CombiPatch and Pregnancy

If a pregnant woman uses a Category X medication (such as CombiPatch), pregnancy problems or birth defects could potentially occur. The risks of using CombiPatch during pregnancy are not fully known, and there is no legitimate medical reason for pregnant women to use the medication. Therefore, the drug should not be taken during pregnancy. If you are already using CombiPatch and pregnancy occurs, contact your healthcare provider immediately.

CombiPatch Hormone Information

An Overview of CombiPatch and Pregnancy

CombiPatch^® (estradiol/norethindrone patch) is a prescription hormone replacement medication. It contains both an estrogen and a progestin hormone. It is not approved for any use in pregnant women. Because there is no accepted medical reason for pregnant women to use CombiPatch, the medication should be avoided during pregnancy.

CombiPatch and Pregnancy Category X

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) uses a pregnancy category system to classify the possible risks to a fetus when a specific medicine is taken during pregnancy. Pregnancy Category X is given to medications that should not be used during pregnancy, usually due to serious problems that could occur (such as birth defects or miscarriages).

Some studies have suggested that norethindrone (the progestin in CombiPatch) may increase the risk of birth defects, although other studies have shown no increased risk. Because the risks are not fully understood (and because there is no accepted, legitimate medical reason for pregnant women to use CombiPatch), it should not be used during pregnancy.

CombiPatch and Pregnancy: Final Thoughts

CombiPatch should never be intentionally used during pregnancy. If you use CombiPatch and think you may be pregnant, you should contact your healthcare provider for further instructions.