Combipatch Side Effects Exposed: What You Need to Know Before Using It!

Combipatch is a medication containing two female hormones, estradiol and norethindrone, prescribed to alleviate menopause symptoms like hot flashes and vaginal dryness. It is also used for women who do not produce enough estrogen. This article provides a detailed overview of Combipatch, its uses, potential side effects, and important precautions.

How Combipatch Works

Combipatch is a transdermal patch applied to the skin, usually on the lower stomach. It delivers estradiol, an estrogen, and norethindrone, a progestin, directly into the bloodstream. Estrogen helps to reduce menopause symptoms caused by the body making less estrogen. The progestin helps to reduce the risk of cancer of the uterus which can be caused by using estrogen. Women who have had their uterus removed do not need the progestin and therefore should not use this combination medication.

How to Use Combipatch

To use Combipatch effectively, peel off the backing from the patch and apply it to a clean, dry area of the lower stomach. Press the patch firmly in place for about 10 seconds to ensure it stays on. Avoid applying the patch on the breast or on oily, broken, or irritated skin. Also, avoid applying the patch to areas of the skin where it might be easily rubbed off (such as the waistline). When wearing the patch, avoid exposing it to the sun for long periods of time. Use this medication as directed by your doctor. The patch is usually replaced twice a week (every 3 to 4 days).

When replacing your patch, make sure to apply the new patch to a different area. Wait at least 1 week before applying a patch to the same area. Fold the old patch in half with the sticky side together and throw away in the trash away from children and pets. Do not flush the patch down the toilet. If a patch falls off, reapply it to a different area. If the patch does not stick completely, then apply a new patch and wear it for the rest of the scheduled period. Do not wear 2 patches at the same time.

Use this medication regularly to get the most benefit from it. To help you remember, change the patch on the same days each week. It may help to mark your calendar with a reminder. Tell your doctor if your condition does not improve or if it worsens.

Common Side Effects

Like all medications, Combipatch can cause side effects. Some common side effects include:

Skin redness/irritation at the application site
Abdominal pain
Nausea/vomiting
Bloating
Breast tenderness
Headache
Back pain
Weight changes

These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. However, if any of these effects persist or worsen, it is important to inform your doctor or pharmacist promptly.

Serious Side Effects and Precautions

While many people using Combipatch do not experience serious side effects, it is crucial to be aware of potential risks. Combipatch may rarely cause serious problems from blood clots (such as heart attack, stroke, blood clots in the lungs or legs).

Seek immediate medical attention if you experience any of the following serious side effects:

Chest/jaw/left arm pain
Unusual sweating
Sudden/severe headache
Weakness on one side of the body
Confusion
Slurred speech
Sudden vision changes (such as partial/complete blindness)
Pain/redness/swelling of legs
Tingling/weakness/numbness in the arms/legs
Trouble breathing
Coughing up blood
Sudden dizziness/fainting

A very serious allergic reaction to this product is rare. However, get medical help right away if you notice any symptoms of a serious allergic reaction, including: rash, itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), severe dizziness, trouble breathing.

Before using Combipatch, inform your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to estradiol or norethindrone, or if you have any other allergies. This product may contain inactive ingredients, which can cause allergic reactions or other problems.

Do not smoke or use tobacco while using Combipatch, as estrogens combined with smoking further increases your risk of stroke, blood clots, high blood pressure, and heart attack, especially in women older than 35.

Tell your doctor if you just had or will be having surgery, or if you will be confined to a chair or bed for a long time (such as a long plane flight). These conditions increase your risk of getting blood clots, especially if you are using an estrogen product.

This medication may cause blotchy, dark areas on your face and skin (melasma). Sunlight may worsen this effect. Limit your time in the sun. Avoid tanning booths and sunlamps.

If you are nearsighted or wear contact lenses, you may develop vision problems or trouble wearing your contact lenses. If you are going to have an MRI test, tell testing personnel that you are using this patch. Some patches may contain metals that can cause serious burns during an MRI.

Read also: Is Your Diet Causing Hair Loss?

This medication should not be used during pregnancy. This medication passes into breast milk.

Drug Interactions

Drug interactions may change how your medications work or increase your risk for serious side effects. This document does not contain all possible drug interactions. Keep a list of all the products you use (including prescription/nonprescription drugs and herbal products) and share it with your doctor and pharmacist.

This medication may interfere with certain lab tests (such as metyrapone test), possibly causing false test results.

Combipatch and Weight Changes

Weight changes, including both weight gain and weight loss, are listed as potential side effects of Combipatch. However, these effects can vary significantly from person to person. Some women may experience weight gain due to fluid retention or hormonal changes affecting metabolism, while others may find that their weight remains stable or even decreases.

It's essential to monitor your weight and discuss any significant changes with your doctor. They can help determine if the weight changes are related to Combipatch or other factors, such as diet, exercise, or underlying medical conditions.

Important Considerations

Regular Check-ups: It is very important that your doctor check your progress at regular visits to make sure this medicine is working properly and does not cause unwanted effects. These visits may be every 3 to 6 months. Blood or urine tests, pelvic exam, breast exam, and mammogram (breast x-ray) may be needed to check for unwanted effects, unless your doctor tells you otherwise. Be sure to keep all appointments.
Cardiovascular Risks: Using this medicine may increase your risk for having blood clots, strokes, or heart attacks. This risk may continue even after you stop using the medicine. Your risk for these serious problems is even greater if you have high blood pressure, high cholesterol in your blood, diabetes, or if you are overweight or smoke cigarettes.
Cancer Risks: Using this medicine for a long period of time may increase your risk of endometrial cancer, breast cancer, or uterine cancer. Talk with your doctor about this risk. Do not use this medicine if you have had your uterus (womb) removed (hysterectomy). Check with your doctor immediately if you experience abnormal vaginal bleeding.
Dementia Risk: Using this medicine may increase your risk of dementia, especially in women 65 years of age and older.
Vision Changes: Check with your doctor immediately if severe headache or sudden loss of vision or any other change in vision occurs while you are using this medicine. Your doctor may want you to have your eyes checked by an ophthalmologist (eye doctor).
Surgery: Tell your doctor or dentist who treats you knows that you are using this medicine before any kind of surgery (eg, surgery that will require inactivity for a long time) or emergency treatment. Your doctor will decide whether you should continue using this medicine.
Other Medications: Do not take other medicines unless they have been discussed with your doctor. This includes prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicines and herbal (eg, St. John's wort) or vitamin supplements.

Overdose

This medication patch may be harmful if chewed or swallowed. If someone has overdosed, remove the patch if possible. For serious symptoms such as passing out or trouble breathing, call 911. Otherwise, call a poison control center right away.

Lifestyle Changes

Preventing or controlling high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and diabetes can help to reduce your chances of heart disease and stroke. Lifestyle changes that can help to control or prevent these diseases include reducing stress, eating a low fat/salt diet, losing weight if overweight, exercising regularly, and stopping smoking. Keep your mind active with mental exercises (such as reading, solving crossword puzzles) to help prevent dementia.

Storage

Store in the refrigerator. Do not open the sealed foil pouch until you are ready to use the patch. Do not flush medications down the toilet or pour them into a drain unless instructed to do so.

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