Questions and answers about ORTHO EVRA®.
  1. What do data say on compliance with ORTHO EVRA®?
    ORTHO EVRA® demonstrates consistently better compliance vs an OC with up to 97% perfect compliance in nearly 6000 total cycles.1 In a clinical study, patch users had significantly more cycles with perfect compliance* and significantly fewer cycles with dosing errors than OC users (P<0.001).1 Overall, ORTHO EVRA® showed better compliance across all cycles and age groups.
  2. What is the breakthrough bleeding profile of ORTHO EVRA®?
    ORTHO EVRA® has a favorable breakthrough bleeding profile with only 0.5% of women discontinuing the Patch due to bleeding in clinical trials.2 In another study, there were no statistically significant differences between ORTHO EVRA® and a triphasic OC comparator with respect to breakthrough bleeding at any cycle.3
  3. Are patients satisfied with ORTHO EVRA®?
    The Patch is associated with high patient satisfaction. In a randomized, open-label, parallel-group multinational study of 1517 women, more women reported they were “very satisfied” with ORTHO EVRA® vs an OC.1
  4. Where can ORTHO EVRA® be applied?
    ORTHO EVRA® has 4 discreet application sites: the upper outer arm, abdomen, buttock, and upper torso (excluding the breasts).
  5. Are there data to support the adhesion of ORTHO EVRA®?
    ORTHO EVRA® is proven to stay put—even with swimming, exercise, and humidity. A health club study showed that adhesion was not affected by typical activities in a gym, including cool water, whirlpool, sauna, treadmill, or a combination of activities.

     

    Experience with more than 70,000 ORTHO EVRA® patches worn for contraception for 6-13 cycles showed that 4.7% of patches were replaced because they either fell off (1.8%) or were partially detached (2.9%). Similarly, in a small study of patch wear under conditions of physical exertion and variable temperature and humidity, less than 2% of patches were replaced for complete or partial detachment.
  6. How do you switch from the Pill to the Patch?
    When switching patients from the Pill to the Patch, have your patients complete their current cycle of pills. After their current cycle is complete, patients can either apply ORTHO EVRA® on the first day of their period (Day 1 Start) or on the Sunday after the first day of their period (Sunday Start). For a Sunday Start, nonhormonal backup contraception, such as a condom, spermicide, diaphragm, or abstinence, must be used for the first 7 days.
  7. What are the side effects associated with ORTHO EVRA®?
    Serious as well as minor side effects have been reported with the use of hormonal contraceptives. Serious risks include blood clots, stroke and heart attacks. Cigarette smoking increases the risk of serious cardiovascular side effects, especially in women over 35. Women who use the contraceptive patch are strongly advised not to smoke.

     

    The results of several epidemiological studies evaluating the risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE) among women using ORTHO EVRA® compared to those using oral contraceptives containing 30-35 mcg of ethinyl estradiol and either levonorgestrel or norgestimate reported odds ratios ranging from 0.9 (no increase in risk) to 2.5 (approximate doubling in risk).

     

    Frequently reported common side effects leading to discontinuation in 1.0% to 2.4% of women include nausea and/or vomiting, application-site reaction, breast symptoms,† headache, and emotional lability.2  

*Perfect compliance was defined as 21 consecutive days of drug followed by a 7-day drug-free period with no patch worn for more than 8 days.

†Breast symptoms include pain, discomfort, and engorgement.
    References
  1. Urdl W, Apter D, Alperstein A, et al, for the ORTHO EVRA/EVRA 003 Study Group. Contraceptive efficacy, compliance and beyond: factors related to satisfaction with once-weekly transdermal compared with oral contraception. Eur J Obstet Gynecol  Reprod Biol. 2005;121:202-210.
  2. Data on file, Ortho-McNeil-Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
  3. Audet M-C, Moreau M, Koltun WD, et al, for the ORTHO EVRA/EVRA 004 Study Group. Evaluation of contraceptive efficacy and cycle control of a transdermal contraceptive patch vs an oral contraceptive: a randomized controlled trial. JAMA. 2001;285:2347-2354.