The consumer group, Public Citizen, nonprofit consumer advocacy organization, has asked Congress to pull Johnson & Johnson's birth control patch, Ortho-Evra, off the market because it poses significant health risks to women.

Too much estrogen?

The consumer group says that Johnson & Johnson's birth control patch, which is worn for three weeks straight, then not worn for a week, delivers 60 percent more estrogen than traditional birth control pills – which significantly increases a woman's risk of developing blood clots that may result in a heart attack or stroke. It points to studies that show women using the Ortho-Evra patch were twice as likely to develop blood clots.

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Although Johnson & Johnson maintains that the patch is safe if used as directed, the following warning appears on the drug's website (www.orthoevra.com):

Hormones from ORTHO EVRA get into the blood stream and are processed by the body differently than hormones from birth control pills. You will be exposed to about 60% more estrogen if you use ORTHO EVRA than if you use a typical birth control pill containing 35 micrograms of estrogen. In general, increased estrogen may increase the risk of side effects. The risk of venous thromboembolic events (blood clots in the legs and/or the lungs) may be increased with ORTHO EVRA use compared with use of birth control pills.

Studies examined the risk of these serious blood clots in women who used either ORTHO EVRA or birth control pills containing one of two progestins (levonorgestrel or norgestimate) and 30–35 micrograms of estrogen. Results of these studies ranged from an approximate doubling of risk of serious blood clots to no increase in risk in women using ORTHO EVRA compared to women using birth control pills.

Sales of the patch have decreased significantly in the past few years due to damaging studies and the U.S. FDA’s (Food and Drug Administration) enhanced labeling requirement that tell users of the patch's potential dangers and clarifies that the patch must be used exactly as directed to avoid injury.

If you believe that you've been injured due to Ortho-Evra, contact an attorney to discuss your situation. Consultations are strictly confidential, without obligation and free of charge. To contact a qualified attorney whose practice focuses in this area of law, please click here.

Suffered harm from Ortho Evra? You may have a lawsuit. Click here, for a top rated law firm to evaluate your legal rights. [Sponsored link]