Ortho Evra Contraceptive Patch

Ortho Evra is being increasingly linked to serious health problems, from heart attacks, strokes, blood clots and comas - to even death. Currently, there have been over 9000 reports of adverse reactions by women who have user the Ortho Evra patch, to include nearly 20 confirmed deaths.

To date, there has not been a recall of the drug, despite the growing number of lawsuits that stem from Ortho Evra users. Women who have taken the drug and experienced side effects are urged to contact Peterson and Associates to discuss their legal rights.

Recently, documents have surfaced that suggest Ortho-McNeil has been analyzing the FDAs death and injury reports of Ortho Evra users, that shows a significant increase in blood clots, strokes and death compared to other women who take birth control pills other than the Ortho Evra patch.

According to an article in the Associated Press dated November 11, 2005, Ortho-McNeil refused to fund a medical study comparing the Ortho Evra birth control patch against the Ortho-Cyclen pill due to a fear that "too high a chance that study may not produce a positive result for Evra" and a "risk that Ortho Evra may be the same or worse than Ortho-Cyclen."

It has been established that women who use the Ortho Evra patch are being exposed to 60 percent more estrogen than women who take a typical birth control pill containing 35 micrograms of estrogen. As a result, this means that women are being exposed to much greater levels of estrogen and may have a significantly increased chance of serious risks.

Since FDA approval, sales for Ortho Evra have exceeded $400 million dollars. While many health care providers no longer prescribe the Ortho Evra birth control patch, sales continue to women. Women should be aware of the serious risks by consulting their doctor. Additionally, a class action lawsuit is likely to occur and women should contact an attorney who specializes in medical lawsuits and protecting the rights of the consumer.

In addition to the death, some of the adverse reactions that have been associated with Ortho Evra usage are:

• Difficulty breathing or closing of throat
• Coughing blood or sharp, sudden chest pains
• Sudden shortness of breath
• Pain in calves or abdomen (swelling, tenderness, etc)
• Change in menstrual flow or spotting
• Severe headache or migraines
• Nausea or vomiting
• Vision and/or speech problems
• Rashes as a result of allergic reaction
• Yellowing of skin or whites of eyes (jaundice)
• Irregular vaginal bleeding
• Swelling of fingers and ankles
• Depression
• Difficulty sleeping
• Weakness, lack of energy and fatigue

If you or a loved one have taken Ortho Evra and are concerned with your legal rights, please contact Peterson and Associates immediately, for a confidential consultation. Peterson and Associates specializes in helping consumers protect their legal rights, and has earned over $200 million in settlements and judgments for their clients. Click here to contact us or call (800) 305-552.

UPDATE - January 18, 2007

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) today approved additional changes to the Ortho Evra Contraceptive Transdermal (Skin) Patch label to include the results of a new epidemiology study that found that users of the birth control patch were at higher risk of developing serious blood clots, also known as venous thromboembolism (VTE), than women using birth control pills. VTE can lead to pulmonary embolism.