Evorel Conti patches

The name of your medicine is Evorel Conti. It belongs to a group of medicines called hormone replacement therapy (HRT). Evorel Conti contains two medicines:

• an oestrogen (estradiol)
• a progestogen (norethisterone)

They are both hormones.

The hormones are spread evenly in each patch. They pass slowly into your body through the skin.

Evorel Conti is used to treat the symptoms of menopause. This medicine is also prescribed to reduce the risk of osteoporosis after menopause. Evorel Conti is suitable for women who have not had a period (menstrual bleed) for at least 18 months.

Using the patches

The patches need to be changed twice a week. Start a new pack of Evorel Conti as soon as you finish one. Do not leave a break between packs.

Changing your patches

• You must change the patches twice a week to give your body a steady supply of hormones. There is enough hormone in each patch to last for several days.
• Change your patch on the same two days every week. This will mean that one patch is on for three days and the next patch for four days.

Where to apply the patch

Stick the patch onto a hairless area of skin below the waist. Most women prefer to wear the patch on the thigh or bottom. Follow the instructions in the package leaflet.

Do not use Evorel Conti if:

• You are allergic to anything in the patches.
• You have (or have ever had), or think you may have, breast cancer.
• You have ever had a cancer that washing made worse by oestrogens (such as endometrial cancer).
• You have a thickening of the lining of the womb which has not been treated.
• You have ever had blood clots (thrombosis) or a blood clot that has travelled to your lung (pulmonary embolism).
• You have problems with your blood which increases the likelihood of developing a blood clot (thrombosis).
• You have ever had blocked arteries (arterial thrombo-embolic disease) that gave you angina or a heart attack resulted in a stroke.
• You have a blood problem called ‘porphyria’.

Do not use this medicine if any of the above applies to you.

Take special care with Evorel Conti

Check with your doctor before using Evorel Conti if:

• You have ever had vaginal bleeding which you could not explain.
• The lining of your womb has ever got thicker (endometrial hyperplasia).
• You have ever had liver problems.

You may still be able to use Evorel Conti, but you should discuss this with your doctor first.

Tell your doctor if you have ever had any of the following. You may need these checks more often.

• A problem caused by growth of the womb lining:
• Inside the womb (fibroids).
• Outside the womb (endometriosis).
• Increased risk of blood clots (see the package leaflet for more information).
• A family history of increased risk of cancers related to oestrogens (see the package leaflet for more information).
• High blood pressure (hypertension). Your doctor may tell you to stop using Evorel Conti if your blood pressure goes up.
• Diabetes.
• Gallstones.
• Migraine or severe headaches.
• Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). This is an allergic condition that causes joint pain, skin rashes and fever.
• Epilepsy.
• Asthma.
• Bone formation in the ear (otosclerosis).
• Liver, heart or kidney problems.
• High levels of triglycerides in your blood as you may have a higher risk of pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas, which causes severe pain in the abdomen and back).
• Any breast problems.

Tell your doctor if these illnesses return or get worse while you are using Evorel Conti.

Note: As well as benefits, HRT has some risks. These risks and precautions are discussed in detail in the package leaflet. Always consult a doctor if you are unsure if Evorel Conti is suitable for you.

Other medicines and Evorel Conti

Please tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking or have recently taken any

other medicines. This includes medicines that you buy without a prescription (over-the-counter medicines) or herbal medicines.

In particular, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking any of the following:

• Medicines for epilepsy such as phenobarbital, phenytoin or carbamazepine.
• Medicines for infections such as rifampicin, rifabutin, nevirapine or efavirenz.
• Bosentan, for high blood pressure in the blood vessels of the lungs.
• St. John’s Wort, for depression.

Taking these medicines with Evorel Conti can stop them from working as well. Because of this you may get some bleeding, like a period, when you are not expecting it.

Note:

• Tell your doctor if you are going to have surgery. You may need to stop taking HRT about four to six weeks before the operation to reduce the risk of a blood clot.
• Evorel Conti is not a contraceptive. Use non-hormonal contraceptive methods (such as a condom, diaphragm or coil) until your periods have completely stopped.

Evorel Conti patches are only available on prescription. This medicine cannot be supplied by the pharmacy without a prescription. A doctor can write a prescription for Evorel Conti after an online consultation.

Would you like to know what Evorel Conti costs? You can find the price of Evorel Conti patches on our order page. The price includes the cost of the online consultation and a service fee.

Like all medicines, Evorel Conti can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them.

Remove the patch and get emergency medical help immediately if you notice rare but serious side effects (see the package leaflet for the symptoms).

Other side effects associated with Evorel Conti

Tell your doctor if you notice any of the following side effects while using Evorel Conti:

Very common (affects more than 1 in 10 people):

• Irritated, itchy, red skin and rash where the patch is applied.

Common (affects less than 1 in 10 people):

• Allergic reactions (hypersensitivity).
• Being unable to sleep.
• Feeling depressed, nervous or anxious.
• Headache.
• Being aware of your heartbeat (palpitations).
• Varicose veins.
• Flushing, skin reddening.
• Breast pain.
• Numb or tingling hands or feet.
• Feeling sick (nausea).
• Diarrhoea.
• Stomach ache.
• Pain including pain in the back or joints.
• Painful periods.
• Discharge from the vagina.
• Irregular, heavy or prolonged bleeding from the vagina, including after sex.
• Water retention or build-up of fluid under the skin (oedema).
• Feeling tired.
• Weight gain.

This list is not exhaustive. For a complete list of side effects, see the package leaflet. If any of the side effects gets serious, or if you notice any other side effects not listed in this leaflet, please tell your doctor or pharmacist.

The active substances in Evorel Conti are estradiol hemihydrate and norethisterone acetate.

Each Evorel Conti patch contains 3.2 mg of estradiol hemihydrate and 11.2 mg of norethisterone acetate. Each Evorel Conti patch delivers 50 micrograms of estradiol and 170 micrograms of norethisterone acetate a day.

The other ingredients are: Duro-Tak 387-2287 (this makes the patches sticky), guar gum and Hostaphan MN19 (backing film).