ORTHO EVRA SUMMARY
ORTHO EVRA®
(norelgestromin / ethinyl estradiol TRANSDERMAL SYSTEM)
ORTHO EVRA® is a combination transdermal contraceptive patch with a contact surface area of 20 cm2. It contains 6.00 mg norelgestromin (NGMN) and 0.75 mg ethinyl estradiol (EE). Systemic exposures (as measured by area under the curve [AUC] and steady state concentration [Css]) of NGMN and EE during use of ORTHO EVRA® are higher and peak concentrations (Cmax) are lower than those produced by an oral contraceptive containing norgestimate 250 µg / EE 35 µg. (See BOLDED WARNING ; CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY, Transdermal versus Oral Contraceptives ). ORTHO EVRA® is a thin, matrix-type transdermal contraceptive patch consisting of three layers. The backing layer is composed of a beige flexible film consisting of a low-density pigmented polyethylene outer layer and a polyester inner layer. It provides structural support and protects the middle adhesive layer from the environment. The middle layer contains polyisobutylene/polybutene adhesive, crospovidone, non-woven polyester fabric and lauryl lactate as inactive components. The active components in this layer are the hormones, norelgestromin and ethinyl estradiol. The third layer is the release liner, which protects the adhesive layer during storage and is removed just prior to application. It is a transparent polyethylene terephthalate (PET) film with a polydimethylsiloxane coating on the side that is in contact with the middle adhesive layer. The outside of the backing layer is heat-stamped "ORTHO EVRA®".
ORTHO EVRA® is indicated for the prevention of pregnancy in women who elect to use a transdermal patch as a method of contraception.
The pharmacokinetic profile for the ORTHO EVRA® transdermal patch is different from that of an oral contraceptive. Healthcare professionals should balance the higher estrogen exposure and the possible increase risk of venous thromboembolism with ORTHO EVRA® against the chance of pregnancy if a contraceptive pill is not taken daily. (See BOLDED WARNING ; WARNINGS; CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY, Transdermal versus Oral Contraceptives ).
Like oral contraceptives, ORTHO EVRA® is highly effective if used as recommended in this label.
In 3 large clinical trials in North America, Europe and South Africa, 3,330 women (ages 18-45) completed 22,155 cycles of ORTHO EVRA® use, pregnancy rates were approximately 1 per 100 women-years of ORTHO EVRA® use. The racial distribution was 91% Caucasian, 4.9% Black, 1.6% Asian, and 2.4% Other.
With respect to weight, 5 of the 15 pregnancies reported with ORTHO EVRA® use were among women with a baseline body weight ≥198 lbs. (90kg), which constituted <3% of the study population. The greater proportion of pregnancies among women at or above 198 lbs. was statistically significant and suggests that ORTHO EVRA® may be less effective in these women.
Health Care Professionals who consider ORTHO EVRA® for women at or above 198 lbs. should discuss the patient's individual needs in choosing the most appropriate contraceptive option.
Table 4 lists the accidental pregnancy rates for users of various methods of contraception. The efficacy of these contraceptive methods, except sterilization, IUD, and Norplant depends upon the reliability with which they are used. Correct and consistent use of methods can result in lower failure rates.
Table 4: Percentage of Women Experiencing an Unintended Pregnancy During the First Year of Typical Use and the First Year of Perfect Use of Contraception and the Percentage Continuing Use at the End of the First Year. United States. % of Women Experiencing an Unintended Pregnancy within the
First Year of Use | % of Women Continuing Use at One Year3 |
|---|
| Method | Typical Use1 | Perfect Use2 | |
|---|
| (1) | (2) | (3) | (4) |
|---|
| Hatcher et al, 1998, Ref. # 1. |
| Chance4 | 85 | 85 | |
| Spermicides5 | 26 | 6 | 40 |
| Periodic abstinence | 25 | | 63 |
| Calendar | | 9 | |
| Ovulation Method | | 3 | |
| Sympto-Thermal6 | | 2 | |
| Post-Ovulation | | 1 | |
| Cap7 | | | |
| Parous Women | 40 | 26 | 42 |
| Nulliparous Women | 20 | 9 | 56 |
| Sponge | | | |
| Parous Women | 40 | 20 | 42 |
| Nulliparous Women | 20 | 9 | 56 |
| Diaphragm7 | 20 | 6 | 56 |
| Withdrawal | 19 | 4 | |
| Condom8 | | | |
| Female (Reality®) | 21 | 5 | 56 |
| Male | 14 | 3 | 61 |
| Pill | 5 | | 71 |
| Progestin Only | | 0.5 | |
| Combined | | 0.1 | |
| IUD | | | |
| Progesterone T | 2.0 | 1.5 | 81 |
| Copper T380A | 0.8 | 0.6 | 78 |
| LNg 20 | 0.1 | 0.1 | 81 |
| Depo-Provera® | 0.3 | 0.3 | 70 |
| Norplant® and Norplant-2® | 0.05 | 0.05 | 88 |
| Female Sterilization | 0.5 | 0.5 | 100 |
| Male Sterilization | 0.15 | 0.10 | 100 |
Emergency Contraceptive Pills
Treatment initiated within 72 hours after unprotected intercourse reduces the risk of pregnancy by at least 75%.9
Lactational Amenorrhea Method
LAM is highly effective, temporary method of contraception.10
Source: Trussell J, Contraceptive efficacy. In Hatcher RA, Trussell J, Stewart F, Cates W, Stewart GK, Kowal D, Guest F, Contraceptive Technology: Seventeenth Revised Edition. New York NY: Irvington Publishers, 1998.
- 1 Among typical couples who initiate use of a method (not necessarily for the first time), the percentage who experience an accidental pregnancy during the first year if they do not stop use for any other reason.
- 2 Among couples who initiate use of a method (not necessarily for the first time) and who use it perfectly (both consistently and correctly), the percentage who experience an accidental pregnancy during the first year if they do not stop use for any other reason.
- 3 Among couples attempting to avoid pregnancy, the percentage who continue to use a method for one year.
- 4 The percents becoming pregnant in columns (2) and (3) are based on data from populations where contraception is not used and from women who cease using contraception in order to become pregnant. Among such populations, about 89% become pregnant within one year. This estimate was lowered slightly (to 85%) to represent the percent who would become pregnant within one year among women now relying on reversible methods of contraception if they abandoned contraception altogether.
- 5 Foams, creams, gels, vaginal suppositories, and vaginal film.
- 6 Cervical mucus (ovulation) method supplemented by calendar in the pre-ovulatory and basal body temperature in the post-ovulatory phases.
- 7 With spermicidal cream or jelly.
- 8 Without spermicides.
- 9 The treatment schedule is one dose within 72 hours after unprotected intercourse, and a second dose 12 hours after the first dose. The Food and Drug Administration has declared the following brands of oral contraceptives to be safe and effective for emergency contraception: Ovral® (1 dose is 2 white pills), Alesse® (1 dose is 5 pink pills), Nordette® or Levlen® (1 dose is 2 light-orange pills), Lo/Ovral® (1 dose is 4 white pills), Triphasil® or Tri-Levlen® (1 dose is 4 yellow pills).
- 10 However, to maintain effective protection against pregnancy, another method of contraception must be used as soon as menstruation resumes, the frequency or duration of breastfeeds is reduced, bottle feeds are introduced, or the baby reaches six months of age.
ORTHO EVRA® has not been studied for and is not indicated for use in emergency contraception.
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