you drink grapefruit juice or eat grapefruit often, talk with your doctor.

What do I do if I miss a dose?

• If a dose is missed, check the package insert or call the doctor to find out what to do. If using this drug to prevent pregnancy, a non-hormone form of birth control like condoms may need to be used for some time to prevent pregnancy.

How do I store and/or throw out this drug?

• Store at room temperature. Do not refrigerate or freeze.
• Store in pouch until ready for use.
• After you take off a skin patch, be sure to fold the sticky sides of the patch to each other. Throw away used patches where children and pets cannot get to them.
• Keep all drugs in a safe place. Keep all drugs out of the reach of children and pets.
• Throw away unused or expired drugs. Do not flush down a toilet or pour down a drain unless you are told to do so. Check with your pharmacist if you have questions about the best way to throw out drugs. There may be drug take-back programs in your area.

General drug facts

• If your symptoms or health problems do not get better or if they become worse, call your doctor.
• Do not share your drugs with others and do not take anyone else’s drugs.
• Some drugs may have another patient information leaflet. If you have any questions about this drug, please talk with your doctor, nurse, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
• Some drugs may have another patient information leaflet. Check with your pharmacist. If you have any questions about this drug, please talk with your doctor, nurse, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
• If you think there has been an overdose, call your poison control center or get medical care right away. Be ready to tell or show what was taken, how much, and when it happened.

Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer

This generalized information is a limited summary of diagnosis, treatment, and/or medication information. It is not meant to be comprehensive and should be used as a tool to help the user understand and/or assess potential diagnostic and treatment options. It does NOT include all information about conditions, treatments, medications, side effects, or risks that may apply to a specific patient. It is not intended to be medical advice or a substitute for the medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment of a health care provider based on the health care provider’s examination and assessment of a patient’s specific and unique circumstances. Patients must speak with a health care provider for complete information about their health, medical questions, and treatment options, including any risks or benefits regarding use of medications. This information does not endorse any treatments or medications as safe, effective, or approved for treating a specific patient. UpToDate, Inc. and its affiliates disclaim any warranty or liability relating to this information or the use thereof. The use of this information is governed by the Terms of Use, available at https://www.wolterskluwer.com/en/know/clinical-effectiveness-terms.

Last Reviewed Date

2022-10-24

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