Oral contraceptives have established themselves as the most popular forms of birth control in the United States. As their names suggest, birth control pills are administered through a routine regimen to assist in the prevention of pregnancy. Of significant concern, however, are the serious side effects that may coincide with prolonged birth control treatment. Women who use birth control may significantly increase their risk of developing a life-threatening blood clot, along with any complications that may ensue.
If you or a loved one has suffered from a blood clot after taking birth control, 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.
Birth Control Blood Clot Lawsuit Overview
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), nearly half of all pregnancies in the United States are unintended. Therefore, most women of reproductive age in the United States use birth control. Between 2006–2008, 99 percent of women who had ever had sexual intercourse had used at least one method of birth control. However, the most popular method of birth control was the oral contraceptive pill, used by 10.7 million women in the United States.
The majority of birth control pills have been approved by the US. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to assist in the prevention of pregnancy. However, many women use oral contraceptives as a means to treat moderate acne and the symptoms associated with premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD).
Recent birth control pills, otherwise known as fourth generation contraceptives, utilize a synthetic hormone known as drospirenone. Drospirenone has the inherent ability to alter the conditions in the cervical and uterine lining, therefore preventing the ovulation process in women (which increases the difficulty of sperm entry into the uterus). Furthermore, drospirenone reduces the likelihood of implantation by altering the cervical mucus of the endometrium as well. These combined efforts create an inhospitable environment for subsequent sperm.
While birth control pills have demonstrated the ability to prevent pregnancy, their use has recently been associated with serious side effects. Of significant concern, are the elevated blood potassium levels that may coincide with the use of birth control pills. According to a recent FDA Advisory Committee, drospirenone-containing contraceptives may increase potassium levels beyond that of which is considered safe. Furthermore, elevated potassium levels may initiate the clotting cascade responsible for the development of blood clots. The formation of an unnecessary blood clot may prevent organs from receiving their required nutrients, resulting in several severe, life-threatening complications. Due to the severity of these complications, women may contact a lawyer at The Senators (Ret.) Firm, LLP for a free case evaluation regarding their birth control blood clot lawsuit.
Blood Clot
Blood clots, otherwise known as thrombi, are the result of a complex mechanism responsible for healing the body. In the presence of a damaged blood vessel, platelets are recruited from the blood stream to the injured area to form an initial plug. These activated platelets release chemicals that start the clotting cascade, using a series of clotting factors produced by the body. Ultimately, fibrin is formed, the protein that crosslinks with itself to form a mesh that makes up the final blood clot.
When a blood clot is formed as part of a normal repair process of the body, there is little consequence. However, there are times when blood clots form for unexplained reasons, and this can have potentially significant consequences. The presence of a severe blood clot may result in catastrophic complications. Blood clots that prohibit a sufficient amount of blood to be circulated to parts of the body prevent said parts from receiving the appropriate nutrients necessary for survival. Therefore, a blood clot may starve vital organs of oxygen and ultimately lead to severe complications. The following are potential adverse events that may coincide with a blood clot:
- Deep vein thrombosis (DVT)
- Venous thromboembolism (VTE)
- Pulmonary embolism
- Hyperkalemia
- Cerebrovascular accidents (CVA)
- Heart attack
- Myocardial infraction
- Gallbladder complications
- Stroke
- Death
FDA Safety Communication
According to an FDA Safety Communication, the agency is aware of two newly published studies that evaluated the risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE) in women who use birth control pills that contain drospirenone. The two recently published studies looked at whether there is a higher risk of blood clots in women taking birth control pills containing the progestin drospirenone when compared to similar women taking birth control pills containing a different progestin called levonorgestrel. These two new studies reported that there is a greater risk of VTE associated with birth control pills that contain drospirenone. Unfortunately, the presence of a severe VTE may lead to the development of several life-threatening complications.
Birth Control Blood Clot Risk
The FDA has recently completed a review of observational studies regarding the risk of blood clots in women taking drospirenone-containing birth control pills. Based on the data acknowledged in the review, officials at the FDA have concluded that drospirenone-containing birth control pills may be associated with a higher risk for blood clots than other progestin-containing pills. To put the risk of developing a blood clot from a birth control pill into perspective: The risk of developing a blood clots is higher when using any birth control pills than not using them. As a result, the FDA has requested a label change.
According to a Drug Safety Communication, the revised drug labels will report that some epidemiologic studies reported as high as a three-fold increase in the risk of blood clots for drospirenone-containing products when compared to products containing levonorgestrel or some other progestins. If you have taken oral contraceptives and are worried about the blood clot risks, you may be entitled to compensation by filing your own birth control blood clot lawsuit.
Birth Control Blood Clot Risks
The following fourth generation birth control pills contain drospirenone and may significantly increase the risk of developing a severe blood clot:
Do I Have a Birth Control Blood Clot 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 birth control blood clot lawsuits. We are currently accepting new cases in all 50 states.
Again, if you or a loved one has suffered from a blood clot after taking birth control, 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.