Another Warning for Ortho Evra Users

By Andrew Weatherford

Published on February 04, 2008

Results from a recent study show that women who use the Ortho Evra patch instead of birth control pills may be doubling their risk of developing blood clots known as venous thromboembolisms.

Since 2006, Ortho Evra labels have included a warning based on results from an earlier study that came to the same conclusions. These findings also indicated that women who use the patch instead of birth control pills could be twice as likely to develop blood clots. The new Ortho Eva labeling will include a warning that references the results from both studies.

Women who use the Ortho Eva patch are exposed to a considerably larger amount of estrogen than women who use oral contraceptives. The estrogen that is used in contraceptives has been linked to an increased risk of blood clots, which can cause strokes or heart attacks.

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