When the Ortho Evra Birth Control Patch was introduced onto the market, the innovative delivery of estrogen, the ease of use and the slick marketing campaign resulted in quick success. Since the patch went on sale in 2002, over 4 million women have used the birth control method and since that launch the FDA has received 21 reports of injury related to the Ortho Evra birth control patch. In late 2005, the FDA announced a revision in the Ortho Evra labeling which now makes users more aware of the increased dose of estrogen the patch provides and the risks associated with that increased hormone level.
The contraceptive patch, made only by Johnson & Johnson in the form of the Ortho Evra patch is a synthetic hormone contraceptive. By releasing a specific amount of estrogen and other hormones through the patch and into the body, ovulation is inhibited and pregnancy is therefore prevented. There have long been risks associated with taking any kind of oral contraceptive, including elevated risks of blood clots and heart attack, especially in smokers.
The Ortho Evra patch carries the same risks for potential side effects including some weight gain, urinary tract infections, skin problems, headaches and changes to menstrual flow. Other side effects can include breast tenderness (and enlargement), depression and other emotional changes and nausea. The main issue with the patch is that the method of delivering the estrogen into the body may mean that higher levels of the hormone are being released and therefore potentially increasing risks. In fact, the drug maker has stipulated to the fact that the patch releases up to 60% more estrogen than an oral contraceptive. There have been studies that show an increased risk of thromboembolic episodes, or blood clots related to the patch and studies that counter those findings.
In April of 2006 it was widely reported that Johnson & Johnson and its subsidiaries have been settling a number of wrongful death and product liability lawsuits related to the Ortho Evra birth control patch. Specifically, Ortho-Mcneil in Raritan, N.J. have been approaching all claimants and attorneys and have already paid out millions of dollars to women and the families of women who have been injured or killed by the Ortho Evra patch.
In March of 2006, a federal wrongful death lawsuit was filed by Parker & Waichman, LLP on behalf of a 20 year old female victim who had been using the patch for 10 months and died of a pulmonary thromboembolism. There are hundreds of lawsuits pending in state courts across the country. In this case, the drug maker did not warn the public of the potential risks of the patch even though records show that the manufacturer received hundreds of complaints and reports between April 2002 and December 2004 about serious health problems among the young women, from ages 14 to 40, who were using their contraceptive patch.
If you or someone you know used the Ortho Evra contraceptive patch and suffered from a blood clot related condition, or if someone you know died from a complication relating to thromboembolism you should contact a defective drug attorney or personal injury attorney as quickly as possible.