History of Ortho Evra Risks and Event Timeline

Higher Estrogen Levels Increase Blood Clot Risk

Ortho Evra was introduced to the public in 2001 as the first transdermal (skin) patch approved for birth control. The weekly prescription releases the hormones progestin and estrogen through the skin into the blood stream to prevent pregnancy. In 2005, Ortho McNeil, the patch's maker and a subsidiary of Johnson & Johnson, issued a warning to the millions of women using Ortho Evra, revealing that the patch exposes them to significant amounts of estrogen and may place them at risk of developing blood clots. When compared with estrogen levels in most oral contraceptives, Ortho Evra has up to 60% more estrogen entering the blood stream.

Many otherwise healthy young women of childbearing age have reported blood clots, pulmonary embolisms (a blood clot in the lungs), strokes, heart attacks and related complications while using Ortho Evra.

Ortho Evra Birth Control Patch Lawsuits Mounting

More than four million women have used the Ortho Evra birth control patch since its FDA approval in 2001. Hundreds of women using the patch have reported serious side effects, including blood clot, heart attack, pulmonary embolism, stroke and more. There have been a number of deaths associated with these reports and more than 100 lawsuits have been filed against the maker of Ortho Evra, Ortho McNeil (a Johnson & Johnson company).

These lawsuits allege that company negligently marketed Ortho Evra as a safe, effective, convenient alternative to the popular pill form of birth control when the actual risks were much higher. It has also been suggested that the science behind the studies which demonstrated the "safety" of the patch was manipulated and unreliable.

Our attorneys are investigating reports of adverse effects associated with the Ortho Evra birth control patch manufactured by Ortho McNeil, a subsidiary of Johnson & Johnson. If you or someone close to you has experienced serious side effects or were hospitalized while taking Ortho Evra, we encourage you to contact us for a free case evaluation. Just complete the information below, and one of our experienced attorneys will offer a complementary assessment of your case.

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Did effects from Ortho Evra® include:

Blood Clots			Heart Attacks
Strokes			Death
Pulmonary Embolisms			Bruising/Scarring