Birth Control Patch Ortho Evra May Double the Risk of Side Effects

March 18th, 2006

Women using the once-a-week Ortho Evra birth-control patch have double the risk of developing blood clots in legs or lungs compared to women on the birth-control pill. This preliminary finding was based on the second of two recent studies. The first study found no increased risk of clots. However, a second study suggested the increased risk might be two-fold. More than 4 million women have used the patch since it entered the market in 2002. In 2004, about 12 women died of blood clots believed to be linked to the patch.

Continuing studies are assessing the risk of heart attacks and strokes among users of patch or pill. It will take 18 more months to find if a significant difference occurs, predicts Dr. Daniel Shames. He is the director of the division overseeing reproductive and urological drug products at the F.D.A.

One should always examine the numbers involved when assessing risks. In women not using a contraceptive, the risk of a nonfatal blood clot is about one per year in 10,000 women. For those on the patch or pill, the risk rises to 3 to 5 per 10,000 women, Dr. Shames estimates. Pharmaceutical company Ortho asserts that blood clots remains rare and that all hormonal contraceptives carry potential risk of clots or other serious side effects.

The label on the patch was amended in November, warning that women using this product are exposed to about 60 percent more estrogen than those on birth-control pills. Health officials advise women who smoke not to use the patch, as smoking increases the risk of stroke and heart attack.

New York Times (AP Wire Story) 2/18/06 

Entry Filed under: BIRTH CONTROL,Birth Control,WOMEN'S HEALTHCARE