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More Ortho Evra® News
Ortho Evra® is under scrutiny again as Health Canada says the birth control patch could increase the risk of blood clots.
The Ortho Evra® patch safety warning was issued after studies indicated that while Ortho Evra® in the U.S. and Canada had different levels of ethinyl estradiol, both were observed to produce similar levels of total estrogen exposure.
Health Canada believes Ortho Evra® could significantly increase the risk of blood clots in the legs and lungs of women when compared to other women who use oral contraceptives.
Canadian researchers also noted that the risk of blood clots was extremely high in obese women who use the Ortho Evra® birth control patch.
Health Canada Ortho Evra® guidelines were provided to Canadian doctors, nurses and pharmacists that noted the symptoms of a blood clot were varied but include calf pain, chest pain, shortness of breath, and coughing blood.
Health Canada spokesperson Alastair Sinclair said "We're taking the precaution of giving people an additional heads-up that there's a risk of blood clots with the product" and added that exposing Ortho Evra® to heat sources such as a sauna or hot tub was not recommended.
Ortho Evra® in Canada has had over 78 reports of side-effects including 14 blood clots and one heart attack.
Reference:
"Birth Control Patch: Health Risk Warning Issued by Health Canada," earthtimes.org, Brian Holmes, November 2006.
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