You can wear ORTHO EVRA^® on one of 4 areas of the body: upper outer arm, upper torso (front and back, excluding the breasts), abdomen or buttock. The birth control patch should not be worn on any other areas of the body.

To ensure the effectiveness of ORTHO EVRA^®, do not place the birth control patch on areas of your skin where makeup, lotions, creams, powders or other products are or will be applied. In addition, do not place ORTHO EVRA^® on skin that is red, irritated or cut.

You may choose a "First Day Start" or a "Sunday Start" as defined below:

First Day Start: Apply your first patch during the first 24 hours of your period, which will be considered your "Patch Change Day." If the Patch is not applied within the first 24 hours of your period, you must use backup contraception, such as a condom, spermicide or a diaphragm, for the first week of patch use.

Sunday Start: Apply your first patch on the first Sunday after your menstrual period starts - this will be your "Patch Change Day." You must use backup contraception, such as a condom, spermicide or a diaphragm, for the first week of your first cycle. If your period starts on a Sunday, you should start the Patch the same day, and non-hormonal backup contraception is not needed.

Apply a new patch on the same day of the week for 3 consecutive weeks, for a total of 21 days. You should not apply a patch during the fourth "patch-free" week, which is when your menstrual period should start.

After week 4 ends, begin a new four-week cycle by applying a new birth control patch on your normal "Patch Change Day"—no matter when your period begins or ends.

Here are a few things to remember when using the Patch:

• Every new patch should be applied on the same day of each week, called the "Patch Change Day." For example, if you apply your first patch on a Monday, all of your patches should be applied on a Monday.
• The birth control patch may be worn on the upper outer arm, upper torso (front and back, excluding the breasts), abdomen, or buttock. Learn where to put the Patch.
• Wear only one birth control patch at a time.
• To avoid irritation, do not apply the new patch to the same exact place on your skin 2 weeks in a row.
• Under no circumstances should there be more than a 7–day, patch-free interval between patch cycles.

Follow these simple steps to put on the Patch:

1. Open the foil pouch by tearing it along the top edge and one side edge. Peel the foil pouch apart and open it flat.
2. The Patch is covered by a layer of clear plastic. Remove the Patch and the plastic together from the foil pouch.
3. Using your fingernail, lift one corner of the Patch and peel it and the plastic off the foil liner. Sometimes patches can stick to the inside of the pouch—be careful not to accidentally remove the clear liner as you remove the Patch.
4. Peel away half of the clear plastic. (Avoid touching the sticky surface of the Patch with your fingers.)
5. Apply the sticky side of the Patch to clean and dry skin, then remove the other half of the clear plastic.
6. Press firmly on the Patch with the palm of your hand for 10 seconds, making sure the edges stick well. Run your fingers around the edge of the Patch to make sure it is sticking properly.
7. Check your patch every day to make sure all edges are sticking.
8. Do not cut, damage or alter the ORTHO EVRA^® patch in any way.

If you wish to move your "Patch Change Day" to a different day of the week:

• Finish your current cycle, removing your third ORTHO EVRA^® patch on the correct day.
• During week 4, the "patch-free" week, you may choose a new "Patch Change Day" by applying a new patch on the day you prefer. Remember that you should never have the birth control patch off for more than 7 days in a row.
• You now have a new Day 1 and a new "Patch Change Day."

Yes. The new patch can be placed on one of the 4 recommended areas: upper outer arm, upper torso (front and back, excluding the breasts), abdomen or buttock. Learn more about where to put your birth control patch.

It is not recommended that you move your birth control patch to a new location in the middle of the week. The Patch may not stick as well if you attempt to change its location.

If a small ring of adhesive is left on your skin when you remove the Patch on your "Patch Change Day," remove it by rubbing a small amount of baby oil on the area.

It is not recommended that you clean the edges of the Patch prior to removal on the "Patch Change Day." Lifting the edges of the Patch may cause it to become loose or fall off. Using creams, oils or powders near the Patch also may cause it to become loose.

Do not try to reapply a birth control patch if it is no longer sticky; if it has become stuck to itself or another surface; if it has other material stuck to it; or if it has become loose or has fallen off before.

For less than 24 hours: Try to reapply your patch or apply a new patch immediately. No backup contraception is needed and your "Patch Change Day" will remain the same.

For more than 24 hours, or if you are not sure how long it has been off: Start a new 4–week cycle immediately by applying a new patch. You now have a new Day 1 and a new "Patch Change Day." You must use backup contraception, such as a condom, spermicide or a diaphragm, for the first week of your new cycle because you may become pregnant during this time.

Reapply the Patch by following these instructions:

• Press down firmly on the Patch with the palm of your hand for 10 seconds, making sure that the edges stick well. Then run your fingers around the edge of the Patch. Do not use tapes or wraps to keep the birth control patch in place.
• If the birth control patch does not stick well, remove it and then apply a replacement birth control patch. This patch should be replaced on the original "Patch Change Day." Single replacement patches are available through your pharmacist.

Yes. The Patch adheres well to the skin, allowing you to perform your daily activities such as bathing, showering, swimming and exercising without interruption. If the sticky surface of the Patch becomes wet, discard it and apply a new patch.

When removing your used patch, simply lift one corner and quickly peel it back. If a small ring of adhesive is left on your skin, remove it by rubbing a small amount of baby oil on the area.

The used patch still contains some active hormone. Before safely disposing of it in the trash, fold the used patch in half so it sticks to itself. Used patches should not be flushed down the toilet.

Simply follow these instructions to switch to ORTHO EVRA^® from a birth control pill.

• Complete your cycle with your current birth control pill.
• If you do not get your period within 5 days of taking the last active pill, check with your doctor or healthcare professional to make sure that you are not pregnant.
• Apply the ORTHO EVRA^® birth control patch within the first 24 hours of your period.
• If you choose to apply your patch on the Sunday after the first day of your period ("Sunday Start"), you must use backup contraception, such as a condom, spermicide or a diaphragm, for the first week of your first cycle.

No. Each patch delivers the same amount of medication each week. Therefore, the patches can be used in any order. However, a new birth control patch must be applied on the same day of the week for 3 consecutive weeks. The fourth week is "patch free" — which is similar to the fourth week of birth control pill use, during which inactive pills or no pills are taken.

If you want to become pregnant, the first thing you should do is call your doctor or healthcare professional about steps you should take to ensure a healthy pregnancy. He or she can help you decide when to stop taking the ORTHO EVRA^® birth control patch.