LAWSUITS: Contraceptive Skin Patch

Ortho Evra, the Contraceptive Skin Patch, has been linked to strokes and heart attacks. This contraceptive skin patch is the only "Once-A-Week Birth Control Patch", but that is no comfort to those who have suffered a stroke or heart attack while wearing it.

Ever since the FDA approved this hormonal Contraceptive Skin Patch, a controversy has been underway. The patch, which contains higher doses of hormones than the pull, releases hormones through the skin. Thus, in one way, the contraceptive patch works very much like oral contraceptives. But in other ways, its unique risks, it does not.

As a result of these risks, as of November 10, 2005, the US FDA approved a revised labelling on the Ortho Evra Contraceptive Skin Patch. The contraceptive skin patch contains man-made (synthetic) forms of homrones. The contraceptive patch works on the skin by slowly releasing a combination of estrogen and progestin hormones through the skin to prevent conception. In addition to the dangers of stroke and heart attack, the contraceptive skin patch also is known to cause skin irritation at the site where it is applied to the body.