CombiPatch (Estradiol/Norethindrone)

Brand name: CombiPatch, Estalis Patch
Generic name: Estradiol/Norethindrone
Used: To help reduce symptoms of menopause
Availability: Brand CombiPatch (Novartis), 0.05 mg/0.14 mg. 0.05 mg/0.25 mg

How Estradiol/Norethindrone Works

CombiPatch is a prescription medicine patch (Transdermal System) that contains 2 kinds of hormones, estrogen and progestin. CombiPatch is used after menopause to reduce moderate to severe hot flashes. Estrogens are hormones made by a woman’s ovaries. The drop in body estrogen levels when a woman is between 45 and 55 years old causes the “change of life” or menopause (the end of monthly menstrual periods). When estrogen levels begin dropping, some women get very uncomfortable symptoms, such as feelings of warmth in the face, neck, and chest or sudden strong feelings of heat and sweating (hot flashes). Norethindrone is a form of progesterone, a female hormone important for regulating ovulation and menstruation and to reduce the risk of cancer of the uterus which can be caused by using estrogen. This medicine is also used to treat moderate to severe menopausal changes in and around your vagina and to treat certain conditions in women before menopause if their ovaries do not make enough estrogens naturally. You and your healthcare provider should talk regularly about whether you still need treatment with CombiPatch. Use CombiPatch exactly as your healthcare provider tells you to use it. CombiPatch is for skin use only.

Estradiol/Norethindrone Possible side effects

Contact your doctor or pharmacist if you experience side effects and they are severe and bothersome. Most of the side effect are manageable and may go away on their own.
• Breast pain;
• Changes in vision or speech;
• Fluid retention;
• Hair loss;
• Headache;
• Irregular vaginal bleeding or spotting;
• Nausea and vomiting;
• Redness or irritation at patch placement site new breast lumps;
• Severe pains in your chest or legs with or without shortness of breath, weakness and fatigue;
• Stomach or abdominal cramps, bloating;
• Sudden new severe headaches;
• Unusual vaginal bleeding;
• Vaginal yeast infection

Estradiol/Norethindrone Guidelines

Do not use CombiPatch if you have had your uterus (womb) removed (hysterectomy). CombiPatch contains a progestin to decrease the chance of getting cancer of the uterus. If you do not have a uterus, you do not need a progestin and you should not use CombiPatch. Do not start using CombiPatch if you have unusual vaginal bleeding. Vaginal bleeding after menopause may be a warning sign of cancer of the uterus. Do not use CombiPatch if you currently have or have had certain cancers; had a stroke or heart attack; have or have had blood clots; have or have had liver problems; have been diagnosed with a bleeding disorder; are allergic to CombiPatch or any of its ingredients; think you may be pregnant. CombiPatch is not for pregnant women. If you are pregnant, talk to your healthcare provider. Before you use CombiPatch, tell your healthcare provider if you have any unusual vaginal bleeding; have any other medical conditions especially if you have certain conditions such as asthma (wheezing); epilepsy (seizures); diabetes; migraine; endometriosis; lupus; angioedema (swelling of face and tongue); or problems with your heart, liver, thyroid, kidneys; or have high calcium levels in your blood; are going to have surgery or will be on bed rest; are breastfeeding. The hormones in CombiPatch can pass into your breast milk. Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take, including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Some medicines may affect how CombiPatch works. CombiPatch may also affect how other medicines work. Keep a list of your medicines and show it to your healthcare provider and pharmacist when you get new medicine. To lower your chances of getting a serious side effect with CombiPatch, talk with your healthcare provider regularly about whether you should continue using CombiPatch; see your healthcare provider right away if you get vaginal bleeding while using CombiPatch; if you have high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, are overweight, or if you use tobacco, you may have higher chances for getting heart disease; have a pelvic exam, breast exam and mammogram (breast X-ray) every year unless your healthcare provider tells you something else. If members of your family have had breast cancer or if you have ever had breast lumps or an abnormal mammogram, you may need to have breast exams more often.