The short answer
CombiPatch is a transdermal patch containing estradiol and norethindrone acetate, changed twice a week. Its current label approves it in women with a uterus for moderate-to-severe hot flashes due to menopause, moderate-to-severe vulvar and vaginal atrophy due to menopause, and hypoestrogenism due to hypogonadism, castration, or primary ovarian failure. It is not interchangeable with estradiol-only patches.
Boxed warning on the current CombiPatch label
The current CombiPatch label (DailyMed, February 2024) carries a boxed warning for cardiovascular disorders, breast cancer, endometrial cancer, and probable dementia, and states that estrogen plus progestin should not be used to prevent heart disease or dementia. In November 2025 the FDA asked hormone therapy manufacturers to remove some boxed-warning language, but a product's warning changes only when its own label is revised.
Label contraindications include undiagnosed abnormal genital bleeding, known, suspected, or past breast cancer, estrogen-dependent cancer, current or past blood clots, current or past stroke or heart attack, liver disease, known clotting disorders, serious allergy to the product, and pregnancy.
Current label check
The medication-specific claims on this page were checked against these current product labels on 2026-10-03.
| Product label | Label date | Boxed warning on that label |
|---|---|---|
| CombiPatch (estradiol/norethindrone acetate) patch | 2024-02-21 | Cardiovascular disorders, breast cancer, endometrial cancer, probable dementia |
Established evidence
FDA-approved uses
- Moderate-to-severe vasomotor symptoms due to menopause
- Moderate-to-severe vulvar and vaginal atrophy due to menopause (topical vaginal products should be considered first when this is the only symptom)
- Hypoestrogenism due to hypogonadism, castration, or primary ovarian failure
Continuous and sequential use
The label describes continuous combined use, wearing CombiPatch throughout, and a sequential option in which an estradiol-only patch is used for part of the cycle and CombiPatch for the rest. The prescriber chooses the regimen. Continuous regimens aim for no monthly bleed after an adjustment period, while sequential regimens usually produce a regular bleed.
CombiPatch vs other combination products
| Product | Ingredients | Form and schedule |
|---|---|---|
| CombiPatch | Estradiol + norethindrone acetate | Patch, twice weekly |
| Climara Pro | Estradiol + levonorgestrel | Patch, once weekly |
| Activella | Estradiol + norethindrone acetate | Tablet, daily |
Applying the patch
Apply to smooth, clean, dry skin of the lower abdomen, avoiding the breasts and waistline, and rotate sites. Store according to the label. Used patches should be folded and discarded away from children and pets.
Established evidence
Common side effects
- Application-site reactions
- Breast pain
- Irregular bleeding, especially early
- Headache
- Abdominal pain
Questions to ask a healthcare professional
- Continuous or sequential use for me?
- Would a separate estradiol patch plus progesterone suit me better?
- When should bleeding be checked?
Questions, answered
What people ask about CombiPatch
Is CombiPatch the same as an estradiol patch?+
No. It also contains norethindrone acetate, a progestin, and is only for people with a uterus.
Does Kindr Health offer CombiPatch?+
This page is educational and does not state or imply availability through Kindr Health.
Kindr Health does not claim to offer CombiPatch on this page. Availability and prescribing are not implied.
A broader care pathway
Explore menopause care
Learn how Kindr Health care pathways work. An educational page is not a statement that this medication is available or appropriate for you.
SOURCES & REFERENCES
Every clinical claim on this page is sourced.
- CombiPatch (estradiol/norethindrone acetate transdermal system) prescribing information (2024) — DailyMed, U.S. National Library of Medicine. dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=83198ef1-11c4-11e4-9191-0800200c9a66
- FDA initiates removal of boxed warnings from menopausal hormone therapy products (2025) — U.S. Department of Health and Human Services / FDA. www.hhs.gov/press-room/fact-sheet-fda-initiates-removal-of-black-box-warnings-from-menopausal-hormone-replacement-therapy-products.html
- FDA approves labeling changes to menopausal hormone therapy products (first six labels) (2026) — U.S. Food and Drug Administration. www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/fda-approves-labeling-changes-menopausal-hormone-therapy-products
- The 2022 hormone therapy position statement of The North American Menopause Society (2022) — The Menopause Society (Menopause journal). pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35797481
This resource is educational and does not replace individualized medical advice. Do not start, stop, or change a prescription without guidance from a licensed healthcare professional.