Significant health risks have been reported in patients using the Ortho Evra birth control patch. The patch is manufactured by Johnson & Johnson and Ortho McNeil, two large pharmaceutical manufacturers. Blood clots and strokes are among the primary heatlh risks seen in some persons using the patch. The Federal Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has reported deaths of women using the patch.

Serious Side Effects from the Patch
Be sure to contact your doctor or emergency medical help immediately if you suffer:

• sharp chest pain
  
• coughing of blood
  
• sudden shortness of breath
  
• crushing chest pain or tightness in the chest
  
• pain in the calf of your leg (which may indicate a clot in the leg)
  
• sudden severe headache, nausea, fainting, or dizziness (which indicate a stroke)