Gallbladder disease is a potentially fatal condition that affects approximately one million Americans every year. Its development is often due to the presence of gallstones, tiny crystalline objects that have a propensity to block the ducts of the gallbladder. Should this happen, several complications may ensue. Unfortunately, the introduction of certain outside factors may increase the rate in which this condition is diagnosed. Women who take Beyaz (generic: drospirenone, ethinyl estradiol and levomefolate) may significantly increase their risk of developing one of the many forms of gallbladder disease.
If you or a loved one has suffered from gallbladder disease after taking Beyaz, you should contact our lawyers immediately for a free confidential case evaluation. You may be entitled to compensation for your injuries and we can help.
Beyaz Gallbladder Disease Lawsuit Overview
As a relatively new addition to Bayer’s arsenal of oral contraceptives, Beyaz was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and released into the U.S. market in 2010. Upon gaining the approval of the FDA, Beyaz was indicated for the prevention of pregnancy. However, unlike that of its predecessors, Beyaz added an additional ingredient. Otherwise known as levomefolate, that ingredient is intended to prevent any birth defects that may result from taking Beyaz during pregnancy.
Drospirenone, the active ingredient found within Beyaz, resides in a family of drugs known as progestins. As a progestin, drospirenone has the inherent ability to alter the conditions in the cervical and uterine lining, therefore preventing the ovulation process in women. By suppressing what are known as gonadotropins, drospirenone inhibits ovulation by altering the cervical mucus (which increases the difficulty of sperm entry into the uterus) and the endometrium (which reduces the likelihood of implantation). The inhospitable environment created by these conditions makes it increasingly difficult for sperm to even reach an egg and attempt fertilization. When taken as directed, Beyaz has proven to be 99 percent effective in preventing pregnancy.
Having become on of the most popular forms of birth control on the U.S. market, Beyaz has been used by millions of women. However, many are unaware that Beyaz treatment may coincide with catastrophic complications. According to recent studies, drospirenone-containing drugs like Beyaz may increase blood potassium levels beyond that of the average ratio. Such an increase may lead to the development of severe, life-threatening complications, one of which is gallbladder disease. Due to the severe nature of these complications, women may contact a lawyer at The Senators (Ret.) Firm, LLP for a free case evaluation regarding their potential Beyaz gallbladder disease lawsuit.
Gallbladder Disease
The purpose of the gallbladder is to assist in the digestion of foods as they travel through the digestive tract. However, the gallbladder is also responsible for the concentration of bile produced by the liver, which aids in the digestive process as well. As food travels through the small intestine, ducts connected to the gallbladder release bile, further promoting the breakdown of fats.
Unfortunately, for reasons that are still ambiguous to the medical community, substances in bile may begin to harden and crystallize while still in the gallbladder. These solid masses, otherwise known as gallstones, are typically harmless. However, the development of a large gallstone may result in the blockage of numerous ducts. The resulting obstruction may cause bile to remain stagnant in the gallbladder, with no means of exit. Stagnation such as this may result in inflammation and infection, two key contributers to gallbladder disease. The following are common gallbladder diseases resulting from blockages caused by gallstones:
- Choledocholithias: Otherwise known as gallstones in the bile duct, this disease may block the neck of the gallbladder, resulting in distention and inflammation. If this should happen, bile will be backed up into the liver resulting in obstructive jaundice or into the pancreas causing acute pancreatitis.
- Biliary dyskinesia: This condition is characterized by the inability to empty the gallbladder due to stress, inflammation and an impaired sphincter. Such obstacles do not allow bile do digest necessary fats.
- Cholecystitis: This disease is characterized by inflammation of the gallbladder. Acute cholecystitis is nearly always due to gallstones but may be due to infection.
- Cholangitis: Cholangitisis the result of inflammation in the bile duct itself. Often caused by infection, sometimes by a stuck gallstone, this condition allows bacteria to grow and spread in stagnant bile due to the blockage.
- Gallstone pancreatitis: An impacted gallstone blocks the ducts that drain the pancreas. The subsequent blockage creates an inflammation in the pancreas that inhibits the release of important enzymes.
Gallbladder Disease Complications
The following is a comprehensive list of the complications that may follow the development of gallbladder disease:
- Pancreatitis
- Infection
- Gallbladder cancer
- Gallbladder polyps
- Primary sclerosing cholangitis
- Anomalous junction of the pancreatic and biliary ducts
- Porcelain gallbladders
Other Fourth Generation Contraceptives
The following fourth generation contraceptives contain drospirenone and may also significantly increase the risk of developing gallbladder disease:
If you have taken any one of these oral contraceptives and are worried about any of the conditions mentioned above, please contact The Senators (Ret.) Firm, LLP to see if you qualify for a Beyaz gallbladder disease lawsuit.
Do I Have a Beyaz Gallbladder Disease Lawsuit?
The trial lawyers at The Senators (Ret.) Firm, LLP have decades of experience navigating through complex legislative and regulatory issues and litigating high stakes cases all over the nation. Our law firm focuses on the representation of plaintiffs in Beyaz gallbladder disease lawsuits. We are currently accepting new cases in all 50 states.
Again, if you or a loved one has suffered from gallbladder disease after taking Beyaz, you should contact our lawyers immediately by clicking the link below or calling toll free 1-(949) 557-5800. You may be entitled to compensation for your injuries and we can help.