How CombiPatch Works

The small, round CombiPatch features three adjoining layers that, when applied to the abdomen of the patient appropriately, release the indicated amount of each hormone. The patch's three layers include a backing material, an adhesive matrix and a release liner. The adhesive matrix contains the active ingredients (estradiol and norethindrone acetate) and the excipients (oleic acid, dipropylene glycol and povidone) in a mixture of acrylic and silicone adhesives. The release liner protects the adhesive matrix prior to use and is removed by the patient just before application.

Hormone Delivery

The product is occlusive in nature, and release of the active ingredients occurs once the patch is in contact with the patient’s skin. Despite being so small, CombiPatch provides controlled, sustained release of hormones over 3 ½ days.

Therapeutic Doses

The levels of hormones entering the body from CombiPatch are similar to levels achieved in a phase of your patient’s menstrual cycle. The hormones in CombiPatch pass directly through the skin and into circulation.

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.

CombiPatch Prescribing Information PDF

Estrogens and progestins should not be used for the prevention of cardiovascular disease or dementia.

The Women’s Health Initiative (WHI) study reported increased risks of myocardial infarction, stroke, invasive breast cancer, pulmonary emboli, and deep vein thrombosis in postmenopausal women (50 to 79 years of age) during 5 years of treatment with oral conjugated estrogens (CE 0.625 mg) combined with medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA 2.5 mg) relative to placebo.

The Women’s Health Initiative Memory Study (WHIMS), a substudy of WHI, reported increased risk of developing probable dementia in postmenopausal women 65 years of age or older during 4 years of treatment with oral conjugated estrogens plus MPA relative to placebo. It is unknown whether this finding applies to younger postmenopausal women.

Other doses of oral conjugated estrogens with MPA, and other combinations and dosage forms of estrogens and progestins were not studied in the WHI clinical trials and, in the absence of comparable data, these risks should be assumed to be similar. Because of these risks, estrogens with progestins should be prescribed at the lowest effective doses and for the shortest duration consistent with treatment goals and risks for the individual woman.

Estrogens and estrogens/progestins combined should not be used in women with undiagnosed abnormal genital bleeding; known, suspected, or history of breast cancer; known or suspected estrogen-dependent neoplasia; active deep vein thrombosis, pulmonary embolism, or history of these conditions; active or recent arterial thromboembolic disease; liver dysfunction or disease; or known or suspected pregnancy.

In clinical trials with CombiPatch, the most common side effects were breast pain, dysmenorrhea, and headache.

CombiPatch is indicated for women with an intact uterus for the treatment of moderate to severe vasomotor symptoms associated with menopause, and moderate to severe symptoms of vulvar and vaginal atrophy associated with menopause. When prescribing solely for the treatment of symptoms of vulvar and vaginal atrophy, topical vaginal products should be considered.



The information contained within this web site is appropriate for U.S. healthcare professionals only.

Available by prescription only.

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