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Ortho Evra is a contraceptive skin patch is used to prevent pregnancy. The patch, to be changed once a week, contains hormones that are absorbed through the skin and into the body. The hormones stop the woman's egg from fully developing each month, which prevents fertilization.

Use exactly as directed by your physicain. Before use, read the product leaflet and make sure you understand everything it says. Your health care professional may begin your patch on the first day of your menstrual period (called Day-1 start) or on Sunday (called Sunday start). Follow the schedule you were given. If you have difficulties with it, consult your physicain. When starting to use Ortho Evra, use a second form of contraception, such as a condom, for the first 7 days of your first cycle. Keep each patch in the pouch it came in until you use it. The patch should be applied to clean, dry skin on the abdomen, upper body, upper outside part of the arm, or the buttocks. Do not apply a patch to injured skin or to the breasts. Change the location of the patch each time you apply a new one. When you apply the patch, avoid touching the sticky surface of the patch. Press it with the palm of your hand for 10 seconds to make sure it sticks. Check the patch every day to make sure it is in place. If the patch is not sticky or has stuck to material or itself, remove it and apply a new patch. Do not hold the patch in place with tape or wraps. If the patch peels away (even partly), try to apply it again, and if this fails use a new one. If it was loose less than 24 hours, no other form of birth control is needed. If it was loose for 24 hours or more, apply a new patch and start a new cycle, and use an additional birth control method. If you have been using contraceptive pills, start the patch on the first day of your period. If you do not start your period after 5 days, you see your health care professional for a pregnancy test. If you start the patch later than the first day of your period, use a second method of birth control with the patch for the first 7 days. If you have bleeding with the patch in place, continue to use the patches as usual. If the bleeding continues for 23 cycles, call your health care professional. If you do not have your period during the time the patch is off stay on your regular schedule and call your health care professional. If the patch is uncomfortable or causing irritation, change to a new patch in a new location. Change the patch again on your regular schedule. Do not use more than one patch at a time. When you remove a patch, carefully fold it and throw it away. Do not touch the inside of the patch.

Store patches in the pouches they come in. Do not refrigerate or freeze. Keep out of the reach of children.

If you forget to change your patch on time, you will need to follow your physicain's orders and the directions in the product leaflet. Your physicain may advise you to stop using Ortho Evra and switch to alternative birth control methods for the rest of the month. Generally speaking: If you forget to apply the patch during the 1st week, apply it as soon as possible and start a new cycle, then use a second form of birth control for the first week of the new cycle. Note your new patch start day. If you forget to change your patch in the 2nd or 3rd week for one or two days, change it as soon as you remember, and no other form of birth control is needed. If you forget to change your patch in the 2nd or 3rd week for more than two days, change to a new patch and start a new cycle. Use a second form of birth control for the first week of the new cycle. If you forget to remove your patch at the end of the 3rd week, remove it as soon as possible and then start a new patch on your regular start day. You should never have the patch off for more than 7 days in a row.

This information will be available soon.

This information will be available soon.

No contraceptive method is 100 percent effective. Contraceptive hormones such as those contained in the Ortho Evra patch do not prevent catching AIDS or other sexually transmitted diseases. The patch cannot substitute for emergency contraception ("morning after pill").

Ortho-McNeil Pharmaceutical, Inc. was formed by the 1993 merger of Ortho Pharmaceutical Corporation and McNeil Pharmaceutical. It is a wholly owned subsidiary of Johnson & Johnson, one of the world's largest manufacturers of health care products and provider of various health services. Ortho-McNeil headquarters are located in Raritan, N.J.