Zafemy (norelgestromin/ethinyl estradiol) is a generic skin patch that’s prescribed to prevent pregnancy in certain people. As with other drugs, Zafemy can cause side effects. Examples include mood disorders and headache.

Zafemy has boxed warnings. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). For details, see the “Side effect specifics” section.

Zafemy can cause certain side effects, some of which are more common than others. These side effects may be temporary, lasting a few days to weeks. However, if the side effects last longer than that, bother you, or become severe, be sure to talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

These are just a few of the more common side effects reported by people who used Zafemy in clinical trials:

  • abdominal pain
  • breast discomfort, breast pain, or increased breast size
  • nausea and vomiting
  • skin reactions (such as pain, itching, or discoloration) around the patch application site
  • mild headache

Mild side effects can occur with Zafemy use. This list doesn’t include all possible mild side effects of the drug. For more information, you can refer to Zafemy’s prescribing information.

Mild side effects that have been reported with Zafemy include:

These side effects may be temporary, lasting a few days to weeks. However, if the side effects last longer than that, bother you, or become severe, be sure to talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Note: After the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves a drug, it tracks and reviews side effects of the medication. If you develop a side effect while using Zafemy and want to tell the FDA about it, visit MedWatch.

* For more information about this side effect, see “Side effect specifics.”

Zafemy may cause serious side effects. The list below may not include all possible serious side effects of the drug. For more information, you can refer to Zafemy’s prescribing information.

If you develop serious side effects while using Zafemy, call your doctor right away. If the side effects seem life threatening or you think you’re having a medical emergency, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number.

Serious side effects that have been reported and their symptoms include:

* Zafemy has a boxed warning for this side effect. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the FDA. For more information, see “Side effect specifics.”

ALLERGIC REACTION

For some people, Zafemy can cause an allergic reaction. But this side effect wasn’t reported in the drug’s clinical trials.

In general, symptoms of allergic reaction can be mild or serious.

Ways to manage

For mild allergic reaction symptoms, such as a mild rash, call your doctor right away. They may recommend treatments to help manage your symptoms. They’ll also let you know whether you should keep taking the medication.

For severe allergic reaction symptoms, such as swelling or trouble breathing, call 911 or your local emergency number right away. These symptoms require immediate medical care because they can become life threatening. If you’ve had a serious allergic reaction to Zafemy, your doctor may recommend taking a different medication instead.

Zafemy may cause several side effects. Here are some frequently asked questions about the drug’s side effects and their answers.

How do the side effects of Zafemy compare with those of Xulane?

Zafemy and Xulane have very similar side effects. They’re both skin patches prescribed for pregnancy prevention in certain people. Both patches contain the same hormones with the same strengths, so they generally have similar side effects.

For lists of possible side effects of Zafemy, see “Mild side effects of Zafemy” and “Serious side effects of Zafemy.” For details about Xulane’s side effects, you can view this article.

You can also talk with your doctor or pharmacist to learn more about the side effects of each patch.

Does Zafemy cause weight loss?

Zafemy isn’t likely to cause weight loss. This side effect wasn’t reported in the drug’s clinical trials.

However, weight gain is a possible side effect of Zafemy. For more information, see “Side effect specifics.”

If you have unintentional weight loss while using Zafemy, talk with your doctor. They can help determine what may be causing your weight changes and recommend ways to manage it.

If you have other questions about Zafemy and weight loss, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Learn more about some of the side effects that Zafemy may cause. To find out how often side effects occurred in clinical trials, see the prescribing information for Zafemy.

Boxed warnings

Zafemy has boxed warningsTrusted Source for certain risks. These include a risk of serious cardiovascular problems with cigarette smoking and a risk of blood clots in people with a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or greater. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the FDA. It alerts doctors and patients about effects of a drug that may be dangerous.

Risk of serious cardiovascular problems with cigarette smoking

Smoking cigarettes while using Zafemy may increase the risk of serious cardiovascular problems. Examples of these problems include blood clots, heart attack, and stroke. This risk increases with age and is especially high in people over age 35 years.

Cardiovascular problems were uncommon in clinical trials of Zafemy. Still, your doctor may advise you to watch for certain symptoms while using Zafemy. These may include:

  • blood clot symptoms, such as pain in the affected area, warm or discolored skin, and difficulty breathing
  • heart attack symptoms, such as sweating, nausea, and pain in your shoulder, neck, chest, or arm
  • stroke symptoms, such as slurred speech, confusion, and numbness or weakness on one side of your body

What you can do

Before using Zafemy, tell your doctor if you’ve ever smoked cigarettes. If you’re over the age of 35 years and smoke, your doctor is unlikely to prescribe Zafemy. Instead, they may prescribe a different type of birth control.

If you have blood clot symptoms while using Zafemy, contact your doctor right away. If your symptoms are severe or related to a heart attack or stroke, call 911 or a local emergency number immediately.

Risk of blood clots in certain people

Zafemy may increase the risk of blood clots in people with a BMI of 30 or greater. Blood clots may occur in the lungs or a deep vein, typically in the leg.

Blood clots were uncommon in Zafemy’s clinical trials. Still, this risk may be greater for people with a BMI of 30 or greater than for people with a lower BMI.

Symptoms of a blood clot in the lungs may include difficulty breathing and chest pain. Symptoms of a blood clot in a deep vein may include pain, warmth, or discolored skin near the affected area.

What you can do

Before your doctor prescribes Zafemy, they may calculate your BMI. If your BMI is 30 or greater, they’re unlikely to prescribe Zafemy. Instead, they may prescribe a different type of birth control.

If you develop symptoms of a blood clot while using Zafemy, contact your doctor immediately. If your symptoms seem severe or life threatening, call 911 or a local emergency number right away.

Weight gain

Although uncommon, weight gain was reported in clinical trials of Zafemy. However, it isn’t known how much weight gain occurred in people who used Zafemy in these trials.

What you can do

If you have concerns about weight gain while using Zafemy, talk with your doctor. They can recommend ways to maintain a weight that’s healthy for you.

Keep in mind that your doctor may monitor your weight while you’re using Zafemy and use it to calculate your BMI. This is because using Zafemy while having a BMI of 30 or greater could raise your risk of blood clots. If you experience weight gain that leads to a BMI above this range, your doctor may switch you to a different type of birth control. To learn more about this risk, see “Boxed warnings” above.

Below is important information you should consider before using Zafemy.

Zafemy has boxed warnings. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). For details, see the “Side effect specifics” section.

Other precautions

Before using Zafemy, discuss your health history with your doctor. Zafemy may not be right for you if you have certain medical conditions or other factors affecting your health. Be sure to talk with your doctor if any of the following apply to you:

Disclaimer: Medical News Today has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.