Gwyn Lo (Norelgestromin/Ethinyl Estradiol Transdermal) - Uses, Side Effects, and More

Who should not use Gwyn Lo?

Allergies to Ingredients. People who are allergic to any of the following should not use Gwyn Lo.

• Gwyn Lo
• Ethinyl estradiol
• Norelgestromin
• Any of the ingredients in the specific product dispensed

Your pharmacist can tell you all of the ingredients in Gwyn Lo.

Smoking. Do not use Gwyn Lo if you are older than 35 and smoke. Smoking while using combination hormonal birth control increases the risk of blood clots, heart attack, stroke, and death.

Obesity. Do not use Gwyn Lo if your body mass index (BMI) is in the obesity range, which is 30 kg/m² or higher. People with a BMI of 30 kg/m² or higher who use a combination hormonal birth control patch may have a higher risk of blood clots.

Drug Interactions. Gwyn Lo should not be used while you are using certain other medicines. Before using Gwyn Lo, tell your health care provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. See the Interactions section for more details.

Blood Clots or Heart or Blood Vessel Problems. Do not use Gwyn Lo if you have or have had any of the following, as these conditions may raise your risk of blood clots.

• A blood clot in your leg (DVT), lungs, eyes, or another part of your body
• A stroke or heart attack
• A heart valve or heart rhythm problem that increases your risk of blood clots, such as atrial fibrillation or an infection called subacute bacterial endocarditis
• A condition that makes your blood clot more easily (hypercoagulation)
• Coronary artery disease
• Disease affecting the blood vessels in your brain
• Diabetes with kidney, eye, nerve, or blood vessel damage
• High blood pressure that is not controlled or you have high blood pressure with a condition that affects your blood vessels (vascular disease)

Headaches or Migraines. Gwyn Lo should not be used if you have migraines with symptoms (aura) that affect your vision, hearing, strength, sensation, or ability to speak, or certain other types of headaches. Gwyn Lo should not be used if you are 35 or older with any type of migraine.

Liver Problems. Gwyn Lo should not be used if your liver is not working as well as it should be or if you have tumors in your liver. If there is a concern about the health of your liver, your health care provider may do tests to check if it is working well enough to use this medicine.

Abnormal Bleeding. Gwyn Lo should not be used if you have vaginal bleeding between periods that has not been checked by a health care provider.

Breast Cancer or Hormone-Sensitive Cancer. Do not use Gwyn Lo if you have or have had breast cancer or other cancer that is sensitive to estrogen or progestin hormones. Hormones can make some cancers grow or worsen.

What should I know about Gwyn Lo before using it?

Do not use Gwyn Lo unless it has been prescribed to you by a health care provider. Use it as prescribed.

Do not share Gwyn Lo with other people, even if they have the same condition as you. It may harm them.

Keep Gwyn Lo out of the reach of children and pets.

Read the Patient Information and Instructions for Use that comes with your prescription before using Gwyn Lo. Ask your health care provider or pharmacist if you have questions about how to apply or change the patch.

Do not smoke while using Gwyn Lo if you are older than 35. The risk of blood clots may be increased.

Gwyn Lo does not protect against HIV/AIDS or other sexually transmitted infections.

Use only 1 patch at a time. Do not cut, damage, or change the patch because it may not work as well.

Check the patch every day and after bathing or showering to make sure all edges are sticking to your skin. Avoid swimming or other contact with water that lasts 30 minutes or longer. Ask your health care provider about another birth control method if you swim or are often in water for at least 30 minutes.

Do not apply makeup, creams, lotions, oils, powders, or other skin products where you place the patch. These products may keep it from sticking properly.

Do not put Gwyn Lo on your breasts, on skin that is broken or irritated, or under tight clothing, waistbands, or straps. 

When changing your Gwyn Lo patch, do not put the new patch on the exact same spot where your previous patch was placed. You may use the same general body area, but choose a different spot each time.

You may have bleeding or spotting between periods, especially during the first few months. You may also miss a period even when you are not pregnant.

Contact your health care provider if you miss one period after not using your patches as directed, miss two periods in a row, or have symptoms of pregnancy, such as morning sickness or unusual breast tenderness.

When you are ready to throw your patch away, remove the patch from your skin, fold the sticky sides of the patch together, put it in a sturdy child-proof container, and throw the container in the trash. Do not flush patches down the toilet. These steps help protect others because used patches still contain some hormones.

Tell your health care providers that you use Gwyn Lo before having blood tests. Hormonal birth control can affect some test results, including tests for blood clotting, cholesterol, blood sugar, and certain proteins.

What should I tell my health care provider before using Gwyn Lo?

Tell your health care provider about all of your health conditions and any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. This will help them know if Gwyn Lo is right for you.

In particular, make sure that you discuss any of the following.

Major Surgery or Extended Bedrest. Tell your health care provider about any planned surgery or if you need to be on bedrest. Gwyn Lo may increase your risk of blood clots during and after major surgery or during long periods when you cannot move much. Your health care provider will tell you if and when to stop and restart Gwyn Lo. They can also recommend what other birth control methods to use during that time.

Gallbladder Problems. Gwyn Lo may cause or worsen gallbladder problems. Tell your health care provider if you have gallstones, gallbladder disease, or a history of cholestasis, which is slowed bile flow from the liver.

Angioedema. Tell your health care provider if you have hereditary angioedema. Using Gwyn Lo may trigger or worsen symptoms, such as swelling of the face, lips, tongue, throat, or other parts of the body.

Chloasma. Tell your health care provider if you have had a condition that led to dark patches of skin around your forehead, nose, cheeks, and around your mouth, especially during pregnancy (chloasma). Gwyn Lo may cause these patches to return or become darker. If you have had chloasma and use Gwyn Lo, it is recommended to use sunscreen when you are outdoors and limit your exposure to sunlight, tanning beds, and sun lamps.

Depression. Tell your health care provider if you have or have had depression. Gwyn Lo may worsen depression.

Diabetes or Prediabetes. Tell your health care provider if you have diabetes or prediabetes. As Gwyn Lo may raise blood sugar, you may need closer monitoring.

High Cholesterol or Triglycerides. Gwyn Lo may cause unwanted changes in the levels of fats in your blood. Tell your health care provider if you have high triglycerides or a family history of high triglycerides. Gwyn Lo may increase your triglyceride levels, which may increase your chances of having pancreatitis.

Pregnancy. Do not use Gwyn Lo during pregnancy. Stop using it and contact your health care provider if you become pregnant.

Breastfeeding. Gwyn Lo can pass into breast milk and may decrease the amount of milk you make. Tell your health care provider if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. Your health care provider will let you know if you should use Gwyn Lo while breastfeeding. They may recommend a different birth control method.

How can I get more information about Gwyn Lo?

For more information about Gwyn Lo, you can visit the drugmaker’s website at www.viatris.com or call them at 877-446-3679.