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March 2, 2006—The FDA announced that it is launching a safety review of Ortho
Evra birth control patches, following evidence that the patch is associated with increased side effects.
The agency previously warned women in November 2005 that Ortho Evra was linked with higher incidences
of blood clots.
Evidence indicates women using the patch are exposed to approximately
60 percent more estrogen than those women using traditional birth control pills.
The review is part of a larger probe to assess the safety of various patches. The agency is concerned
that defects in the patches may lead to increased absorption rates, causing too much medication to
be delivered to the patient.
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