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Safety information- Ortho Evra® and desogestrel-containing Oral Contraceptives

An FDA analysis of Ortho Evra and desogestrel-containing contraceptives (such as Cylessa®, Desogen®, OrthoCept®, and Mircette®) concluded that:

• Women who use Ortho Evra may be exposed to approximately 60% more total estrogen than women taking an oral contraceptive with 35 mcg of estrogen.

• Exposure to increased estrogens or desogestrel-type products may put some women at increased risk for blood clots.

When choosing a contraceptive with a patient, please consider all the options to balance the exposure to estrogen and type of progestin in these products versus other products. Additionally, keep in mind there are also health risks in pregnancy.

For more in-depth information on this topic and a list of preferred/formulary contraceptive options, please visit these websites:

List of Preferred/Formulary Contraceptives at
www.regencerx.com/learn/physicianResearch/covered/index.html

FDA Questions & Answers: Ortho Evra at
www.fda.gov/cder/drug/infopage/orthoevra/qa.htm

MedWatch warning for Desogen, July 1996 at
www.fda.gov/medwatch/SAFETY/LABEL/jul96.htm