ORTHO EVRA®

Ortho Evra® is the first transdermal (skin) patch approved for birth control. The weekly prescription patch releases norelgestromin (a progestin hormone), and ethinyl estradiol (an estrogen hormone), through the skin into the blood stream to prevent pregnancy. The FDA approved Ortho Evra®, manufactured by Ortho McNeil, a subsidiary of Johnson & Johnson, in November 2001.

In November 2005, Ortho McNeil issued a warning to millions of women revealing that the patch exposes them to significant amounts of estrogen and may put them at greater risk of developing blood clots.

Approximately 4 million women have used the Ortho Evra® Patch since it went on sale in 2002. As of November 2005, the FDA had received twenty-one reports of life-threatening blood clots and other ailments associated with the use of Ortho Evra®. FDA records obtained by the Associated Press showed that seventeen patch users between the ages of 17 and 30 suffered fatal heart attacks, blood clots and possible strokes since August 2002.

If you or a loved one have used the Ortho Evra® patch and have suffered a heart attack, blood clot, stroke, death or other serious disorder, please contact one of our lawyers today, to assess any potential claim and possible lawsuit.