Ortho Evra Patch Increases Chance of Blood Clots-
Since reports were published linking the Ortho Evra contraceptive patch to almost two dozen deaths, many people have begun filing product liability and wrongful death lawsuits against Ortho-McNeil, a subsidiary of Johnson and Johnson, the makers of the patch.
The Ortho Evra patch was released in 2003, and since then, it has been linked to many life-threatening complications and wrongful deaths in the United States. The patch is made to be worn for a full week, and then replaced on the same "patch change day" every week. Once the patch is worn for three consecutive weeks, the user then has a week without wearing the patch.
The Ortho Evra patch works by delivering continuous, high levels of progestin and estrogen into the blood stream through the skin. When used correctly, the Ortho Evra patch is equally or more effective than "the pill" and is 99% effective among women who use it.
The largest risk factor associated with the Ortho Evra patch is the development of blood clots, which can cause death. The Ortho Evra patch exposes women to almost six times the chance of developing blood clots compared with women who use the pill. Other side effects of the Ortho Evra patch include:
- High Blood Pressure
- Bladder Infection
- Heart Attack
- Skin Infection
- Vaginal Infections
- Difficulty Breathing
- Vomiting
- Muscle Pain
- Hair Loss
- Acne
In November, the FDA decided to require that the Ortho Evra patch contain a "black box" warning label. The "black box" warning label is required for some drugs that have significant drug-safety information.
The reason the Ortho Evra patch is now required to have a "black box" warning label is because it exposes users of the patch to significant levels of estrogen. The Ortho Evra patch exposes women to 60 percent more estrogen than women who take contraceptive pills. This amount of estrogen creates a greater risk for developing blood clots, heart attacks, or stroke. In a 17-month period, the FDA has logged over 9,000 reports of adverse reactions to the Ortho Evra patch.
Since it's introduction, over 4 million women have used the Ortho Evra patch. If you or a family member has suffered from the serious side effects, or even death as a result of taking the Ortho Evra patch and would like to file a lawsuit, contact The Stipe Law Firm wrongful death and product liability lawyers immediately to have your claim evaluated by an experienced product liability and wrongful death lawyer.
There may be time limits in which you have to commence your wrongful death or product liability lawsuit, so please contact The Stipe Law Firm to ensure your legal rights are fully protected. Not only does The Stipe Law Firm have offices in Oklahoma City, Tulsa, and McAlester, Oklahoma, but they are also associated with wrongful death and product liability lawyers in Louisiana, California, New York, Texas, Arkansas, Kansas, and Missouri.
