First approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2002, the Ortho Evra patch is a contraceptive device that, when placed on the skin and worn consecutively for seven days, transmits hormones to a woman’s body to help minimize the risk of becoming pregnant by up to 99 percent. The Ortho Evra patch is produced by Ortho McNeil, a subsidiary of Johnson & Johnson, and many have lauded the patch due to its ability to reduce the symptoms of PMS while helping to reduce the chances a woman will develop anemia, pelvic inflammatory disorder, and/or ovarian cysts.
Ortho Evra Side Effects
Although the Ortho Evra patch can be just as effective as oral contraceptives, the patch carries many of the same serious risks and side effects as birth control pills, some of which include blood clots, deep vein thrombosis DVT, pulmonary embolism (PE), heart attack, and stroke.
Women who have a history of any of these conditions, as well as those who smoke, have recently undergone surgery or who are older than 35, have the highest risk of developing severe Ortho Evra side effects.
Ortho Evra Warnings
Over the years, the FDA has issued a number of Ortho Evra warnings to alert both medical professionals and consumers about the potential dangers associated with using Ortho McNeil’s patch. The first of these warnings came in November 2005 when the FDA mandated that Ortho McNeil include a prominent warning on all Ortho Evra patch packaging and ads. The bold-print warning states that the patch exposes its users to higher amounts of estrogen than birth control pills. Exposure to higher amounts of estrogen has been known to increase the possibility of developing blood clots and DVTs.
Ortho Evra Lawyers, Lawsuits, and Settlements
Ortho Evra has injured many women, and the fact that this patch remains on the market means that it will likely continue causing some of its users to sustain severe health complications. It is vital that those who develop serious Ortho Evra side effects seek emergency medical attention. Once their health is stable, it is important that they meet with an experienced Ortho Evra patch attorney to receive a professional evaluation of their case, get their Ortho Evra lawsuit started at no upfront cost, and get on the path to securing the Ortho Evra settlement they deserve so they can move on with their lives.
If you or a loved one used the Ortho Evra patch and suffered from any side effect including DVT, stroke, pulmonary embolism, or heart attack you should contact a defective drug attorney immediately for a free and confidential case review. You may be entitled to compensation and we can help.
