Claris Law Legal Blogging Community

Editor: Robert Blanchard
Profession: Attorney at Law

Category: Ortho Evra Warnings

Doctors are suggesting that the risk of stroke may be 300% higher with the Ortho Evra Birth Control Patch. These increased risk factors in women using the stroke may be exacerbated by certain genetic traits such as an imbalance of "Factor 5" or "Factor 8" the clotting factors found in human blood. One such mutation is known as the "Factor 5 Leiden Mutation" which affects between 2-5% of the United States population and is relatively simple to diagnose.

Other risk factors making one susceptible to increased likelihood of injury resulting from the use of the patch include an imbalance of the proteins which counteract the clotting factors mentioned below, proteins "C" and "S." One in 20 persons in the US may have one of these genetic conditions, and 1 in 200 may have both, resulting in up to a 50 times higher risk of injury resulting from clotting problems.

While Ortho McNeil warned of health risks "similar" to those found in commonly available oral contraceptives, the risks are proving to be significantly higher - an estimated 200% to 300% higher.