NuvaRing Attorneys Report That Patients May Be Injured
NuvaRing Birth Control: Important Side Effects
A 26-year-old woman from Iowa has filed a product liability lawsuit against Merck, claiming that she suffered a heart stoke within a month of using NuvaRing vaginal ring contraceptive. Sherri Howell experienced palpitation, chest pain, and breathing difficulty that resulted in pulmonary embolism. Following her six-month hospitalization and treatment, doctors found migration of blood clots attributed to NuvaRing hormonal contraceptive created blockage in her lungs. In March 2008, husband of a New Jersey resident sued Merck for the wrongful death of his wife. The victim died of heart stroke caused by NuvaRing-induced deep vein thrombosis and consequent pulmonary embolism.
NuvaRing Birth Control: Contraceptive or Fatal Side Effects?
NuvaRing is a ring-shaped hormonal contraceptive that is inserted into the vagina. A flexible plastic device, it comprises two hormones, progestin and estrogen, that prevents ovulation and sperm penetration. There is no need to visit doctors for NuvaRing insertion, and once inserted, the vaginal ring lasts for three weeks. The FDA approved NuvaRing in October 2001, and the manufacturer started marketing it nine months later.
A number of research studies as well as post-marketing surveys have highlighted wrongful death, fatal cardiovascular problems, blood clots, venous thromboembolic events, sexual problems, and a host of other complications linked to NuvaRing side effects. The third generation progestin in NuvaRing can double the risk of heart stroke while its sexual side effects have forced many to discard its use in favor of other birth control options.
NuvaRing Side Effects Studies
- Within a year of its approval, NuvaRing birth control ring came under intense scrutiny. Two independent studies, one by U.S. researchers and the other one by European scholars found a significantly high rate of NuvaRing rejection among users. More than 15 percent of users discarded the contraceptive as they experienced sexual problems, emotional liability, headache, vaginitis, foreign object sensation, bleeding irregularities, and upper respiratory tract infection. In 2006, a Dutch study confirmed similar premature discontinuation following NuvaRing side effects.
- The findings of a federal-sponsored study released by the FDA in October 2011 linked NuvaRing hormonal contraceptive to high risk of blood clots. Researchers discovered that “third generation” progestin, the key element of NuvaRing, has 56 percent higher potential to cause blood clots than other type of hormonal birth control devices. The study warned of heart attacks and strokes caused by the contraceptive.
- Two reports published in the British Medical Journal and the New England Journal of Medicine in May and June 2012 claimed that NuvaRing side effects put users at a greater risk of strokes. According to the study that looked into the medical history of 1.5 million women, NuvaRing contraceptive may enhance the risk of ischemic stroke and myocardial infarction by two to three times considering single-hormone contraceptives. When compared with other non-hormone contraceptives, it was found to be 6.5 times more dangerous to induce venous thrombosis.
NuvaRing Side effects
- Blood Clotting: Third generation progestin used in NuvaRing effects changes that lead to blood clots. These clots formed in the leg can travel to other parts and create blood vessel blockages that result in strokes, vision problems, and other complications. Many users had to undergo elective surgery because of blood clots caused by NuvaRing.
- Heart Strokes: NuvaRing-induced blood clots cause arterial blockages that manifested in heart strokes and other cardiovascular adverse events. The contraceptive carries a boxed warning, and can double the chance of pulmonary embolism.
- Breast Cancer: NuvaRing users face a high threat of breast enlargement, tenderness, and cancer. Those treated for breast cancer or those who have recovered from it are at an increased risk of developing hormone-sensitive tumors.
- High Blood Pressure: NuvaRing hormonal contraceptive increases blood pressure, blood sugar, triglycerides, and cholesterol.
- Gallbladder disease
- Liver tumors
- Lipid metabolism and pancreas inflammation
- Vaginal infections
- Weight gain
- Skin problems
- Headache, depression, and nervousness
Nuvaring Lawsuits
Over NuvaRing 1,500 lawsuits are awaiting trial in the United States, alleging that the manufacturer knowingly concealed information on NuvaRing side effects that led to deaths and injuries to users. The MDL panel has consolidated all federal NuvaRing lawsuits at a Missouri eastern district court while more than 200 litigations are awaiting trial in Bergen County court of New Jersey.
IF YOU WANT TO LEARN MORE ABOUT HOW WE MAY BE ABLE TO HELP YOU WITH A CLAIM FOR A NUVARING PLEASE CALL US TODAY OR CONTINUE READING.
Side Effects
Some women who have had NuvaRing implanted experienced serious and even debilitating or life-threatening side-effects. Serious side effects that have been linked to NuvaRing include:
- Blood clots
- Cerebral thrombosis
- Deep vein thrombosis (DVT)
- Heart attack or myocardial infarction (MI)
- Pulmonary embolism
- Retinal thrombosis
- Stroke or cerebral hemorrhage
- Thrombophlebitis and venous thrombosis with or without embolism
- Toxic shock syndrome (TSS)
If you experienced adverse NuvaRing side effects or have a loved one who suffered injury following the implantation of NuvaRing, you may have a potential NuvaRing lawsuit.
More Information
Approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2001, NuvaRing is a non-biodegradable, latex-free, flexible vaginal ring containing a combination of the hormones estrogen (ethinyl estradiol) and progestin (etonogestrel). Etonogestrel is the active metabolite of desogestrel, a synthetic form of the naturally occurring female sex hormone progesterone. The NuvaRing contraceptive ring is designed to prevent pregnancy by releasing a steady dose of the hormone combination into the bloodstream through the vaginal walls over the course of 21 days. The hormones prevent ovulation, change the cervical mucus to prevent sperm penetration, and thin the lining of the uterus to, theoretically, prevent sperm implantation.
In October 2003, The New England Journal of Medicine addressed research suggesting that, when taken orally, desogestrel can significantly increase the risk of blood clots. If left untreated, such blood clots can develop into more serious conditions that may include stroke, heart attack, pulmonary embolism, or deep vein thrombosis. These findings, as well as those from other studies, were based upon analysis of the effect of oral contraceptives containing desogestrel.
A Swiss report was released in June 2010 which claimed there were approximately 40 deaths reported in the FDA database of adverse events associated with Nuvaring. The current label and package insert for NuvaRing refers only to studies conducted on women using combination oral contraceptives and suggests that adverse reactions associated with the use of combination hormonal oral contraceptives are likely to apply to combination vaginal contraceptives like NuvaRing. The label, however, states that there is no available epidemiologic data to determine whether the safety and efficacy of vaginal administration of combination hormonal contraceptives differs from oral administration. To date, there is no comprehensive study of NuvaRing and the long-term health effects of its vaginally delivered combination.
Our team of attorneys are now investigating claims and prepared to file NuvaRing lawsuits involving the vaginal ring contraceptive medication NuvaRing®. NuvaRing is manufactured by New Jersey-based Organon USA, Inc., a company that Schering-Plough Corporation acquired in 2007, and has been linked to serious events such as blood clots, pulmonary embolism, stroke and heart attack.Call us today at 1-800-632-1404 for a FREE CONSULTATION.
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We take NuvaRing litigation cases on a contingency basis. That means that there is no cost to you unless we and our co-counsel are able to recover a settlement or judgment on your behalf. So, unless your case is resolved by trial, arbitration, settlement, or other resolution, you do not have to pay any attorney fees to us, or pay any costs. Litigation costs include filing fees, court reporter fees for deposition, copying costs, experts, and travel. Litigation costs are paid by our firm so you don’t have to have cash to pursue justice against medical device corporations.
About us
Our team of attorneys have been retained by clients across the world as to allegedly defective and improperly designed medical devices and prescription drugs. In fact, our team of attorneys has represented patients around the globe for the allegedly defective Advanced Bionics HiRes90k cochlear implant device and other medical devices including the DePuy hip implant, the Mirena IUD and the transvaginal mesh and transvaginal sling devices including from C.R. Bard, AMS, Boston Scientific and Johnson & Johnson’s Ethicon.
As a NuvaRing attorney, we will investigate your claim and with our co-counsel we stand ready to push your case ahead.
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