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More Ortho Evra® News
One January 27, 2006, a lawsuit was filed against Ortho McNeil Pharmaceuticals, on behalf of a woman who suffered bilateral pulmonary emboli in December of 2003 at the age of 31, after using the Ortho Evra® patch for 15 days.
The Ortho Evra® victim began using the patch on December 15, 2003, and began experiencing severe chest pain and shortness of breath. On December 30, 2003, after her symptoms got worse, she was rushed to the emergency room. Diagnostic tests revealed bilateral pulmonary emboli and the victim was admitted to the hospital for Heparin and Coumadin therapy. The plaintiff has undergone prolonged treatment, which may be necessary for the rest of her life. The lawsuit was filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey.
Ortho Evra® is linked to pulmonary embolisms which are a type of thromboebolism that occurs when an artery in the lungs becomes blocked. Typically, the blockage is caused by one or more blood clots that travel to the lungs from another part of the body. In most cases these clots come from the legs, but may also form in the pelvic vein. A pulmonary embolism is potentially fatal or may result in pulmonary obstruction, pulmonary infarction, dyspenea, tachypnea, and chronic pulmonary hypertension. Symptoms may include anxiety, shortness of breath, difficulty breathing, chest pain, fainting, and convulsions. Recent reports have indicated that there is an increased risk of developing blood clots, heart attack, pulmonary embolism, and stoke with women who use Ortho Evra®.
The lawsuit alleges that Ortho McNeil was aware of the increased risks associated with Ortho Evra® before the drug was approved. It also alleges that the company failed to adequately warn patients about these risks once the drug was approved. The FDA has logged 9,116 reports of adverse reactions to the patch in a 17 month period, whereas Ortho Tri-Cyclen®, a birth control pill, only had 1,237 adverse reports in a 6 year period. During a 12 month period, 44 serious injuries or deaths have been associated with Ortho Evra®.
Reference:
"Parker & Waichman, LLP Continues to Investigate Hundreds of Claims of Ortho Evra Related Injuries - Firm Files New Case Against Ortho McNeil Pharmaceutical, Inc. on Behalf of Ortho Evra Victim Who Suffered Pulmonary Emboli at Age 31," HoustonChronical.com, January 2006.
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