Birth Control Patch Ortho-Evra Linked to Blood Clots — Advocacy Group Wants It Banned

All hormonal birth control comes with some risk of side effects, but birth control patch Ortho-Evra, manufactured by Johnson & Johnson (whose Melt Away Stress product line I recently reviewed), is coming under public scrutiny because of its apparent connection to potentially deadly blood clots in users.

A recent Reuters article sheds some light in exactly what the problem is:

In a petition filed with the FDA on Thursday, Public Citizen’s Health Research Group said the amount of estrogen released from the Ortho-Evra patch varies widely among individual women, and those who absorb too much were at greater risk for blood clots and other painful side effects.

“The considerable safety concern of high-dose, variable estrogen exposure tips the balance of risks and benefits against the availability of Ortho-Evra as a contraceptive,” wrote Sidney Wolfe, head of the research group.

Ortho-Evra has seen its use slip in the wake of such data, which led to warnings on the patch’s label as recently as January, when a study of women ages 15 to 44 found blood clots known as venous thromboembolisms were about twice as likely in women using the patch versus birth control pills.

The FDA at the time said the patch was safe and effective when used as directed and urged patients to talk to their doctors about the risk.

Estrogen used in contraceptives has long been known to increase the risk of blood clots, which can trigger heart attacks or strokes. Women who use Ortho Evra can be exposed to about 60 percent more estrogen than pill users.

“If Ortho-Evra had been designed as a pill, it is unlikely to have been approved because of its increased estrogen content,” Wolfe said.

Did you see that last line? Let me repeat it: “If Ortho-Evra had been designed as a pill, it is unlikely to have been approved because of its increased estrogen content.” I have to be honest — that’s alarming.

The major benefit of the patch is that it’s birth control you only have to think about once a week. But if it carries much higher risk (in addition to being visible since you apply it to your skin), is the convenience really worth it? What do you think? Leave a comment.

(hat tip: Eliza at Babylune)

Contents © Copyright 2008 Kristen King

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