Transdermal patches were introduced in the 1990s initially for birth control, as a treatment for angina or heart failure, and for smoking cessation. Today, drug patches have branched out to other approved therapies including neurology, pain management and urology and some, like the nicotine patch, are now available over the counter as well.

Patches offer an alternative delivery system that may benefit some consumers. For example, the Ortho Evra birth control patch is marketed to younger women who would rather wear the patch that is changed weekly instead of taking a daily pill. However the delivery system of some patches have raised serious questions about their safety.

In January, we told you about Johnson & Johnson recalling its Duragesic fentanyl pain patch – the fifth recall of the pain patches since 1994 – because it leaked too much medicine into the bloodstream, making it highly addictive and resulting in deaths. The same company’s birth control patch, Ortho Evra, has also been blamed for leaking too much medicine into the bloodstream leading to pulmonary embolisms and strokes. The company already has settled several lawsuits charging that its Ortho Evra birth control patch has caused serious harm and even death.

Pharma Live says the demand for prescription drug patches is on the rise, especially among the elderly who may forget to take medications and may benefit from the patch system. Let’s hope the serious injuries caused by such patches don’t rise as well.

SOURCE: Ortho Evra and Blood Clots › More drug patches expected to hit market, but are they safe?

Johnson & Johnson

The Ortho Evra patch was originally marketing to young women who were turned off by the notion of taking a once-daily pill for contraception. The patch is replaced after a week. However, the patch was found in some cases to seep too much estrogen into the bloodstream, which can cause serious health problems.

As an emerging pattern of young women suffering from pulmonary embolisms and strokes emerged, health experts began to point fingers at Johnson & Johnson. Despite the settlements in both the U.S. and Canada, the patch is still on the market and doctors are still prescribing it.

Ortho Evra was first approved for marketing and sale in Canada in 2002. Since then, at least 16 cases of blood clots and one heart attack among women who were using the patch have been reported. Two patients died, including a 16-year-old girl, according to Health Canada.

The Canadian lawsuits involve 22 women from Ontario, British Columbia and Quebec; however, anyone else with a valid claim can still come forward and be included in the settlement. The Canadian plaintiffs sought C$400,00 each in compensation and C$20 million in punitive damages.

The lawsuit claims that Johnson & Johnson failed to properly warn patients and doctors that its Ortho Evra contraceptive patch has a higher risk of blood clots, strokes and heart attacks compared to the birth control pill.

An Ontario judge will be asked to end the suit at a hearing March 23.

SOURCE: Ortho Evra and Blood Clots › J&J settles lawsuits with Canadian women harmed by birth control patch

However, students may want to weigh their contraception options more closely. Johnson & Johnson, the makers of the Ortho Evra contraceptive patch has been riddled with lawsuits claiming the patches cause serious side effects in young women, such as blood clots and even death. The patches reportedly can leak too much estrogen into the bloodstream causing the serious health problems.

According to reports, several lawsuits against the company have already ended with confidential settlements and Johnson & Johnson has already told plaintiffs attorneys that it is ready to work out settlements with the others it faces.

The Ortho Evra patch was originally marketed to women seeking an alternative to the once-daily birth control pill. However, since its debut there has been an emerging pattern of young women suffering from pulmonary embolisms and strokes.

Johnson & Johnson no longer actively markets the patch, but it is still available and has yet to be pulled from the market despite petitions by consumer group Public Citizen to the FDA to remove the product. The group also claims removal of the patch would have an environmental benefit, as the discarded patches could leak contaminants into the environment after they are disposed of by consumers.

SOURCE: Ortho Evra and Blood Clots › TCU students urged to heed contraception patch warnings

This is the fifth recall of Duragesic fentanyl patch since 1994. Patches have caused much pain for Johnson & Johnson. Last year, the company paid $68 million to settle lawsuits against the company’s birth control patch, Ortho Evra. The patch was linked to at least 40 deaths caused by blood clots.

Ortho Evra was originally marketed to women seeking an alternative to a one-daily birth control pill. The patch system was designed to deliver the same level of estrogen as the birth control pill, but its delivery system was different. Pills are taken orally and are processed through the liver before reaching the blood stream. The medication on the patch is applied directly to the skin and is not diffused by the body before reaching the blood stream. In contrast to the birth control pill, the patch delivers 60 percent more estrogen to the patch-wearer’s blood system. And that, according to the numerous lawsuits filed, is where the problems begin.

Despite an emerging pattern of young women suffering from pulmonary embolisms and strokes, Johnson & Johnson continued to market the patch, running advertisements that at times did not include warnings of serious, life-threatening side effects.

While Johnson & Johnson no longer markets Ortho Evra, the birth control patch is still available and has yet to be pulled from the market.

SOURCE: Ortho Evra and Blood Clots › Another J&J patch causing deaths in users

Currently there is litigation pending throughout the United States, including in Chicago, relating to the use of the Ortho Evra patch. Plaintiffs have filed claims after suffering from blood clots, pulmonary embolisms and in some cases death. The side effects of the patch can be very serious and even deadly.

If you or someone you know developed blood clots while being on the Ortho Evra patch, contact an attorney immediately to learn your legal rights. You may be able to file a claim against the manufacturer for the injuries suffered.

January 31st, 2008 by Gary MaCallister with injuryboard.com

SOURCE: Ortho Evra and Blood Clots › Ortho Evra birth control patch label change