Ortho Evra is a transdermal contraceptive patch manufactured by Johnson &
Johnson that is available by prescription. The patch releases estrogen, which
promotes blood coagulation. The FDA found that women on the patch had as much
as 60% more estrogen in their bloodstream than women who were on the pill. A
possible side effect of using Ortho Evra is thrombosis, or the formation of
blood clots in the blood vessels. Blood clots are especially dangerous if they
occur in the legs, lungs, heart, or brain.
Studies have shown that women using Ortho Evra may be twice as likely to
experience nonfatal thrombosis than women who use oral contraceptives.
Additional studies show that women who use Ortho Evra are up to three times as
likely to experience fatal thrombosis.
