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Ortho Evra

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Understanding the Problem

On November 10, 2005, the FDA issued a warning stating that the Ortho Evra birth control patch contains higher levels of estrogen known to cause an increased risk of blood clots than average birth control pills. As a result, Ortho Evras was changed to reflect that women using the patch are exposed to 60 percent more estrogen than those who use a typical pill.

Since the arrival of the Ortho Evra birth control patch to the market in 2002, the FDA has received twenty-one reports of life-threatening blood clots and other ailments associated with the contraceptive patch. The birth control patch been linked to the deaths of at lease seventeen young American women who suffered heart attacks, blood clots and possible strokes over the past two years. Ortho McNeil, a subsidiary of Johnson & Johnson and the manufacturer of Ortho Evra, has aggressively marketed the birth control patch as a convenient alternative to oral birth control pills. Approximately 4 million women have used the Ortho Evra Birth Control Patch since it entered the market.

Side Effects

Women who have used the Ortho Evra Birth-Control Patch are at risk for these conditions.

  • Pulmonary embolisms
  • Deep vein thromboses (DVTs)
  • Heart attacks
  • Ishemic strokes
  • Blood clots
  • Gallbladder Disease
  • Liver Tumor
  • Breast/Reproductive Cancer
  • Skin Irritation
  • Vaginal Bleeding
  • Elevated Blood Pressure
  • Melasma

More on Injuries and Symptoms

Side effects of the patch are similar to other hormone contraceptives such as the pill. When starting the patch, some women may experience slight weight gain, although this depends entirely on the individual. Some experience no weight gain at all, while those who are already obese or overweight may continue to gain weight.

Some women also notice changes in the intensity of sexual desire, vaginal discharge and menstrual flow. Some other common side effects are: nausea; headaches; depression; vaginitis; urinary tract infection; breast changes; skin problems; and gum inflammation.

There is an ongoing debate over whether contraceptive patches are more likely to cause deep-vein thrombosis, or deep vein blood clots, than the pill due to the deaths of some young women recently in the United States.

What should you do?

First, see your doctor if you have any symptoms, side effects or concerns.

Second, if you have suffered any of the side effects above, please call us for a free case evaluation. You can call Tim Edwards or Ed Wallis at (901) 527-2125, or call (901) 275-0600 on nights and weekends. You can also SEND US AN E-MAIL.

Third, you can read our Frequently Asked Questions page.

For More Information

Tim Edwards
Ed Wallis
Glassman, Edwards, Wade & Wyatt, P.C.
26 N. 2nd Street
Memphis, TN 38103
Telephone: (901) 527-4673
E-Mail: CLICK HERE

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The authors practice across the State of Tennessee and associate with attorneys across the nation to help achieve justice for our clients.  Although not limited to these areas, the authors, Tim Edwards and Ed Wallis, do practice in the Mid South and Metropolitan Memphis area, an area encompassing Western Tennessee, Eastern Arkansas and Northern Mississippi. Some cities covered in our wide range of practice include Memphis (TN), Cordova (TN), Bartlett (TN), Collerville (TN), Millington (TN), Covington (TN), Somerville (TN), Ripley (TN), Dyersburg (TN), Tiptonville (TN), Union City (TN), Dresden (TN), Humboldt (TN), Milan (TN), Trenton (TN), Alamo (TN), Brownsville (TN), Jackson (TN), Bolivar (TN), Henderson (TN), Lexington (TN), Selmer (TN), Savannah (TN), Parsons (TN), McKenzie (TN), Huntingdon (TN), Paris (TN), West Memphis (AR), Marion (AR), Southhaven (MS), Olive Branch (MS), Hernando (MS), Horn Lake (MS), and Senatobia (MS). This also includes the following counties: SHelby (TN), Tipton (TN), Lauderdale (TN), Dyer (TN), Lake (TN), Obion (TN), Gibson (TN) Crockett (TN), Haywood (TN), Fayette (TN), Hardeman (TN), Madison (TN) Henderson (TN), Carroll (TN), HHenry (TN), Benton (TN), Chester (TN), Decatur (TN), McNairy (TN), Hardin (TN) Perry (TN), Tunica (MS), Desoto (MS), Tate (MS), Marshall (MS), Lafayette (MS), Crittendon (AR), Mississippi (AR), Poinsett (AR), Craighead (AR), Cross (AR), St. Francis (AR), Lee (AR), Phillips (AR).

The authors also accept free case evaluations to persons across the state of Tennessee, including Nashville, Franklin, Brentwood, Knoxville, Chattanooga, Johnson City, Bristol, Kingsport, Lebanon, Clarksville and beyond.

Even if you live outside the State of Tennessee and Mid South, we may still be able to help, so please contact us today, as our attorneys are licensed in numerous state courts and federal courts, and can still by associating with counsel across the country to help you with your needs.