Ortho Evra

If you miss a menstrual period but have followed the Ortho Evra regimen correctly, contact your doctor but do not stop using the patches. If you miss a period and have not followed the regimen correctly, or if you miss two consecutive periods, you may be pregnant; stop using the patches and check with your doctor immediately to see if you are pregnant. Use another form of birth control while you're off the patch.

Ortho Evra may be less effective in women who weigh more than 198 pounds; if you fall into this category, ask your doctor which form of birth control is best for you.

Hormonal contraceptives do not protect against HIV infection (AIDS) or any other sexually transmitted disease. If there is a danger of infection, use a latex condom in addition to Ortho Evra.

Be sure to tell the doctor that you are taking Ortho Evra before having lab tests done, since certain blood tests may be affected by hormonal contraceptives.

Possible food and drug interactions when taking Ortho Evra

If hormonal contraceptives are taken with certain other drugs, the effects of either could be increased, decreased, or altered. It is especially important to check with your doctor before combining Ortho Evra with the following:

• Acetaminophen
• Antibiotics such as ampicillin and rifampin
• Anticonvulsants such as carbamazepine, felbamate, oxcarbazepine, phenytoin, and topiramate
• Aspirin
• Atorvastatin
• Barbiturates (phenobarbital, secobarbital)
• Clofibrate
• Cyclosporine
• Diabetes drugs such as
• Folic acid
• Griseofulvin
• Itraconazole
• Ketoconazole
• Morphine
• Phenylbutazone
• Prednisolone
• Protease inhibitors (HIV drugs such as indinavir and nelfinavir)
• St. John's wort
• Temazepam
• Theophylline
• Vitamin C

Remember, too, that hormonal contraceptives may affect tests for blood sugar levels and thyroid function and may cause an increase in blood triglyceride levels.

Special information if you are pregnant or breastfeeding

If you are pregnant (or think you might be), you should not use hormonal contraceptives, since they are not safe during pregnancy. For safety's sake, switch to a nonhormonal method of contraception if you miss a period and have not followed your patch schedule correctly. In addition, wait at least 4 weeks after delivery before starting Ortho Evra.