Blood Clots and Symptoms

The Ortho Evra birth control patch, created and manufactured by Ortho-McNeil (a Johnson & Johnson company), has been linked to an increased risk of potentially fatal blood clots associated with a high concentration of estrogen absorbed by women who use the patch.

What is a blood clot?

Blood clots normally form in order to stop bleeding after the body suffers an injury. These blood clots consist of a cluster of platelets- blood cells that repair damaged blood vessels- combined in a mesh of fibrin and red blood cells. There are different causes and types of blood clots, however, and some clots tend to be more problematic than others. Estrogen, for instance, stimulates the blood's ability to coagulate- it essentially causes the blood to thicken and become more likely to clot.

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In November 2005, the FDA warned the public that the Ortho Evra contraceptive patch exposes its users to 60% more estrogen than the typical birth control pill containing norgestimate and 35 micrograms of estrogen. On September 20, 2006, the FDA updated the warning, announcing that use of Ortho Evra may create twice the risk of blood clots than the pill. The potentially fatal forms of blood clots that have been linked to Ortho Evra are deep vein thrombosi (DVT), pulmonary emboli, and thrombotic strokes.

What is a deep vein thrombosis (DVT)?

A DVT is a blood clot that forms in a deep vein, most often in the lower leg. Because the body is usually able to break down most small blood clots, the majority of DVTs that occur are not life threatening and display few, if any, symptoms. Larger clots, however, are capable of completely blocking the blood flow through the vein. Additionally, a DVT may dislodge and cause a more severe blockage elsewhere in the body.

Symptoms of a DVT include pain, swelling, tenderness, warmth, and redness in one leg. The potential complications associated with a DVT include pulmonary emboli and post thrombotic syndrome. Post thrombotic syndrome may occur if a DVT damages valves in a vein of a leg, which then causes the blood to pool in the lower leg and may cause ulcers on the leg along with other medical complications.

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What is a pulmonary embolism?

A Pulmonary embolism is a condition that occurs in a pulmonary artery or vein- components of the vascular system that transport deoxygenated blood from the heart to the lungs. Clots that form in a vein elsewhere in the body may dislodge and travel through the bloodstream. If the clot reaches the heart, it may then enter the pulmonary system and block blood flow. This results in a pulmonary embolism.

Common symptoms of a pulmonary embolism include shortness of breath, chest pain that mimics a heart attack, a bloody cough, excessive sweating, rapid heartbeat, lightheadedness, wheezing, paleness of skin, swollen legs and a weak pulse.

One-third of people with an untreated pulmonary embolism do not survive the condition. Unfortunately, even if a pulmonary embolism is promptly treated, the patient will be at an increased risk of developing subsequent pulmonary emboli. A person who suffers a pulmonary embolism is also at risk for pulmonary hypertension and the heart condition cor pulmonale.

Pulmonary hypertension refers to high blood pressure in one's lungs. It may occur when a pulmonary embolism blocks the flow of blood vessels in the lungs for an extended period of time, thereby forcing the heart to over-exert itself. Fortunately, the condition can be reversed if the pulmonary embolism is treated promptly. Common symptoms of pulmonary hypertension include shortness of breath and general fatigue, dizziness, swollen legs, and chest pain or pressure.

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Cor pulmonale is a condition in which the right ventricle of the heart becomes enlarged due to a blockage of blood flow through the lungs. When a blood clot occurs in the lungs, the heart must work harder to push blood through the arteries and veins that run through the lungs. The conditon causes the muscles of the heart's right ventricular wall to fail and may occur within minutes after the formation of a pulmonary emobolism.

What is a thrombotic stroke?

A thrombotic stroke occurs when an artery that carries the blood supply to the brain becomes blocked by a blood clot. Because the blood's supply of oxygen becomes unavailable to part of the brain when a clot occurs, nerve cells located in the brain become damaged and may die in a matter of hours. Death of nerve cells results in impairment of neurological functions that often affect muscle contractions, cognition, motor skills, memory, and speech.

Symptoms of a stroke include a severe headache, seizures, and numbness, weakness, or paralysis of the face, arm or leg of one side of the body. Vision problems, such as double vision or loss of vision in one or both eyes may occur, as well as confusion, slurred speech, dizziness, and loss of balance and coordination.

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Since Ortho Evra was approved in 2001, numerous lawsuits have been filed alleging that women have died or have suffered substantial physical injuries while using the patch.

If you or a relative have suffered severe side effects, such as a blood clot, while using the Ortho Evra birth control patch and would like to speak to a professional regarding your rights, please fill out this short form and a member of Seeger Weiss's experienced legal staff will contact you. Initial consultations are free of charge and do not create an attorney-client relationship. Seeger Weiss has offices located in both New York and New Jersey and its attorneys are available to practice in courts throughout the country.