Ortho Evera Birth Control Patch could lead to blood clots

Michael Johnson

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A recent study shows that women who use the Ortho Evera birth control patch are at twice the risk of developing a blood clot over those who use the pill. This study follows The Associated Press' investigation from last year and found that women who use the patch have an increased rate of blood clots.

A representative of the, FDA Dr. Daniel Shames, stated that these results are "The results are preliminary and further evaluation is necessary to understand what these results mean,". Over 4 million women have purchased the patch since it has been available to the public in 2002.
These clots have could lead to serious injuries and complications including amputation, stroke, and heart attacks in the users of the patch.

Additions to the patch label made in November warned women that they would be exposed to about 60 percent more estrogen than those who use birth-control pills.

The investigation by The Associated Press found that patch users die and suffer blood clots at a rate three times higher than women taking the pill. About a dozen women died in 2004 from blood clots believed linked to use of the patch, the AP reported. Dozens more suffered strokes and other clot-linked problems.

CNN has the full story.