How to tell about the side effects of Ortho Evra?
You might have come across the bold warning statement in the Ortho Evra, the birth control skin patch stating that the patch delivers high quantity of estrogen than birth control pills. Hence among some women, using Ortho Evra lead to increased blood clots during menstrual cycle.
Ortho Evra is a small skin patch which substitutes the birth control pills and usually worn on the outer part of the upper arm, upper torso, abdomen, or buttocks of the women.
An Ortho Evra patch is used for one week and then replaced with a new one for three consecutive weeks and the last week will be a “patch free week”. The women should wear only one patch at a point of time.
This patch works by releasing the hormones (progestin and estrogen) into the blood stream through the skin.
Although there is a benefit of birth control with the use of Ortho Evra, it is having its own limitations.
Ortho Evra side effects
The common side effects of Ortho Evra are-
- Severe abdominal pain
- Upper respiratory infections
- Menstrual cramping
- Nausea
- Skin reactions at the application site- Reddening or rash at the site of the patch
- Headache
- Breast related symptoms that include secretion, enlargement and tenderness.
- Vaginitis
- Urinary tract infection
- Depression
- Gum inflammation
Similar side effects like other contraceptive like pills
The few possible Ortho Evra patch side effects are more or less similar to those caused by use of a variety of other types of contraceptives like pills or vaginal pessaries.
In addition to the side effects discussed here, the Ortho Evra using women experience obvious alteration related to vaginal discharge, menstrual flow and sexual desire. In some women additional weight gain also being recorded.
Antibiotics, anticonvulsants and antifungals are the common drugs that required to be avoided while using Ortho Evra. This is due to the fact that these drugs might cause negative effect of the Ortho Evra functionality.
Blood clots or thrombosis
Among all the side effects experienced by the Ortho Evra using women, blood clots or thrombosis is the most severe one. Initially, this Ortho Evra blood clot will be found in the veins of the legs.
These blood clots are very dangerous once it get dislodged from the vein and may enter the heart, lungs or brain via the blood stream. If the clot reaches the heart, it may lead to heart failure or heart attack. A blood clot in the lungs may result in dyspnea (difficult in breathing), and an Ortho Evra blood clot in brain may lead to stroke.
A strong debate is going on among the scientific community to find out a precise link between Ortho Evra side effect risks and fatal blood clots.
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