Precautions and Warnings With the Birth Control Patch

You should talk to your healthcare provider about precautions and warnings with the birth control patch before using this form of contraceptive. For instance, make sure your healthcare provider knows if you have any medical conditions, such as diabetes, high blood pressure, or cancer. You should not use the birth control patch if you have heart disease, a blood clotting disorder, or liver tumors.

Birth Control Patch Information

The Birth Control Patch: What Should I Tell My Healthcare Provider?

You should talk with your healthcare provider prior to using the birth control patch (norelgestromin/ethinyl estradiol) if you have:

Diabetes
Cancer (or if you have had cancer in the past)
Unexplained vaginal bleeding
Had a blood clot or a clotting disorder
Chest pain
Had a heart attack or stroke
Very high blood pressure (hypertension)
Yellowing of the whites of the eyes or skin during a prior pregnancy or oral contraceptive use
Gallbladder disease
High cholesterol
Depression
Liver disease, such as liver failure, cirrhosis, hepatitis, or liver tumors
Problems with your heart valves
Kidney disease, such as kidney failure (renal failure).

Also, let your healthcare provider know if you:

Have an upcoming surgery
Weigh 198 pounds or more
Smoke cigarettes
Are pregnant or thinking of becoming pregnant
Are breastfeeding.

Make sure to tell your healthcare provider about any other medicines you are taking, including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.

(Precautions and Warnings With the Birth Control Patch Continued: Page 2)