Transdermal hormonal contraception: benefits and risks.
Transdermal drug delivery systems have been available in the United States for >20 years. Since the introduction of the first transdermal patch (scopolamine) for the treatment of motion sickness, >35 transdermal patch products have been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration for a variety of indications that include hormone replacement therapy, nicotine replacement therapy, chronic pain (fentanyl), angina (nitroglycerin), hypertension (clonidine), and more recently, overactive bladder (oxybutynin), and contraception (ethinyl estradiol/norelgestromin). Clinical data demonstrated the efficacy and safety of the contraceptive patch; however, concerns regarding estrogen levels and reports of venous thromboembolism led to the development of 2 epidemiologic studies and, subsequently, revised product labeling. Despite this, the contraceptive patch may be an appropriate option for some patients.
Burkman
Ronald T
RT
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Baystate Medical Center, Springfield, MA 01199, USA. rtb@bhs.org
D000268:Adhesiveness; D000279:Administration, Cutaneous; D003271:Contraceptive Agents, Female / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D003276:Contraceptives, Oral / Q000008:administration & dosage; D004338:Drug Combinations; D004997:Ethinyl Estradiol / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D009644:Norgestrel / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D010349:Patient Compliance; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D020246:Venous Thrombosis / Q000139:chemically induced
D003271:Contraceptive Agents, Female; D003276:Contraceptives, Oral; D004338:Drug Combinations; C511292:Ortho Evra; D009644:Norgestrel; D004997:Ethinyl Estradiol