Columbia University Health Services

A warning has been added to the product label for the Ortho Evra Patch alerting providers and consumers of the increased exposure to estrogen with the Patch compared to oral contraceptive pills. The effects of this increased exposure are unknown, but studies addressing safety concerns are underway. Health Services will be following results closely and will post information as it becomes available. 

Recent media reports have linked the new labeling changes about increased estrogen exposure with past stories of deaths in Patch users. Adverse Event Reports filed with the FDA are the source of this information. To date, no scientific study has proven such a link. During earlier well-controlled pre-release clinical trials with the Patch, no deaths occurred. 

The Patch, a very popular weekly birth control method, has been used by over 5 million women, and has a lower failure rate than birth control pills. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists continues to recommend Patch use in patients with no increased risk for blood clotting. 

If you have any questions about the Patch, please contact Patricia Anders, NP.