Birth
control patch risks revisited
By Brittani Bixler
Online Forty-Niner
Contributing Writer
A Federal Drug Administration warning issued early this month against Ortho Evra
is raising questions about the safety of the world’s first and only birth
control patch.
“
I was going to start using the patch this weekend,” said Alison Nguyen
as she sat in the waiting room of the Cal State Long Beach health center. “My
mom read about the warning on the Internet and called me right away to make
sure I didn’t start using it.”
Until this warning was issued Nov. 10, the patch-maker Ortho McNeil, a subsidiary
of the Johnson and Johnson Company, said some risks could be associated with
the patch as well as with the pill. The new label contradicts these statements
and warns women using the patch will be exposed to about 60 percent more estrogen
than those using typical birth control pills, an FDA press release stated. By
being exposed to more hormones, users are at a higher risk for blood clots and
other serious side effects, including stroke, the press release stated.
Alan Manack, the pharmacist in charge of the University Student Health Center
at CSULB, said many women will continue using the patch despite the new warnings.
“Most women like the patch because it gives a different kind of freedom
than the pill and fits their lifestyle,” Manack said.
The Ortho-Evra patch is particularly accommodating to a college student’s
busy schedule because it only needs to be applied once a week, three weeks out
of the month. The patch stays on for seven days and is 99.9 percent effective
against pregnancy.
“
I love the patch,” said Christine Mesa, a junior at CSULB. “It
is so much easier to use than the pill because I just put it on and don’t
have to think about it every day.”
Not all users have such rave reviews and have chosen to post their opinions on
Web sites such as rateitall.com. Others are taking their arguments to higher
officials.
The law firm Parker & Waichman advertises itself as the leader in Ortho Evra
litigation and evaluates possible cases for free on their official Web site,
orthopatchlawsuit.com. The lawfirm’s Web site states reports showed the
deaths of at least 17 young American women over the past two years may be related
to the use of the Ortho Evra patch.
Otho Evra was publicly accused of its first fatality in April 2005 concerning
a Manhattan fashion student who collapsed in a New York City subway station.
An autopsy discovered a blood clot traveled to the victim’s lung. The medical
examiner concluded the clot was a side effect of the birth control patch the
victim used. According to FDA records, 17 patch users between the ages of 17
and 30 have suffered blood clots, possible strokes and fatal heart attacks since
August 2002.
The Associated Press reported Nov. 17 that the parents of Alycia Brown, a 14-year-old
Wisconsin girl, are suing the Johnson and Johnson company for failing to warn
users about the serious side effects of the patch. Brown died May 17, 2004 due
to complications resulting from blood clots after using the patch for six weeks.
She died just hours after returning home from school, where she was having breathing
problems.
The La Crosse County medical examiner ruled the cause of death to be from blood
clots in Brown’s lower pelvis and said Ortho Evra was a likely contributing
factor. The La Crosse teen is the youngest known victim.
“
I had considered looking into Ortho Evra,” said CSULB student Morgan
Cepparo, “but now, after hearing about all the risks involved, I don’t
even think I would consider using it at all.”
Manack said women must remember, “there are risks involved with any hormone
injections, not just the patch.”
“
I don’t understand why some girls have such problems with birth control
pills,” said CSULB senior Lauren Sevilla, “I have been on birth
control since I was 18 and have never had an issue with remembering when to
take my pill. The patch is not even an option.”
While some students may wish to look for contraceptives other than Ortho Evra,
many are weighing the risks and choosing to stick with the patch.
“
I’d rather risk the rare chance of getting a blood clot,” Mesa
said, “than the definite chance of getting pregnant if I skip a pill.”
Students can visit the Student Heath Center and receive free information on the
different birth control devices offered at CSULB, including the patch.
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