Ethinyl estradiol is a form of estrogen and norelgestromin is a form of progesterone. These are both female hormones involved in conception. The ethinyl estradiol and norelgestromin topical patch releases estrogen and progesterone that are absorbed directly through the skin.

Ethinyl estradiol and norelgestromin is used to prevent pregnancy.

Ethinyl estradiol and norelgestromin may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.

Special precautions

Do not use ethinyl estradiol and norelgestromin without first talking to your doctor if you have or have had:

• Heavy smoking (15 or more cigarettes per day) and over age 35.
• need an extended period of bed rest due to surgery or illness; or
• unexplained vaginal bleeding;
• any type of breast, uterine, cervix, vaginal or other hormone-dependent cancer;
• headaches with neurological symptoms;
• liver tumors or liver disease;
• yellowing of the whites of the eyes or skin (jaundice) during pregnancy or with prior use of hormonal birth control;
• diabetes with complications of the kidneys, nerves or blood vessels;
• stroke;
• chest pain (angina pectoris), severe high blood pressure, heart attack, or disease of the heart valves with complications;
• blood clots in your legs (thrombosis), lungs (pulmonary embolism), or eyes;

Before using ethinyl estradiol and norelgestromin, tell your doctor if you have a family history of breast cancer; smoke cigarettes; a history of scanty or irregular menstrual periods; a history of depression; epilepsy; migraines or other headaches; gallbladder disease; kidney disease; liver disease; heart disease; high blood pressure; high cholesterol; diabetes; or abnormal mammogram; abnormal breast x-ray; fibrocystic disease; breast nodules; or need an extended period of bed rest due to surgery or illness.

Ethinyl estradiol and norelgestromin is in the FDA pregnancy category X.

This means that ethinyl estradiol and norelgestromin is known to cause birth defects in an unborn baby. Do not use ethinyl estradiol and norelgestromin if you are pregnant.

Ethinyl estradiol and norelgestromin may decrease milk flow and have other effects on milk composition. Do not use ethinyl estradiol and norelgestromin without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

Side effects

If you experience any of the following serious side effects, stop using ethinyl estradiol and norelgestromin and seek emergency medical attention or contact your doctor immediately:

• New or changing breast lumps.
• Severe problems with difficulty sleeping, fatigue, lack of energy, weakness, or a change in mood (possible severe depression).
• swelling (edema) of the fingers or ankles; or
• irregular vaginal bleeding or spotting that happens in more than 1 menstrual cycle or lasts for more than a few days;
• severe pain, swelling, or tenderness in the abdomen (gallbladder or liver problems);
• yellowing of the skin or whites of the eyes (jaundice), dark colored urine, loss of appetite, tiredness, especially with fever, or light colored bowel movements (possible liver problems);
• sudden partial or complete loss of vision (possible clot in the eye);
• sudden severe headache or vomiting, dizziness, faintness or problems with vision or speech, weakness or numbness in an arm or leg (possible stroke);
• crushing chest pain or heaviness in the chest (possible heart attack);
• pain in the calf (possible blood clot in the leg);
• sharp chest pain, coughing blood or sudden shortness of breath (possible blood clot in the lung);
• an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; swelling of the lips, tongue, or face; closing of the throat; or hives)

Other, less serious side effects may be more likely to occur. Continue to use ethinyl estradiol and norelgestromin and talk to your doctor if you experience

• Changes in blood sugar.
• changes in skin color; or
• intolerance to contact lenses;
• water retention;
• changes in weight or appetite;
• changes in menstrual cycle or breast tenderness;
• headache or dizziness;

Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.

Keep all appointments with your doctor.

Don’t let anyone else take your medicines.