Evra Patches

Contraception Without a Daily Tablet

For women who find taking a pill at the same time every day difficult to maintain consistently, a weekly contraceptive patch can offer a practical alternative. The Evra patch is a combined hormonal contraceptive that delivers norelgestromin and ethinylestradiol through the skin over seven days. It is licensed in the United Kingdom for the prevention of pregnancy and works on the same hormonal principles as combined oral contraceptives, but through a transdermal route that removes the need for daily tablet-taking.

The patch is worn continuously on the skin for seven days, then replaced with a new patch. You follow a three-week wear schedule followed by a one-week patch-free interval. Because hormones are absorbed directly through the skin at a steady rate, the patch avoids the peak and trough hormone levels associated with once-daily oral dosing.

Evra is a transdermal patch (a patch worn on the skin) that contains two hormones: norelgestromin and ethinylestradiol. Each patch delivers norelgestromin at 203 micrograms per 24 hours and ethinylestradiol at 33.9 micrograms per 24 hours. Norelgestromin is a synthetic progestogen and is the active metabolite of norgestimate. Ethinylestradiol is a synthetic oestrogen.

Evra is manufactured by Janssen-Cilag Ltd and is licensed in the UK as a combined hormonal contraceptive for adult women. Each patch is a small, beige, square adhesive patch, designed to remain in place during normal daily activities including bathing, showering, swimming, and exercise, though correct application is important to ensure it adheres reliably.

Evra is a Prescription Only Medicine and requires a valid prescription issued by a registered clinician before it can be supplied. A clinical consultation is necessary to confirm suitability, rule out contraindications, and ensure the patch is the appropriate contraceptive choice for your health circumstances.

Transdermal Hormone Delivery

The Evra patch works by continuously releasing norelgestromin and ethinylestradiol through the skin and into the bloodstream. This transdermal delivery maintains relatively steady hormone levels throughout the seven days the patch is worn, in contrast to an oral pill, which produces a peak in hormone levels shortly after ingestion followed by a gradual decline.

Suppressing Ovulation

The primary contraceptive mechanism of Evra is the suppression of ovulation. Ethinylestradiol and norelgestromin act on the pituitary gland to inhibit the release of follicle-stimulating hormone and luteinising hormone. Without the luteinising hormone surge that triggers egg release, ovulation does not occur.

Secondary Mechanisms

Evra also provides secondary contraceptive protection through two additional mechanisms:

• Thickening of cervical mucus, which makes it more difficult for sperm to travel through the cervix.
• Changes to the endometrium (uterine lining), reducing its receptiveness to implantation.

Cycle Regulation

Women using the Evra patch typically experience a withdrawal bleed during the seven-day patch-free week. This bleed is not a true menstrual period but is caused by the drop in hormone levels when the patch is removed. It is often lighter and more predictable than a natural menstrual period.

Starting Your First Patch

The timing of your first patch depends on your circumstances. Your prescriber will advise:

• Day 1 start: apply your first patch on the first day of your period. You are protected from pregnancy immediately.
• Day 2 to 5 start: apply your first patch within the first five days of your period. Use additional contraception such as condoms for the first seven days.
• Switching from a combined pill: apply the first patch on the day you would have started your next pack of pills or on the first day after your tablet-free interval. You remain protected immediately.
• Switching from a progestogen-only pill: apply the first patch on any day. Use additional contraception for the first seven days.

The Three-Week Cycle

The Evra patch is used on a four-week cycle: three weeks of wearing patches followed by one week without a patch.

• Week 1: apply your first patch on your chosen start day. Wear it for exactly seven days.
• Week 2: on day 8, remove the old patch and apply a new patch to a different area of skin. Wear it for seven days.
• Week 3: on day 15, remove the old patch and apply a third patch to a different area of skin. Wear it for seven days.
• Week 4 (patch-free week): on day 22, remove the third patch. Do not apply a new patch for seven days. A withdrawal bleed usually occurs during this week.
• Begin the next four-week cycle on day 29, applying a new patch on the same day of the week as your first patch.

Where to Apply the Patch

Apply the patch to clean, dry, healthy skin in one of the following areas: the buttocks, the abdomen, the upper outer arm (not on the breast), or the upper torso (not on the breast). Rotate application sites with each new patch to reduce skin irritation. Do not apply the patch to red, irritated, or broken skin, or to areas where tight clothing may rub the patch.

• Press the patch firmly onto the skin with the palm of your hand for ten seconds.
• Ensure all edges are firmly adhered. Check the patch daily to confirm it remains in place.
• Do not apply lotions, oils, creams, or makeup to the area where the patch is worn, as these may affect adhesion.

If the Patch Comes Loose or Falls Off

• Fewer than 24 hours: reapply the patch or apply a new patch. Keep your usual change day. You remain protected.
• More than 24 hours, or if you are unsure how long: apply a new patch and start a new four-week cycle from this day. Use additional contraception for seven days.

Forgetting to Change the Patch

• Forgot to change at the start of a new cycle (week 1): apply a new patch as soon as you remember, start a new four-week cycle, and use additional contraception for seven days.
• Forgot to change in the middle of the cycle (week 2 or 3): if one to two days late, apply the new patch immediately and keep your usual change day. If more than two days late, apply a new patch, start a new cycle, and use additional contraception for seven days.
• Forgot to remove at the end of week 3: remove the patch as soon as you remember and start your patch-free week from that day.

Patch Specification

• Norelgestromin: 203 micrograms per 24 hours.
• Ethinylestradiol: 33.9 micrograms per 24 hours.
• Each patch is worn continuously for seven days.
• Three patches used per four-week cycle, followed by a one-week patch-free interval.

Supply

Evra patches are prescribed per cycle. Each cycle requires three patches. Your prescriber will determine how many cycles to prescribe at a time based on your clinical review. Pharmacy Planet will dispense according to the quantity specified on your prescription.

Body Weight Consideration

Current SmPC guidance notes that Evra may be less effective in women weighing more than 90 kg. If your body weight is 90 kg or above, your prescriber will take this into account when assessing whether Evra is the most appropriate contraceptive option for you, and may recommend an alternative method.

Like all combined hormonal contraceptives, the Evra patch can cause side effects. Not every woman will experience them. The following is a summary based on the current UK SmPC. Read the Patient Information Leaflet supplied with your patches before starting treatment.

Common side effects:

• Application site reactions: skin irritation, redness, itching, or rash at the site where the patch is worn.
• Breast discomfort or tenderness.
• Headache or migraine.
• Nausea.
• Mood changes, including low mood.
• Decreased libido.
• Irregular spotting or changes to the bleeding pattern.

Serious side effects – seek urgent medical attention if you experience:

• Sudden chest pain, breathlessness, or coughing up blood.
• Pain, swelling, or warmth in one leg, particularly the calf.
• Sudden severe headache, visual disturbance, weakness in the face, arm, or leg, or difficulty speaking.
• Severe abdominal pain, which may indicate a liver problem or ectopic pregnancy.
• Yellowing of the skin or eyes (jaundice).

VTE risk and Evra: all combined hormonal contraceptives carry a small increased risk of venous thromboembolism compared with women not using hormonal contraception. The VTE risk with Evra is considered broadly comparable to that of combined oral contraceptives containing desogestrel or gestodene. Your prescriber will assess your individual risk factors before prescribing.

Important drug interactions: enzyme-inducing medicines can reduce the effectiveness of Evra. These include:

• Rifampicin and rifabutin.
• Certain antiepileptic medicines including phenytoin, carbamazepine, and phenobarbital.
• Some HIV medicines including ritonavir and efavirenz.
• St John's Wort.

Evra is not suitable if you:

• Have or have ever had a blood clot (deep vein thrombosis, pulmonary embolism, or arterial thrombosis).
• Have or have ever had a stroke or heart attack.
• Have migraine with aura.
• Have uncontrolled high blood pressure.
• Have liver disease or liver tumours.
• Have or have ever had breast cancer or another oestrogen-sensitive cancer.
• Are pregnant or think you may be pregnant.
• Are breastfeeding a baby under six weeks old.
• Are a smoker aged 35 or over.
• Have diabetes with vascular complications.
• Weigh more than 90 kg, as the patch may be less effective at this weight.

The patch may be appropriate if you:

• Are a healthy adult woman seeking effective combined hormonal contraception.
• Find taking a daily pill difficult to maintain consistently and would prefer a weekly routine.
• Have no contraindications to oestrogen-containing hormonal contraception.
• Do not have migraine with aura and are not a heavy smoker.
• Are comfortable with a visible patch on the skin and are not sensitive to adhesive products.

Use with caution if you:

• Are a smoker under the age of 35.
• Have a BMI above 30.
• Have a family history of blood clots in a first degree relative under 50 years of age.
• Have a history of depression or mood disorder.
• Have skin conditions such as eczema or psoriasis, which may affect patch adhesion or tolerability.
• Are planning long-haul travel or extended periods of immobility.

Pharmacy Planet is a GPhC registered UK online pharmacy. All prescriptions for Evra are issued following a genuine clinical consultation with a registered prescriber. The process is as follows:

1. Complete a Structured Medical Questionnaire

This covers your health and medical history, current medicines, smoking status, weight, family history of blood clots and cardiovascular disease, and any relevant lifestyle factors.

2. Clinical Review

A registered prescriber reviews your consultation individually and assesses whether Evra is clinically appropriate for your specific circumstances, taking into account the transdermal delivery route and the body weight consideration noted in the SmPC.

3. Prescription or Alternative Advice

A prescription is issued only if the prescriber determines that Evra is appropriate for you. The prescriber may determine that an alternative contraceptive is more suitable or that further assessment is needed.

4. Dispatch and Repeat Supply

If a prescription is issued, your patches are dispensed and dispatched by our pharmacy team. Repeat supply requires a new consultation to confirm that continued use remains clinically appropriate.

• Store below 25°C.
• Do not store in a refrigerator or freezer.
• Keep patches in their original sealed pouches until you are ready to use them.
• Keep this medicine out of the sight and reach of children.
• Do not use patches after the expiry date printed on the packaging.
• Used patches still contain active hormones. Fold each used patch in half with the sticky side inward and dispose of it in household waste. Do not flush patches down the toilet. Return unused patches to your pharmacist for safe disposal.

This reference guide compares the contraceptive preparations available at Pharmacy Planet, grouped by delivery method and formulation type. Every preparation is a Prescription Only Medicine. A registered prescriber will review your individual health profile, contraceptive history, and risk factors before recommending any preparation. This table is a clinical reference, not a recommendation.

The table below compares the vaginal ring and transdermal patch available at Pharmacy Planet. Both deliver combined hormonal contraception without daily tablet-taking, using different delivery routes and dose profiles.

Important: This comparison is for general information only and does not replace medical advice. A prescriber will decide which treatment is suitable for you following an online consultation.

Pharmacy Planet is a registered UK online pharmacy regulated by the General Pharmaceutical Council. We offer a clinically responsible and confidential route to accessing prescription contraception, including the Evra patch. Our process is built around genuine clinical assessment carried out by registered prescribers who review every consultation individually.

If the Evra patch is not appropriate for you, your prescriber will tell you and, where possible, our team will support you in exploring alternative options. We are a healthcare resource. That means the outcome of a consultation is not always a prescription, and we consider that a sign of clinical integrity, not a limitation.

Our GPhC registration and the EU common logo on our website confirm our status as a legitimate, verified UK online pharmacy. You can verify our registration at any time via www.pharmacyregulation.org. Our pharmacy team is available for any questions before, during, or after your consultation.

• Janssen-Cilag Ltd. Evra 203 micrograms/24 hours + 33.9 micrograms/24 hours transdermal patch – Summary of Product Characteristics. Available at: medicines.org.uk/emc. Accessed May 2026.
• Faculty of Sexual and Reproductive Healthcare (FSRH). Combined Hormonal Contraception – Clinical Guidance. Available at: fsrh.org. Accessed May 2026.
• NHS. Contraceptive patch – your contraception guide. Available at: nhs.uk. Accessed May 2026.
• British National Formulary (BNF). Norelgestromin with ethinylestradiol. Available at: bnf.nice.org.uk. Accessed May 2026.
• MHRA. Combined hormonal contraceptives and venous thromboembolism. Available at: gov.uk. Accessed May 2026.