Often asked: Why Was Ortho Evra Discontinued?

Ortho Evra was discontinued in the U.S. after the FDA approved Xulane, a generic hormonal birth control patch, in 2014. Xulane delivers the same high levels of estrogen as the Ortho Evra patch. Like the Ortho Evra patch, Xulane’s label has a boxed warning of potential side effects.

Why is Ortho Evra patch being discontinued?

Why it’s no longer available The FDA warned that women who used the patch were being exposed to levels of estrogen far higher than women who use birth control pills. As much as another 60% more. Exposure to high levels of estrogen has been linked to an increased danger of blood clots.

What are the disadvantages of using Ortho Evra?

Possible side effects include:

• Mood changes.
• Headaches.
• Bleeding between periods.
• Breast tenderness.
• Nausea (sometimes with vomiting)

Is Ortho Evra patch safe?

The transdermal contraceptive patch is a safe and convenient birth control method that works really well if you always use it correctly. You wear the patch on certain parts of your body, and it releases hormones through your skin that prevent pregnancy. The patch has lots of other health benefits, too.

What is the difference between Xulane and Ortho Evra?

Ortho Evra® and Xulane® are both birth control patches. In fact, they both contain the exact same active ingredients. Ortho Evra is the older brand name, whereas Xulane is a generic version of the medication that emerged on the market more recently.

Did they discontinue Xulane?

The RLD Ortho Evra® has been discontinued, and according to the FDA announcement of discontinuation published in the Federal Register, the product was not discontinued or withdrawn for safety or efficacy reasons. Xulane® is the only other equivalent to Ortho Evra® currently available on the market.

Was Xulane discontinued?

Though Ortho Evra was discontinued by the manufacturer, Mylan’s Xulane has thus far been the only equivalent available until now.

Which birth control has the least side effects?

No form of birth control is free of side effects, but the IUD (intrauterine device) seems to have the least noticeable ones. That’s what makes it such a popular option among women of all ages.

What happens when you stop using birth control patch?

When you go off the patch, your body will eventually return to the way it was before you went on it. So if the patch made your periods lighter, your periods will probably get heavier once you stop using it. It can also take a few months for your period to go back to the cycle you had before you started using the patch.

What birth control will not make you gain weight?

And studies show that the pill, the ring, the patch, and the IUD don’t make you gain weight or lose weight. There are 2 methods of birth control that cause weight gain in some people who use them: the birth control shot and the birth control implant.

Does the patch cause blood clots?

The birth control patch delivers more estrogen than the low-dose birth control pills do. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) warns that women using the patch are slightly more likely to get dangerous blood clots in the legs and lungs than women using birth control pills.

Does Ortho Evra cause weight gain?

Many women have reported gaining weight after starting to use the Ortho Evra birth control patch. Women say that they have gained anywhere from 10 to 30 pounds while using the Ortho Evra patch.

Can you put the Evra patch on your thigh?

The patch can be worn on the skin of your lower abdomen, buttocks, back, or upper arm. Wherever you decide to put it, you must leave it there for 7 days. You should change the location of the patch each week.

Is Xulane generic for Ortho Evra?

As of April 16, 2014, the FDA has approved Xulane by Mylan Pharmaceuticals as a generic alternative for the Ortho Evra contraceptive patch.

Why does Xulane have more estrogen?

Hormones from Xulane get into the blood stream and are processed by the body differently than hormones from birth control pills. You will be exposed to about 60% more estrogen if you use the patch than if you use a typical birth control pill containing 35 micrograms of estrogen.

Does Xulane make you gain weight?

But if you think you could be pregnant, take a pregnancy test or call your doctor. When you first start using Xulane, the hormones in Xulane could cause your breasts to grow slightly. But this effect is usually temporary. Xulane can sometimes cause weight gain.