Avoid smoking. Smoking greatly increases your risk of heart attack, stroke, or blood clot formation.
Also, do not use Ortho Evra if you are pregnant or you think you may be pregnant or nursing. Ortho Evra is in the FDA pregnancy category X, which means that it's known to cause birth defects and complications in unborn babies and nursing infants.
The drugs in this patch may cause blotchy, dark areas on your skin (melasma) and sunlight may intensify this effect. If this occurs, avoid prolonged sun exposure, use a sunscreen, and wear protective clothing when outdoors.
Ortho Evra patches do not protect you from sexually transmitted diseases. Using a condom is the only way you can protect yourself from HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases.
More common Ortho Evra side effects may include: nausea, vomiting, headache, redness or itching at the patch application site, dizziness, breast tenderness, vaginal discomfort/irritation, or stomach cramping/bloating may occur.
Less common Ortho Evra side effects may include: dark patches on the skin (melasma), change in appetite, weight changes (gain or loss), problem wearing contact lenses.
Rare Ortho Evra side effects may include: unusual vaginal discharge, changes in vaginal bleeding (e.g., spotting, breakthrough bleeding, prolonged or complete stoppage of bleeding), swelling, severe headache, mental/mood changes.
Very rare but still serious Ortho Evra side effects may include: pain in the groin or lower legs, trouble breathing, rash, chest pain, stomach pain, vision or eye problems, yellowing eyes or skin, dark urine, one-sided weakness, numbness in the arms/legs, lumps in the breast.
