Evra – contraceptive preparation. Composition, dosage, side effects of using the drug

Evra is a combined contraceptive preparation containing estrogen and progestogen. It is indicated in women of childbearing age to prevent pregnancy. The active substances contained in the preparation are synthetic hormonal derivatives: norelgestromin and ethinylestradiol. Evra patches are available from a pharmacy with a prescription.

Evra, Producer: Janssen-Cilag

Evra – indications for use

Prevention of pregnancy in women of childbearing age.

Evra and contraindications

1. Hypersensitivity to any component of the preparation,
2. current or history of venous thrombosis with or without pulmonary embolism
3. Current or history of arterial thrombosis (e.g. cerebral circulation disorders,
4. myocardial infarction,
5. retinal artery thrombosis) or warning signs of thrombosis (e.g. angina, transient ischemic attack)
6. migraine with a focal aura,
7. severe or multiple risk factors for arterial thrombosis (severe arterial hypertension [persistent systolic blood pressure> = 160 mm Hg or diastolic pressure> = 100 mm Hg], diabetes with vascular changes, hereditary dyslipoproteinemia,
8. the possibility of a hereditary predisposition to the development of venous or arterial thrombosis [resistance to activated protein C,
9. antithrombin III deficiency,
10. protein C deficiency,
11. protein S deficiency,
12. hiperhomocysteinemia,
13. presence of antiphospholipid antibodies such as anticardiolipin antibodies and lupus anticoagulant]),
14. diagnosis or suspicion of breast cancer,
15. endometrial cancer or other estrogen-dependent neoplasm,
16. liver dysfunction associated with acute or chronic liver disease,
17. liver adenoma or cancer
18. unexplained vaginal bleeding,
19. pregnancy.

Dosage of Evra

1. The Evra patch should be applied on the 1st day of the cycle, then changed to a new one on the 8th and 15th day of the cycle, from the 22nd to the 28th day of the cycle, the patch does not stick, during this time bleeding may occur.

Then a new course of Evra treatment should be started. The break in using the preparation cannot be longer than 7 days. Apply the patch at any time on the day of changing the patch onto clean, dry, hairless and intact skin around the buttocks, abdomen, upper outer part of the arm, upper body, in a place where tight clothing will not rub the patch, changing the application site.

Evra – warnings

1. Before using Evra for the first time, the doctor will discuss the risk factors and contraindications with you for the first time, assess her health, measure blood pressure and rule out pregnancy.
2. The contraceptive effectiveness of the preparation may be reduced in people weighing over 90 kg.
3. Jaundice and / or pruritus related to cholestasis, cholelithiasis, porphyria, systemic lupus erythematosus, haemolytic uremic syndrome may occur or worsen while taking hormonal contraceptives.
4. In some women, withdrawal bleeding may not occur during the application break.
5. Irregular bleeding (spotting or breakthrough bleeding) may occur when taking hormonal contraceptives, especially in the first months of using the patch.
6. Diabetic women should be closely monitored, especially in the early stage of using hormonal contraceptives.
7. The risk of arterial thromboembolic complications increases with age and is also greater in people with dyslipoproteinemia.

Other Medicines and Evra

The following drugs should not be taken in parallel with Evra, stimulating hepatic metabolism and thus reducing the concentration of the preparation in the blood and its effectiveness:

1. phenobarbital, prymidon, ryfampicyna, ryfabutyna, bosnetan, fosaprepitant;
2. karbamazepine, octan eslikarbazepiny, felbamat, okskarbamazepine, phenytoin, rufinamid, topiramat;
3. nefinawir, rytonawir, newirapina, efawirenz;
4. griseofulvin.

Evra – side effects

Among the side effects of the contraceptive Evra we can distinguish: dryness of the vulva and vagina, generalized edema, peripheral edema, injection site reactions, increase in blood pressure, lipid disorders, headache, nausea, breast tenderness, dysmenorrhea, vaginal bleeding and menstrual disorders, uterine contraction, breast disorders, vaginal discharge, malaise, fatigue, injection site reactions (erythema, irritation, itching, rash), weight gain, pulmonary embolism, colitis, cholecystitis, gallstones, liver damage, cholestatic jaundice, bile retention, edema vascular, erythema (multiforme, nodular), chloasma, rash with peeling skin, generalized itching, rash (erythematous, pruritic), seborrheic dermatitis.