Ortho Evra
Ortho Evra and Strokes
According to data published by the Food and Drug Administration in 2005, several women died and dozens more survived strokes that resulted from using the Ortho Evra birth control patch. Perhaps even more serious was evidence that the Ortho Evra patch created a much greater risk of stroke than is found among users of birth control pills.
Reports estimate that the number of strokes resulting from use of the Ortho Evra birth control patch is four times that resulting from use of birth control pills.
The cause of strokes
Strokes occur when there is an interruption of the flow of blood to part of the brain. Between 85% and 90% of strokes are ischemic strokes, which occur when blood vessels become blocked and blood flow to part of the brain is interrupted. Ischemic strokes can occur when a clot forms in the blood vessels of the brain or when a clot from elsewhere in the body becomes loose and lodges in a cerebral blood vessel.
Strokes can also be caused when blood flow to the entire body is disrupted—such as by heart attack or bleeding—or by a hemorrhage, bleeding directly into the brain tissue.
Many of the strokes that occur because of Ortho Evra side effects are caused by deep vein thrombosis, which produces blood clots in the veins deep inside the leg. When these clots become loose, they can travel to the brain, interrupting blood flow and leading to a stroke.
If you feel you have suffered a stroke or another serious birth control patch side effect after using the Ortho Evra patch, contact a birth control patch attorney to learn more about filing an Ortho Evra lawsuit.
