Xulane is a brand-name birth control patch prescribed for pregnancy prevention in some adults. It contains the active ingredients norelgestromin and ethinyl estradiol. Xulane is not safe to use during pregnancy and breastfeeding.
Keep reading for specific information about reproductive health and Xulane. For a comprehensive look, see this other article about Xulane.
FDA warnings
This drug has boxed warnings about the following risks. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). It alerts doctors and patients about drug effects that may be dangerous.
• Females older than age 35 years who smoke: Females ages 35 years and older who smoke cigarettes should not use Xulane. Smoking raises your risk for serious cardiovascular problems with this drug. “Cardiovascular” means related to the heart and blood vessels. Examples of cardiovascular problems include heart attack and stroke.
• Females with a body mass index of 30 or higher: Females with a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or above, which is called obesity, should not use Xulane. (BMI is used to determine a target weight range that’s based on a person’s height.) Obesity increases your risk for developing blood clots while using Xulane.
For more information on these warnings, talk with your doctor.
Note: Sex and gender exist on spectrums. Use of the term “female” in this article refers to sex assigned at birth.
Show MoreDoctors prescribe Xulane to help prevent pregnancy in females of any age who can become pregnant. However, it isn’t 100% effective at preventing pregnancy. A small percentage of females may become pregnant while using Xulane.
Also, some females may have a higher chance of becoming pregnant than others while using Xulane. In clinical trials, Xulane was less effective in females who weighed 198 pounds (about 90 kilograms) or more. [Xulane is approved for use in females with a body mass index (BMI) of under 30.]
No evidence of harmful effects exists on a fetus when females use Xulane during early pregnancy. Xulane also didn’t raise the risk of pregnancy loss in females who used the drug before becoming pregnant or during early pregnancy.
If you think you may be pregnant while using Xulane, call your doctor right away. They’ll likely have you take a pregnancy test. If you’re pregnant, you’ll stop using Xulane.
Note: Sex and gender exist on spectrums. Use of the term “female” in this article refers to sex assigned at birth.
Xulane and fertility
Xulane works to help prevent pregnancy by stopping ovulation (the release of an egg from your ovary). A few months after stopping Xulane, your fertility (ability to become pregnant) should return to how it was before.
If you’re concerned about your fertility after stopping Xulane, talk with your doctor.
If you’re breastfeeding or planning to do so, it’s important to consider how Xulane may affect you and a breastfed child.
Doctors recommend that you avoid using Xulane while breastfeeding. Xulane might reduce your body’s production of breast milk. Also, small amounts of the drug are present in breast milk, and its effects in a breastfed child aren’t known.
If you have questions about using Xulane while breastfeeding, talk with your doctor. They can guide you on the risks and benefits of using this birth control method.
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.
