The manufacturer of the Ortho Evra patch may have known for years about the health risks of the product, new reports have revealed. Patient data from 2002 to 2004 showed that women taking Ortho Evra were 12 times more likely to suffer a heart attack and 18 times more likely to suffer a stroke than users of traditional birth control pills. (more…)

A leading consumer advocacy group called on the Food and Drug Administration to ban the Ortho Evra birth control patch in May 2008. Public Citizen states that the patch carries an unreasonable risk of causing blood clots and other side effects due to the increased estrogen dose received by Ortho Evra users. (more…)

A November 2009 study published in the Archives of Internal Medicine has found that a number of side effects linked to the Ortho Evra patch are among the most commonly missed or delayed diagnoses by physicians. A survey of more than 300 physicians found that cases of pulmonary embolism and stroke frequently resulted in diagnostic errors due to mistakes in assessing patients or other factors. (more…)

A new study published in the Archives of Internal Medicine has found that a number of conditions linked to the use of the Ortho Evra patch are commonly overlooked by physicians. A survey of more than 300 physicians found that pulmonary embolisms and strokes were frequently misdiagnosed due to mistakes in assessing patients or other factors. (more…)

The Food and Drug Administration has approved new labeling changes to the Ortho Evra birth control patch intended to warn users about an increased risk of blood clots and other side effects. According to the new warning, women who use the Ortho Evra patch may be more than twice as likely to suffer serious blood clots as women who are using birth control pills. (more…)