Ortho Evra, a transdermal patch, is a form of birth control that contains estrogen and progestin and offers an alternative to birth control pills. The majority of effects from this skin patch are believed to be a function of increased exposure to estrogen. Also, several health warnings are specified, for example, one should not take this medication during pregnancy or following a recent delivery. Additionally, this patch should not be prescribed to individuals with a medical history of the following: circulatory conditions such as a stroke or blood clots, cardiac and liver disease or hormone-related cancers.
Common Side Effects
Frequent side effects from this medication may include local skin irritation from the patch, abdominal pain or menstrual cramping, and breast tenderness. Other effects that have been reported are nausea and vomiting, headaches and mood swings as well as weight changes and upper respiratory infections.
Serious Side Effects
In addition to the common side effects that are frequently experienced, other side effects associated with Ortho Evra can manifest that are serious and require immediate medical care. Included in these side effects is a sudden weakness or numbness typically affecting one side of the body, migraine headaches or changes in the quality of migraines, jaundice and a risk of blood clots. Another effect that may be experienced is chest pain with the spreading sensation of heaviness to a shoulder or arm. Additionally, confusion may present with speech, vision or coordination problems as well as depressive symptoms.
Potential Fatal Effects
Since its release in 2001, there has been controversy about the safety of the Ortho Evra patch, which, according to Online Lawyer Source, has been fueled by the finding that the patch releases nearly 60 percent more estrogen than the average pill form. Furthermore, Ortho Evra has been suspected as having a role in the deaths of 23 women; that is, these women experienced severe blood clots that have been identified as the originator for 18 of the 23 deaths. Subsequently, the FDA updated the warning label to include such risks associated with high levels of estrogen.
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