Ortho Evra Skin Patch
The Ortho Evra skin patch is a weekly hormonal form of birth control. The contraceptive patch releases hormones designed to prevent pregnancy. The patch combines the efficacy of birth control pills with a convenient and easy to use method of birth control.
The patch releases estrogen (female sex hormones) and progestin (synthetic hormone) into the bloodstream to protect against pregnancy for one month. During the month, a new skin patch will be placed on the body for three consecutive weeks. No Ortho Evra skin patch is required in the fourth week.
Ortho Evra Complications
The use of the Ortho Evra skin patch is not without its risks and a major side effect is the formation of blood clots. A blood clot is blood that has been converted from a liquid to a solid state. A clot can limit or stop flow of blood to the major organs in the body. Blood clots typically start in the legs or lungs and move to the heart or brain, causing a heart attack or stroke.
Reports indicate the Ortho Evra skin patch exposes women to twice the level of estrogen than woman using birth control pills. The higher level of estrogen increases the formation of blood clots. Heart attacks and strokes are direct results of blood clots.
Studies concluded that skin patch users suffering from blood clot illnesses are dying at a higher rate than women using birth control pills. College-age women and younger typically have a low risk for blood clot related diseases. A high number from this age group are dying from strokes and heart attacks while using the skin patch.
Drug Companies Information to Patients
Reports indicate Ortho McNeil, the manufacturer of the Ortho Evra skin patch, refused to provide funding for a study comparing side effects of the skin patch with their own birth control pill. An internal memo suggested that the pharmaceutical company was concerned the study would not produce positive results for the skin patch. Ortho McNeil maintains the skin patch is as safe as their birth control pill.
The manufacturer did revise the warning label on the Ortho Evra skin patch. The FDA insisted the skin patch labeling include a statement indicating that women using the Ortho Evra skin patch are exposed to more estrogen than a birth control pill. The increased estrogen exposure could lead to the risk of a fatal blood clot disease. The risk increases further in women who smoke and have family medical concerns. However, the changes to the label did little to warn women and doctors of the risk of dying while using the patch.
Researchers are not necessarily recommending women refrain from using Ortho Evra birth control skin patch, instead, call on doctors to discuss the risks of the skin patch with their patients. It is imperative the company that manufactures Ortho Evra birth control skin patch make every effort to inform the doctors and patients about the dangers of the skin patch.
If you or a loved one have used the Ortho Evra birth control skin patch and developed a blood clot related disease, then you may be eligible for compensation. Please contact the lawyers of Justice Lawyers at 877-810-4808 to learn more about your legal rights associated with blood clot conditions and Ortho Evra birth control patch.
The attorneys of the Law Office of Justice Lawyers are personal injury lawyers in Pensacola who protect victims of auto accidents, personal injury, wrongful death, defective drugs, consumer fraud, insurance fraud, product defects and defective medical devices, such as Guidant and Medtronic Pacemakers, and potentially harmful drugs, such as Ortho Evra. When you think of the top personal injury lawyers or car accident lawyers in Pensacola, think of Justice Lawyers.