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.

 

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)
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Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD;