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Pulmonary Embolism (PE)

On November 10, 2005, Johnson & Johnson issued a warning about its Ortho Evra birth control patch causing a higher incidence of blood clots than oral contraceptives. A Pulmonary Embolism is a blood clot that passes from the legs to the lungs.

The AP reported that, based upon FDA records it obtained through a Freedom of Information Act, women using Ortho Evra in 2004 were three (3) times more likely then women using birth control pills to die or develop nonfatal blood clots. The Associated Press learned that of the 23 cases in which death was the outcome, doctors reviewing the cases found 17 that appeared to be blood-clot-related, including 12 in 2004.

Additionally, in The October 12, 1996, issue of the Lancet contains three articles and a letter reporting that current users of postmenopausal hormone replacement therapy (HRT) drugs (Prempro, Premarin, and Premphase) may have a twofold or higher increased risk of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) in the legs and may lead to Pulmonary embolism (PE).

Patients who take or have taken Vioxx are at an increased risk of developing pulmonary embolism (PE). Vioxx promotes the formation of blood clots, which can later cause a pulmonary embolism (PE). Merck & Co. removed its blockbuster arthritis drug Vioxx from the market worldwide because new data from a clinical trial found an increased risk of heart attack and stroke.

Merck decided to remove the drug from the market on September 30, 2004, after data from the trial showed an increased risk of heart attack, stroke, blood clots and other cardiovascular complications.

A pulmonary embolism (PE) is a blood clot in the lung. It usually comes from smaller vessels in the leg, pelvis, arms, or heart. When a clot forms in the legs or arms, it is referred to as a deep venous thrombosis (DVT).

The clot passes through the vessels of the lung continuing to reach smaller vessels until it becomes wedged in a vessel that is too small to allow it to continue anymore. The clot gets wedged and prevents any further blood from traveling to that section of the lung.

There are numerous factors that may make someone more likely to develop a blood clot that can sooner or later break loose and travel to the lung:

1) Immobilization: A stroke, broken bone, or spinal cord injury can result in confinement to bed so that clot formation can occur in either the arms or legs.

2) Travel: Prolonged travel, such as sitting in an airplane or a long car trip, allows the blood to sit in the legs and increases the risk of clot formation.

3) Trauma or injury (especially to the legs).

4) Obesity.

5) Heart disease (such as an irregular heartbeat).

6) Burns.

7) Previous history of blood clot in the legs (DVT) or Pulmonary embolism.

Conditions that increase clotting of the blood

1) Pregnancy
2) Cancer
3) Certain protein and enzyme deficiencies
4) Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) drugs

If you or a loved one has taken HRT drugs; COX-II Inhibitors, or the Ortho Evra Patch and were diagnosed with a Pulmonary Embolism (PE), please fill out the form at the right for a free case evaluation by a qualified defective drug attorney.