Evra Use In Pregnancy & Lactation

Pregnancy: EVRA is contraindicated for use in pregnancy.
Epidemiological studies indicate no increased risk of birth defects in children born to women who used hormonal contraceptives prior to pregnancy. The majority of recent studies also do not indicate a teratogenic effect, particularly insofar as cardiac anomalies and limb reduction defects are concerned, when hormonal contraceptives are used inadvertently during early pregnancy.
Breast feeding: A small amount of the contraceptive steroids and/or their metabolites may be excreted with the milk. Small amounts of combination hormonal contraceptive steroids have been identified in the milk of nursing mothers and a few adverse effects on the child have been reported, including jaundice and breast enlargement. In addition, combination hormonal contraceptives given in the postpartum period may interfere with lactation by decreasing the quantity and quality of breast milk. If possible, the nursing mother should be advised not to use EVRA or other combination hormonal contraceptives but to use other forms of contraception until the child is fully weaned.