Health Canada warning over birth control patch

Birth Control Patch May Increase The Risk Of Blood Clots. Health Canada is warning Canadian women that the use of a birth control patch may increase their risk of developing blood clots in the legs and lungs.

The department, along with drugmaker Janssen-Ortho Inc., issued the statement based on research that showed a U.S. formulation of the company’s patch contraceptive may be associated with a higher risk of blood clots than oral birth control pills.

“We’re taking the precaution of giving people an additional heads up that there’s a risk of blood clots with the product,” said Health Canada spokesperson Alastair Sinclair.

Formulation Is Sold Under The Brand Name Ortho Evra Birth Control Patch

Janssen-Ortho’s U.S. formulation is sold under the brand name Ortho Evra.

The Canadian product, sold as Evra, contains a lower dose of estrogen.

The advisory noted women who are obese are particularly at higher risk of blood clots.

It also points out there is a theoretical risk that exposing the patch to heat could lead to increased exposure of estrogen, so it recommends women wearing an Evra patch avoid saunas and hot tubs.

Sinclair said there have been 78 adverse events reported by Canadian users of Evra since the patch hit the market in 2004. Of those, 14 were cases of blood clots and one was a heart attack.

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