{blacktriangledown}Evra - a patch on oral contraception?

doi:10.1136/dtb.2003.411289

Drug and Therapeutics Bulletin 2003;41:89-91; doi:10.1136/dtb.2003.411289

${blacktriangledown}$ Evra - a patch on oral contraception?

Relevant BNF section: 7.3.1

${blacktriangledown}$ Evra (Janssen-Cilag) is the first contraceptive to be availableas a skin patch. In promotional material aimed at healthcareprofessionals, the company claims that Evra offers a "once-weeklymethod of contraception" with "more than 99% effectiveness andexcellent compliance". The company's website for women usingEvra carries the slogan "Evra The Right Contraceptive Choice"and claims that the patch is "just as effective as the contraceptivepill".¹ Each patch is intended to be worn for 7 days, in contrastto combined oral contraceptives (COCs), which need to be takendaily. Here we assess whether Evra offers real advantages overCOCs and consider its place as a contraceptive option.