Evorel Patches

If you buy the Evorel patch online, or from your local GP, and commence treatment it will act by replacing the oestrogen that is normally released by the ovaries. An increase in oestrogen will reduce the symptoms of menopause.

For women who still have not had a hysterectomy it is essential to add a progesterone to the oestrogen to help shed the lining of the womb as oestrogen causes it to build up and thicken causing potential problems such as endometrial cancer.

Evorel is not a contraceptive patch.

Before you buy Evorel Patches online, or from your local GP, and commence treatment it is important to inform your doctor or pharmacist of your medical history and any medication you are currently taking. Always follow the advice of your healthcare professional when starting a new medication.

Do not use the Evorel patch if;

• You are allergic to any of the patch ingredients (seen in the patient information leaflet)
• You have (or have ever had) or think you may have breast cancer
• You have (or are suspected of having) or ever had a cancer that is made worse by oestrogens (such as endometrial cancer)
• You have a thickening of the lining of the womb
• You have vaginal bleeding you cannot explain
• You have ever had blood clots in a vein or a blood clot that has
  travelled to your lung
• You have problems with your blood which increases the likelihood of
  developing a blood clot
• You have (or have ever had) a liver disease
• You have ever had blocked arteries that gave you angina or a heart attack or resulted in a stroke
• You have a blood problem called porphyria

This list is not exhaustive, please read the Evorel Patch patient information leaflet before you commence treatment.

You can commence treatment immediately if your menstrual cycles are not regular and you are not pregnant. You can also start using the treatment immediately if you have never used HRT before and no longer menstruate.

Use your Evorel patch 5 days within bleeding if you are not currently using HRT and are still having regular periods.

If you are changing from another treatment of HRT that gives you a withdrawal bleed put your Evorel patch on at the end of your treatment cycle or one week after completing use of your existing HRT product.

It is always recommended to talk to a doctor to pharmacist before you change HRT treatment so you are aware of how to do so safely.

Always follow the advice of your doctor or pharmacist when you are starting a new treatment. Please read the Evorel patch patient information leaflet for more information on how to use the Evorel patch.

You can buy the Evorel patch in varied strengths; 25mg ,50mg ,75mg and 100mg. Your doctor will asses which strength is appropriate for you and will often recommend the lowest dose to reduce side effects. Please talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you believe the Evorel patch you are using is too strong or weak.

Your patch needs to be changed twice a week and you must start a new pack of patches immediately after finishing one. Change your patch on the same two days each week, this will mean one patch is on for three days and the next four. Do not apply the patch on the same area of skin twice in a row.

For further support on deciding which days to change your patch please read the Evorel Patch patient information leaflet.

Always follow the instruction of your doctor or pharmacist when using Evorel Patches or any other medication. Please read the Evorel Patch patient information leaflet to ensure you understand how to use the medication.

If you buy Evorel Patches online or from your local GP and the protective pouch is already open do not use the patch.

• Tear along two edges of the pouch and remove the patch.
• With the protective backing facing you peel off the backing half way to expose the sticky side of the patch. Do not touch the sticky side as this could effect how well the patch adheres.
• Apply the open half of the patch to a hairless part of your skin below the waist. (thigh or bottom)
• Remove the other half of the backing and gently press down the rest of the patch.
• Press the patch with your palm to ensure it has adhered to your skin properly.

Always stick the patch to a hairless area of your body below the waist, a common area of placement is the thigh or bottom. Ensure the area for application is clean, dry and cool.

Do not apply the patch to your breasts or on top of cuts/irritated skin. Do not use creams or talc before using the patch as this will effects adhesion.

Always wear the patch under loose fitted clothing, do not wear it under elasticated or tight waistbands.

To remove the Evorel patch from your skin peel an edge away smoothly. Ensure you fold the patch in half so it sticks to itself and dispose of in general waste.

Do not flush used patches down the toilet.

It is unlikely but if an Evorel Patch falls off replace it immediately with a new patch. Keep your patch change days the same. Ensure you skin is clean, dry and cool before you apply a new patch. Do not apply a new patch immediately after a bath or shower.

Change it as soon as you remember and then keep to your original patch
change days. You may get some bleeding and spotting like a period during
this time.

It is unlikely that you will have too much of the hormones in Evorel. The most
common symptoms of having too much oestrogen in your body are:

• Tender or painful breasts
• Feeling sick (nausea) or being sick
• Unexpected vaginal bleeding
• Stomach pain or bloating

Removing the patch can reverse the effects of too much oestrogen. Talk to
your doctor or pharmacist before using any more patches. Your doctor may
decide to change the size of the patch.

• You can have a bath or shower as normal. Do not scrub too hard as this can loosen the edges of the patch
• You can go swimming. The patch will not be affected
• You can exercise and play sports. However, do not wear the patch under tight clothing or waist bands
• You can sunbathe. However, keep the patch covered, out of direct sunlight

If you have any further questions on the use of this product, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

When you buy the Evorel patch, like with many medications, you may experience side effects. For a full list of side effects please read the Evorel Patch patient information leaflet.

Very common side effects include:

• Irritated itchy skin where the patch has been applied

Common side effects include:

• Red, puffy skin where the patch is applied
• Breast pain
• Feeling dizzy
• Feeling depressed
• Headache
• Feeling sick
• Diarrhoea
• Joint pain
• Break through bleeding, spotting or periods
• Weight gain

Uncommon side effects include:

• Vaginal thrush
• Wind
• Palpitations
• Fuller breasts
• Painful periods
• Swelling of hands and feet
• Water retention or build-up of fluid under the skin
• Muscle pain
• Allergic reactions

Rare side effects include:

• Bloated feeling
• Gallstones

This is not an exhaustive list, please read the Evorel Patch patient information leaflet before you commence treatment. If any side effects are persistent or cause continued discomfort please call your GP or phone 111. In cases of emergency please phone 999.

Always inform your doctor or pharmacist of any medication you are taking including herbal medicines before you buy Evorel Patches and commence treatment. Some medications may interact with Evorel including;

• Medicines for epilepsy
• Certain medicines for infections such as rifampicin, rifabutin, nevirapine, efavirenz, ritonavir or nelfinavir
• Bosentan – for high blood pressure in the blood vessels of the lungs
• Herbal remedies containing St Johns Wort

Yes, you can legally buy Evorel Patches online from trusted prescriber such as e-Surgery for hormone replacement therapy.

Whenever you buy Evorel Patches online, or any other medication make sure you check for the green GPhC logo on the bottom of each page of the website you are using.

You can use the GPhC website to check if a pharmacy is registered. This will ensure that when you buy Evorel Patches online they are genuine.

If you choose to buy Evorel Patches online from e-Surgery it will cost £14.95, this includes the price of private prescription.

Your pack contents will depend on the strength of medication you have been prescribed.

• Evorel 25 contains 1.6 mg estradiol and delivers 25 micrograms of estradiol a day
• Evorel 50 contains 3.2 mg estradiol and delivers 50 micrograms of estradiol a day
• Evorel 75 contains 4.8 mg estradiol and delivers 75 micrograms of estradiol a day
• Evorel 100 contains 6.4 mg estradiol and delivers 100 micrograms of estradiol a day

The patches are square with rounded corners, they come in memory packs of 8 patches.

e-Surgery uses Royal Mail delivery with choices starting from Royal Mail tracked 48 delivery, Royal Mail tracked 24and Royal Mail 1pm special delivery (discover more about e-Surgery delivery). When you buy the Evorel Patch online they will arrive in discreet, recyclable packaging at a delivery address of your choice.

If you are unsure please find out more information on how to recycle packaging from e-Surgery.

Do not store Evorel Patches above 25C

Keep out of reach and sight of children as per instruction of the Evorel Patch patient information leaflet.

Do not use this medication after the expiry date stated on the package. Whenever you buy the Evorel Patch online from e-Surgery, or any other medication, please check the expiry date when your medication arrives to you in the post.

If you need more information before you buy the Evorel Patch online please read the Evorel Patch patient information leaflet.

Alternatively you can use our free Ask-a-Pharmacist service to gain additional support in answering any questions you might have. We are always here to help!