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New studies slash the patch
| By Bekah Terry • The Oklahoma Daily | |
| Posted 11:26 p.m., Sept. 27, 2006 | E-Mail Article • Print Article • Post Comment |
The words are in bold, plainly written on the instructions: “You will be exposed to about 60% more estrogen if you use Ortho Evra than if you use a typical birth control pill containing 35 micrograms of estrogen.”
But what do these words mean? And what are the effects?
These questions and several others were raised when the Food and Drug Administration approved an update to the label for Ortho Evra, or, as many call it, “the birth control patch.”
The new label informs users of increased exposure to estrogen and warns them of possible side effects if used. The patch increases exposure because it is attached directly to the skin and the estrogen is deposited promptly into the blood, as opposed to the pill, which is swallowed and digested before entering the blood stream, the FDA Web site states.
The direct diffusion of estrogen from Ortho Evra may correlate to the formation of blood clots, which can cause serious harm or even death, according to the results of two studies, which prompted the label change.
The studies investigated the formation of a blood clot in the veins that can travel from the place it was made to another area and block the flow of blood.
In the first study, the makers of Ortho Evra found the risk of using clotting with the patch were the same as those when using an oral contraceptive containing 35 micrograms of estrogen. The second study, however, showed that the chances of developing blood clots doubled with women who used Ortho Evra as opposed to those using a birth control pill.
Kristen O’Bryant, business junior, said she used to use Ortho Evra, but since the new findings, has decided to change to another form of birth control.
“My mom has been sending me e-mails about it, and has seen on the news about the risks. She wanted me to stop using it," she said.
Terry Dennison, Director of Education for Planned Parenthood, said the effects of the patch depend on the woman.
“You have to weigh it with pros and cons,” he said.
He said to consider if you have a family history of strokes, your age and whether or not you smoke.
“[The] patch is good because women sometimes forget to take the pill each day,” Dennison said.
Whether or not the patch really is harmful remains a serious issue.
But why does a high amount of estrogen affect women this way?
“Nobody knows yet what it is. We are still trying to figure out what is happening,” he said.
Dennison said it could have something to do with low body weight and sweating. The real reasons, however, are still unclear.
The only definitive answers are the ones on the label.
Do not use Ortho Evra if you:
• smoke
• have high blood pressure, diabetes or high cholesterol
• have or have had clotting disorders, heart attack, stroke, chest pain, cancer of the breast or reproductive organs, jaundice, or malignant or benign liver tumors.
Risks are associated with the patch as well as the pill and any other type of medication. Dennison said to make sure to always do one thing: Read the label.
But what do these words mean? And what are the effects?
These questions and several others were raised when the Food and Drug Administration approved an update to the label for Ortho Evra, or, as many call it, “the birth control patch.”
The new label informs users of increased exposure to estrogen and warns them of possible side effects if used. The patch increases exposure because it is attached directly to the skin and the estrogen is deposited promptly into the blood, as opposed to the pill, which is swallowed and digested before entering the blood stream, the FDA Web site states.
The direct diffusion of estrogen from Ortho Evra may correlate to the formation of blood clots, which can cause serious harm or even death, according to the results of two studies, which prompted the label change.
The studies investigated the formation of a blood clot in the veins that can travel from the place it was made to another area and block the flow of blood.
In the first study, the makers of Ortho Evra found the risk of using clotting with the patch were the same as those when using an oral contraceptive containing 35 micrograms of estrogen. The second study, however, showed that the chances of developing blood clots doubled with women who used Ortho Evra as opposed to those using a birth control pill.
Kristen O’Bryant, business junior, said she used to use Ortho Evra, but since the new findings, has decided to change to another form of birth control.
“My mom has been sending me e-mails about it, and has seen on the news about the risks. She wanted me to stop using it," she said.
Terry Dennison, Director of Education for Planned Parenthood, said the effects of the patch depend on the woman.
“You have to weigh it with pros and cons,” he said.
He said to consider if you have a family history of strokes, your age and whether or not you smoke.
“[The] patch is good because women sometimes forget to take the pill each day,” Dennison said.
Whether or not the patch really is harmful remains a serious issue.
But why does a high amount of estrogen affect women this way?
“Nobody knows yet what it is. We are still trying to figure out what is happening,” he said.
Dennison said it could have something to do with low body weight and sweating. The real reasons, however, are still unclear.
The only definitive answers are the ones on the label.
Do not use Ortho Evra if you:
• smoke
• have high blood pressure, diabetes or high cholesterol
• have or have had clotting disorders, heart attack, stroke, chest pain, cancer of the breast or reproductive organs, jaundice, or malignant or benign liver tumors.
Risks are associated with the patch as well as the pill and any other type of medication. Dennison said to make sure to always do one thing: Read the label.
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