Ortho Evra Claims Lawyers

Mobile, Alabama

The Ortho Evra Birth Control Patch, an alternative to oral contraceptives, is marketed by Ortho-McNeil for its convenience, efficacy, and similar safety profile to the birth control pill. However, the Ortho Evra patch delivers approximately 60% more estrogen than standard birth control pills and sometimes the patch may deliver far more all at once, leading to deadly cardiovascular conditions in young women who are normally at a very low risk for such problems.

How it Works

The Ortho Evra patch is a transdermal patch. A transdermal patch is an adhesive patch, much like a large band-aid, which delivers the medication through the skin, directly into the bloodstream. Oral contraceptives are processed through the digestive system, and metabolized through the liver before entering the bloodstream. A transdermal patch bypasses the digestive system altogether, allowing more of the drug to enter the bloodstream.

Instead of taking a pill every day, the patch is worn on the abdomen, buttocks, upper outer arm, or upper torso, and changed weekly. It is worn for three weeks and left off for one week.

Ortho Evra Side Effects

Exposure to high levels of estrogen is known to cause blood clots. Serious side effects associated with Ortho Evra use include:

Blood Clots
Deep Vein Thrombosis
Pulmonary Embolism
Heart Attack
Stroke
Gall bladder problems
Liver problems
Severe allergic reaction

Symptoms and Side Effects

You may or may not experience noticeable symptoms before suffering a dangerous cardiovascular event. You should discontinue use of Ortho Evra and seek emergency medical attention if you experience any of the following:

Chest pain or heaviness in chest
Weakness or numbness of limbs, especially on one side of the body
Swelling of the extremities
Severe leg pain
Severe headache
Sudden vision problems
Dizziness
Nausea and/or vomiting
Severe fatigue
Speech problems
Shortness of breath
Severe pain or swelling of the abdomen
Jaundice
Allergic reaction such as hives, swelling of the lips, closing of the throat
Loss of appetite

The following are less severe side effects but still require medical attention if you have been wearing the Ortho Evra patch:

Weight gain
Irregular menstrual cycles
Menstrual cramps
Abdominal pain
Nausea
Breast pain, tenderness or engorgement
Headache
Upper respiratory infection

Since its introduction in 2002, about four million women have used the Ortho Evra patch. At least one study has found that women using the Ortho Evra patch are twice as likely to develop blood clots than women taking birth control pills. Although warning labels have been updated to alert women to the higher level of estrogen exposure, the drug has not yet been pulled from the market.

If you or a loved one has suffered serious side effects while (or shortly after) using the Ortho Evra Birth Control Patch, please contact our Mobile, Alabama Ortho Evra Side Effects Attorneys today to arrange a free, no-obligation consultation.

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