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Home » Areas of Practice » Product Liability

Ortho Evra Recall

According to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the Ortho Evra contraceptive patch, produced by Ortho-McNeil) exposes millions of women to abnormal amounts of estrogen. This increases their risk of blood clots, stroke, and heart attack. In a sense, the patch is a pioneer because it is the first of its kind to be approved for birth control. The company has aggressively pitched the patch to consumers and doctors alike as suitable alternative to oral birth control. The patch is composed of three layers; Hormones embedded in the sticky layer are gradually discharged when applied to the skin.

The patch's warning states that women will be exposed to around 60 percent more estrogen opposed to women using standard birth control pills. Since August of 2002, FDA records show that 17 women between the ages of 17 and 30 who used the Ortho Evra patch died of heart attacks, strokes, or blood clots.

Women thinking about using the patch should meet with their doctor first to discuss how estrogen levels rise with the patch compared to other forms of birth control. Women already using Ortho Evra should contact a physician right away if they notice any of the following symptoms:

  • Intense chest pain
  • Coughing up blood
  • Difficulty breathing
  • Calf pain
  • Tightness of chest
  • Extreme headache
  • Vomiting
  • Dizziness
  • Feeling faint or weak
  • Disturbance of speech
  • Vision impairment
  • Breast lumps
  • Stomach pain
  • Insomnia
  • Fatigue
  • Mood swings
  • Jaundice of skin or eyes
  • Fever
  • Loss of appetite
  • Darkened urine
  • Lightened bowel movements

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