Ortho Evra Patch Causes Injury
Study results released on September 20, 2006 confirmed increased risk of blood clots associated with the use of Ortho Evra versus oral contraceptives. Women using Ortho Evra are twice as likely to develop blood clots as those using oral contraceptive pills. As a result, the FDA asked Ortho McNeil Pharmaceuticals, a division of Johnson & Johnson, to update the safety label on Ortho Evra, to warn users about the risk of blood clots, heart attacks and strokes.
In 2005, the FDA stated that women using Ortho Evra are exposed to approximately 60 percent more estrogen than those who use oral contraceptive pills. It is believed that the difference in exposure is related to the delivery mechanism of the birth control patch. Hormones in birth control pills are partially diluted by the digestive system. However, hormones in Ortho Evra are absorbed directly into the blood stream, which causes a higher concentration of the medication to enter a patient's body. High levels of estrogen can greatly increase the risk of developing blood clots, heart attacks, strokes and other serious injuries.
Approximately 4 million women have used the Ortho Evra Patch since it went on sale in 2002. As of November 2005, the FDA had received twenty-one reports of life-threatening blood clots and other ailments associated with the use of Ortho Evra. FDA records obtained by the Associated Press showed that seventeen patch users between the ages of 17 and 30 suffered fatal heart attacks, blood clots and possible strokes since August 2002.
The manufacturers of Ortho Evra have aggressively marketed the patch as a convenient alternative to oral birth control pills. The drug's original safety label stated that the patch's health risks were similar to those related to oral contraceptives, even though a recent suit alleges that the company was well aware that the birth control patch could cause high rates of blood clots.
Pharmaceutical Whistleblower
Former Johnson & Johnson Chief Medical Examiner Dr. Joel Lippman recently blew the whistle on his old company. Lippman claims that during 15 years in high-ranking medical positions at Johnson & Johnson, the company repeatedly released or refused to recall dangerous products to which he objected, including the Ortho Evra birth control patch. In a whistleblower suit brought against his former employer, Lippman claimed, "The clinical research had revealed that the estrogen dose released by the Evra patch as a means of birth control may increase the risk of deep venous thrombosis and pulmonary embolisms."
Legal Rights for Ortho Evra Patch Users
Jerry Wallentine zealously represents injured people, and will discuss representing you or a deceased loved one who was injured by Ortho Evra. If you have suffered heart attacks, strokes, blood clots and other serious injuries after using Ortho Evra, call now to speak with an experienced personal injury lawyer.
