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Women who are using the Ortho Evra birth control patch should know about deep vein thrombosis symptoms in the rare case that they develop this rare, but life threatening contraceptive patch complication. In July 2005, a major news source published their own findings indicating Ortho Evra patch use can triple a patient’s risk of experiencing deep vein thrombosis symptoms or other serious side effects. Of the dozens of women using the birth control patch who have developed deep vein thrombosis symptoms, some have died as a result of life threatening complications.
Deep vein thrombosis is a blood clot that develops in the deep veins of the leg, pelvic, or arm. There are several risk factors that increase a person’s risk for developing deep vein thrombosis symptoms, including estrogen treatments like HRT and hormone birth control. The FDA and the medical community have acknowledged and accepted the fact the estrogen drugs, including Ortho Evra, carry the small risk that a person will develop deep vein thrombosis symptoms.
It is known, for example, that the birth control pill carries the risk that one in 200,000 patients will develop a life threatening blood clot. If the recent reports are true, the risk of patch users developing a life threatening blood clot is three in 200,000. By comparison, the risk of developing a potentially fatal blood clot during pregnancy is 20 in 200,000.
When a person develops deep vein thrombosis symptoms, it is important for them to seek medical treatment to avoid the risk of serious complications. Deep vein thrombosis symptoms can include: pain, swelling, tenderness, redness, and the feeling of warmth in the affected leg. The pain that a person may experience typically tends to get worse with standing and/or walking. In some cases, a person may develop deep vein thrombosis symptoms after a prolonged period of immobility (i.e. travel).
Studies have found that using the Ortho Evra birth control patch can cause a woman to develop deep vein thrombosis symptoms independent of other blood clot risk factors. Deep vein thrombosis can lead to a very serious and life threatening condition called pulmonary embolism, when the blood clot breaks away and travels to the lungs.
Many of the birth control patch users who have died were young and healthy women with no history of blood clots or cardiovascular conditions. These victims experienced the rapid onset of deep vein thrombosis symptoms, intense headaches, nausea, vomiting, and vision problems before their untimely deaths.
The exact link between these deaths and the Ortho Evra birth control patch has not been determined. In 2005, the drug’s maker, Ortho McNeil, launched an epidemiological review of the cases of death and serious injury linked to Ortho Evra. If you would like to learn more about deep vein thrombosis symptoms or have experienced illness or injury while taking Ortho Evra, please contact us to speak with a qualified and experienced attorney near you.
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