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ORTHO EVRA FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What is the problem with the Ortho Evra patch?

A woman who uses the Ortho Evra birth control patch is exposed to more estrogen than a woman who is on birth control pills. Estrogen can cause life-threatening blood clots and blood clot-related injuries, i.e. pulmonary embolisms, heart attacks, or strokes. A woman using the patch is 3 times more likely to have blood clots and die than a woman who is on birth control pills.

The FDA and the drug company knew about these increased risks before Ortho Evra was approved, but they did not disclose this information to the public or to the physicians. They did not include this information in the Ortho Evra label. The drug company even refused to conduct a particular study after the drug was on the market because they knew it would reveal the increased risks.

The FDA informed the public and ordered the drug company to add a warning to the label in November of 2005, only after the press had publicized the increased risk and the injuries and deaths caused by the patch.

For more information, see Failure to Warn the Public.

Has Ortho Evra been recalled?

No, the Ortho Evra patch has not been recalled. When a product is recalled, it is removed from the market, meaning that stores and consumers are asked to discard the product or return it to the manufacturer. Sometimes, only certain lots of products are recalled and the rest continue to be sold. When a product has serious design defects, it may be removed permanently from the market, meaning it will no longer be sold.

With Ortho Evra, the FDA notified the public about the increased risks associated with the patch and ordered the drug manufacturer to notify physicians and add a warning to the label. This occurred in November of 2005. Ortho Evra is still being produced and sold as before, just with the new warning added to label.

I'm using the patch now. What should I do?

Above all, you should make an informed decision. Educate yourself ... talk to your doctor. The life-threatening risks associated with Ortho Evra are still being studied. Many healthy women have died from using the patch. Although the patch is clearly more convenient than other forms of birth control, you should seriously consider the risks and the benefits.

If you have any questions or concerns about using the patch or if you have decided to switch to a different method of birth control, you should talk to your healthcare provider.

Is the Ortho Evra patch safe? What are the risks?

Every woman who uses the Ortho Evra patch is exposed to a risk of serious life-threatening side effects. That is a fact. The only issue still in dispute is just how high that risk is. Estrogen can cause blood clots. The patch exposes women to 60% more estrogen than birth control pills. This increased exposure may lead to an increased risk of blood clots and blood clot-related injuries.

The risk of suffering serious Ortho Evra side effects is further increased by cigarette smoking, especially in women who are over 35 years of age.

The patch increases a woman's risk of the following adverse side effects:

  • Thrombophlebitis and venous thrombosis with or without embolism
  • Arterial thromboembolism
  • Pulmonary embolism
  • Myocardial infarction
  • Cerebral hemorrhage
  • Cerebral thrombosis
  • Hypertension
  • Gallbladder disease
  • Hepatic adenomas or benign liver tumors

The most common serious injuries among Ortho Evra users are blood clots and blood clot-related injuries, i.e. pulmonary embolisms, heart attacks, and strokes. These injuries can be debilitating and are often fatal.

Some people are at a higher risk for blood clots and should not use the Ortho Evra patch. For a complete explanation of contraindications and possible side effects, you should talk to your healthcare provider.

For more information, see Ortho Evra Side Effects

Do I have a case?

There are many factors to consider when determining whether or not you have a valid Ortho Evra claim. The basic criteria are obvious - you must have used the Ortho Evra patch and then suffered a personal injury or illness as a result. Beyond that, a knowledgeable attorney needs to look at your individual circumstances to see if you have a valid claim. Every person's case is unique.

We represent people who have been injured by Ortho Evra. If you or someone you know has been seriously injured, i.e. suffered a blood clot, heart attack, or stroke, from using the Ortho Evra patch, contact our offices for a free consultation with one of our pharmaceutical attorneys.

What are my legal rights?

If you have been injured by using the Ortho Evra patch, you may have the right to be compensated for your damages, i.e., the medical expenses, pain and suffering, mental anguish, and lost wages resulting from your injuries.

As with all lawsuits, there are deadlines for filing an Ortho Evra case. If you do not file your claim before the deadline, you could lose your right to sue. You should have your case reviewed by an attorney as soon as possible.

Our law firm represents people who have been injured by Ortho Evra. We are currently prosecuting Ortho Evra cases. If you or someone you know has been seriously injured by using the Ortho Evra patch, please contact our firm and talk to one of our pharmaceutical attorneys. We provide free case evaluations.

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