Some of the most serious and potentially deadly risks related to Ortho Evra are related to the drug estrogen, which has the effect of promoting blood coagulation. As a result, there is a high risk of blood clots. Blood clots generally begin in the leg and can be extremely dangerous if they travel to the heart, lung, or brain. Stroke, heart attack, or death may result. Although a problem may present itself in many different ways, there are some critical signs that a woman should watch for.

Indicators of a Serious Problem Requiring Immediate Medical Attention

• Crushing chest pain or tightness of chest - signs of a heart attack
• Sharp chest pain, coughing of blood, sudden shortness of breath - signs of a blood clot in lung
• Sudden severe headache or vomiting, dizziness or fainting, disturbances in vision or speech, weakness or numbness in an arm or leg - signs of a stroke
• Sudden partial or complete loss of vision - signs of a blood clot in the eye

Unfortunately, by the time a woman experiences any of the side effects it indicates that a serious problem may already exist. Ortho Evra patch users should not wait until they see these effects before speaking to their doctor. In fact, the FDA recommends that women speak with a healthcare professional to determine whether the Ortho Evra birth control patch is a good method of contraception for them.

Some public organizations and some doctors are informing women that they should not be using the patch. Public Citizen, a consumer watchdog group, says there is no medical reason for women to use the more dangerous Ortho Evra rather than older, better understood, and equally effective oral contraceptives.

Any woman using Ortho Evra should work closely with her doctor and monitor her health if a safer alternative is not available.