Key takeaways
Xulane (norelgestromin / ethinyl estradiol) and Twirla (levonorgestrel / ethinyl estradiol) are both birth control patches that help prevent pregnancy. They belong to the same drug class of combined hormonal contraceptives, containing both estrogen and progestin. However, they differ in the type of progestin they contain: Xulane uses norelgestromin, while Twirla uses levonorgestrel. Xulane releases higher amounts of hormones compared to Twirla, which may lead to more side effects. Xulane is available as a lower-cost generic, whereas Twirla is only available as a brand-name medication. Both patches are applied once a week for three weeks, followed by a patch-free week, but Twirla is slightly larger in size. Common side effects for both include skin irritation, nausea, and sore breasts. Both medications have similar contraindications, such as not being suitable for individuals with a BMI of 30 kg/m² or more, those over 35 who smoke, or those with a history of blood clots.
