Risks and Benefits of CombiPatch

It’s important to discuss your individual risks and benefits with your doctor. So that together, you can choose the treatment that’s right for you.

Risks of Using CombiPatch

As with most medications, there are risks.

Hormone Therapy Risks

Estrogens increase the chances of getting cancer of the uterus (womb). Report any unusual vaginal bleeding right away while you are taking estrogens. Vaginal bleeding after menopause may be a warning sign of cancer of the uterus (womb).

Do not use estrogens with or without progestins to prevent heart disease, heart attacks or strokes or dementia (decline in memory and thinking skills). Using estrogens with progestins may increase your chances of getting heart attacks, strokes, breast cancer, blood clots, and may increase your risk of dementia.

CombiPatch should not be used if you:
  • Have unusual vaginal bleeding

  • Currently have or have had certain cancers, including cancer of the breast or uterus

  • Had a stroke or heart attack in the recent past (for example, in the past year)

  • Currently have or have had blood clots

  • Currently have or have had liver problems

  • May be pregnant
The most common side effects that may occur with CombiPatch are headache, breast tenderness and vaginal bleeding.

Benefits of Using CombiPatch

CombiPatch is used after menopause to treat hot flashes, and vaginal dryness, itching and burning. If you use CombiPatch only to treat dryness, itching and during in or around the vagina, talk with your health are professional about whether a topical vaginal product would be better for you.

Additional Features of CombiPatch

Source of Hormones

For women who are interested in the source of the hormones in their therapy, the estrogen and progestin in CombiPatch (estradiol and norethindrone acetate) are chemically synthesized from plant sources. This does not mean that CombiPatch is safer or more effective than other hormone therapies.

Effective Doses

Effective blood levels are achieved with smaller transdermal doses as compared to pills. While the levels of estrogen entering the body from CombiPatch appear to be low, the levels are appropriate for treating moderate to severe menopausal symptoms1 and are similar to levels achieved in a phase of your menstrual cycle. That’s true in part because the hormones in CombiPatch pass directly through the skin and into your bloodstream, avoiding the digestive tract and liver metabolism. This does not mean that CombiPatch is safer or more effective than pill therapy.

DOT Matrix™ Technology

CombiPatch uses the patented DOT Matrix technology. "DOT" stands for "Delivery Optimized Thermodynamics." These patches are specifically designed for convenience.

Ultra Convenience

CombiPatch is applied to your lower abdomen just twice a week. In clinical trials, the patches stayed on well and had a low occurrence of skin irritation. The patch is designed to stay on during various activities including swimming, showering and bathing. So you can enjoy an active lifestyle while wearing the patch.

It is important to evaluate both the risks and benefits of any treatment. You can talk to your doctor about which hormone therapy may be best for you.

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WHAT IS THE MOST IMPORTANT INFORMATION I SHOULD KNOW ABOUT COMBIPATCH (A COMBINATION OF ESTROGEN AND PROGESTIN HORMONES)?

Do not use estrogens and progestins to prevent heart disease, heart attacks, strokes or dementia (decline in memory and thinking skills). Using estrogens with progestins may increase your chances of getting heart attacks, strokes, breast cancer, and blood clots, and may increase your risk of dementia.

Do not use CombiPatch if you have had your uterus removed (hysterectomy). CombiPatch should not be used if you have unusual vaginal bleeding; currently have or have had certain cancers, including cancer of the breast or uterus; had a stroke or heart attack in the recent past (for example, in the past year); currently have or have had blood clots; currently have or have had liver problems; or think you may be, or know that you are, pregnant.

The most common side effects that may occur with CombiPatch are breast pain, vaginal bleeding, and headache.

1CombiPatch is used after menopause to: reduce moderate to severe hot flashes; treat moderate to severe dryness, itching and burning in or around the vagina; and treat certain conditions in which a young woman’s ovaries do not produce enough estrogens naturally. If you use CombiPatch only to treat your dryness, itching and burning in or around the vagina, talk with your health care professional about whether a topical vaginal product would be better for you.

You and your health care professional should talk regularly about whether you still need treatment with CombiPatch and whether you are taking the lowest dose that works for you.

DOT Matrix™ is a trademark of Noven Pharmaceuticals, Inc.


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Available by prescription only.

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