How to prevent blood clots - re Ortho Evra

A recent study found that newer third generation birth control pills double your risk of contracting a potentially fatal blood clot compared to older birth control pills. The group that conducted the study called Public Citizens, stated their facts today to the FDA in hopes that newer birth control pills that contain synthetic progestin desogestrel will be removed from the market immediately.

Dr. Sidney Wolfe, director of Public Citizen's Health Research Group, told HealthDay News, “"While the use of any type of combined oral contraceptive holds an increased risk of venous thrombosis (blood clots), third-generation birth-control pills double that risk without preventing pregnancy any more effectively than older pills do. Worse, the FDA has known since 1995 that these oral contraceptives were more dangerous but has allowed them to stay on the market for 12 years.”

Although the newer birth control that poses the risk does have a more severe warning label, few actually read and take the warnings seriously. Blood clots typically form in the legs, and then travel elsewhere throughout your body, causing a blockage of blood flow that could cause serious harm or death.

According to HealthDay, the Public Citizens petition stated “The FDA must ensure the well-being and safety of women in the U.S. and ban third-generation oral contraceptives containing desogestrel," the Public Citizen petition stated. Women should discuss with their doctors alternative methods of birth control, such as the second-generation oral contraceptives, and how to safely switch contraceptive methods."

The newer pills are more popular because users experience fewer side affects. Along with their petition to the FDA, the Public Citizens also have a informative video on youtube which talks about the many things you need to know about birth control.

Author: Cary Byrd

Ortho Evra Side Effects

Since the Ortho Evra patch was approved in 2001, there has been some concern over serious Ortho Evra side effects. The Ortho Evra birth control patch was prescribed to over two million women in 2004 alone, according to its manufacturer Ortho-McNeil. The most serious Ortho Evra side effects to raise concern in medical communities across the nation is news that the patch increases a woman''s risk of developing a blood clot.

In 2005, a media source publicized the conclusions from an Ortho Evra side effects study they conducted independent of medical experts. This news group analyzed FDA data about Ortho Evra side effects reports to conclude that the birth control patch triples a woman''s risk of developing a fatal blood clot. This group calculated that the risk of death from a birth control patch side effect blood clot was three per 200,000 women. The risk of fatal blood clot from the oral birth control pill comparatively is one death in 200,000 women.

Concern about this potentially deadly Ortho Evra side effects continues to be fueled by recent reports of deaths linked to use of this medication. The birth control patch has been blamed for the deaths of 23 women, including 17 women who died as result of blood clot complications. Many of these alleged victims of fatal Ortho Evra side effects complications were young and healthy women with no history of blood clots or other cardiovascular conditions.

In these young healthy women who died as a result of Ortho Evra side effects, many developed a rapid onset of symptoms before falling deathly ill. These Ortho Evra side effects symptoms included:

* severe headache
* vision problems
* vomiting
* and nausea.

The patient package insert from Ortho-McNeil states that a number of birth control patch side effects can occur with use of this medication. Many of these potential side effects are shared by all hormonal birth control methods. The possible Ortho Evra side effects risks include: breast changes, headaches, nausea, menstrual changes, vaginal discharge, and abdominal cramps and bloating.

Ortho-McNeil and other medical experts have claimed that the Ortho Evra side effects study distorts the facts and misleads the public into believing unproven statements. Of the 13,000 clinical trial participants in 103 studies, not a single woman has suffered a birth control patch side effect that resulted in blood clot or fatality. These pundits refute the argument that Ortho Evra side effects risks can lead to life-threatening blood clots and other cardiovascular injury.

ORTHO EVRA F.A.Q.

Here is what official ORTHO EVRA F.A.Q. says:

Are there any risks associated with ORTHO EVRA?

Serious as well as minor side effects have been reported with the use of the Patch. Serious risks, which can be life threatening, include blood clots, stroke and heart attacks and are increased if you smoke cigarettes. Cigarette smoking increases the risk of serious cardiovascular side effects, especially if you are over 35. Women who use the Patch are strongly advised not to smoke.

Some women should not use the Patch, including women who have blood clots, certain cancers, a history of heart attack or stroke, as well as those who are or may be pregnant.

Hormones from patches applied to the skin get into the blood stream and are removed from the body differently than hormones from birth control pills taken by mouth. You will be exposed to about 60% more estrogen if you use ORTHO EVRA than if you use a typical birth control pill containing 35 micrograms (mcg) of estrogen.

In general, increased estrogen exposure may increase the risk of side effects. The risk of venous thromboembolic disease (blood clots in the legs and/or the lungs) may be increased with ORTHO EVRA compared with that of a birth control pill containing norgestimate and 35 mcg of estrogen. One study found a doubling of this risk and another study found no increased risk.

You should discuss with your healthcare professional whether ORTHO EVRA is a good method of contraception for you. The Patch does not protect against HIV or sexually transmitted diseases.