The tragic death of 18-year-old Manhattan fashion student Zakiya Kennedy is the first linked to the use of a contraceptive patch, officials for both the manufacturer and the Food and Drug Administration said yesterday.
Investigators believe the aspiring model, who died Friday after collapsing in a Midtown subway station, succumbed to a rare side effect of the birth control patch, which she had been using for three weeks.
They’re convinced – based on information from the Medical Examiner’s Office – her death was caused by a blood clot that formed as a result of her using the patch.
“We’re not aware of any other deaths associated with use of the contraceptive patch,” said FDA spokeswoman Susan Cruzan.
Ortho Evra, manufactured by Ortho-McNeil, a subsidiary of Johnson & Johnson, is the only contraceptive patch with FDA approval, Cruzan said. It was approved in November 2001.
“Blood clots are a rare side effect,” spokeswoman Mona Terrell said, adding that Ortho-McNeil is “following up with the medical examiner’s office for more information.”
Heartsick relatives said Zakiya had recently complained of leg pains, a common symptom of blood clots.
Officials said that when the teen collapsed on the subway she was not wearing a patch, which is routinely removed for a week after three weeks’ use.
Her family blamed her boyfriend in her death after he pushed her in an argument minutes before she collapsed.
Additional reporting by Murray Weiss