Ortho Evra Lawsuit Lawyer

The Ortho Evra Birth Control Patch - What you Need to Know

People have long been looking for the ultimate birth control method, and several options have been available on the market for quite some time. Popular choices for birth control methods have included condoms, "the pill" and several other lesser-known choices, but each of them has proven to be anything but 100% effective.

That's why the Ortho Evra birth control patch, manufactured by Ortho McNeil Pharmaceuticals, hit the market with such a high degree of promise and publicity. It appeared to have all the advantages in place that were seen as potential problems with other birth control methods. For instance, "the patch" offers a much higher degree of protection than condoms and does not require nearly as much diligence as "the pill," which needs to be taken every day at the same time.

How the Ortho Evra Patch Works

The Ortho Evra patch is quite simple in its approach. Women are prescribed this method by their doctors, and the product is used by affixing the patch to the skin of the buttocks, stomach, upper outer-arm or upper torso once a week for three consecutive weeks. This method provides one month of full birth control protection.

Specifically, the Ortho Evra patch works with the female body's chemistry in order to prevent the likelihood of pregnancy. The patch, once it's attached to the skin, releases estrogen and progestin into the body's system, and these chemicals work with the existing body chemistry to prevent fertilization of eggs.

Problems Arise

Unfortunately, the Ortho Evra patch ultimately came under scrutiny due to its potential link to serious side effects. The basis for the formation of these side effects is that prolonged exposure to a high level of estrogen is harmful to women, and this exposure can lead to blood clots as a result of a disturbed circulatory system. Blood clots in general can lead to even more serious consequences, including heart attacks and strokes.

Ultimately, the FDA felt the need to get involved and to work with Ortho McNeil Pharmaceuticals. On its Web site in 2005, the FDA published a press release informing the public that it had approved an updated labeling system for the Ortho Evra patch that included a warning relating to the high exposure of estrogen. In 2006, the FDA updated its patient information sheet on the Ortho Evra patch that included information regarding general precautions and those people who should avoid using the patch.

Overall, the history of the Ortho Evra birth control patch has shown that there can be serious risks involved with using it. If you have been injured as a result of using this product, contact the Ortho Evra lawyers at Williams Kherkher today for a free initial consultation.