Ortho Evra

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Ortho Evra is a transdermal contraceptive patch manufactured by Johnson & Johnson that is available by prescription. The patch releases estrogen, which promotes blood coagulation. The FDA found that women on the patch had as much as 60% more estrogen in their bloodstream than women who were on the pill. A possible side effect of using Ortho Evra is thrombosis, or the formation of blood clots in the blood vessels. Blood clots are especially dangerous if they occur in the legs, lungs, heart, or brain.

Studies have shown that women using Ortho Evra may be twice as likely to experience nonfatal thrombosis than women who use oral contraceptives. Additional studies show that women who use Ortho Evra are up to three times as likely to experience fatal thrombosis.