NuvaRing is a trademark name for a detachable vaginal contraceptive device made by Merck (formerly Schering-Plough, formerly Organon). It also goes by the generic name: ethinyl estradiol and etonogestrel. NuvaRing is a flexible, transparent ring made of polyethylene vinyl acetate that is about two inches in diameter. It is developed to be designed to be inserted by a woman, herself, into her lower reproductive tract once a month to prevent pregnancy.
This ring was developed to be inserted for 3 weeks, where it delivers a low dosage of a progestin and estrogen through the vaginal lining directly into the bloodstream. The two hormones interact to avert the ovaries from producing mature eggs. The ring is after that removed for a week, during which, the user will experience a menstrual period. NuvaRing contains the hormone etonogestrel, the active metabolite of the prodrug desogestrel. This makes the NuvaRing a third-generation contraceptive. NuvaRing is a somewhat new form of birth control, first approved in the United States by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on October 3, 2001. NuvaRing is currently used by approximately 1.5 million women worldwide.
In March of 2008, a lawsuit was filed against the manufacturers, distributors, and marketers of the NuvaRing product. The plaintiffs allege that these companies concealed the many hazards associated with using the birth control device, which they claim caused the death of the plaintiff’s wife.
At this time, over 730 lawsuits have been filed in state and Nuva Ring and Packaging federal court. Over 40 associated deaths have also been reported, all blamed on NuvaRing side effects. Merck vigorously defends all allegations and trials are set for 2012.
Blood Clots are the most common problem with the NuvaRing product, more specifically a issue called deep venous thrombosis or DVT, in which blood clots which form in the veins in the lower part of the legs and thighs. This serious condition can restrict and interfere with the flow of blood to various organs. In some cases, the clot, known as a thrombus, moves through the veins and the lodge itself in the brain, lungs, heart, or any other area, thus severely damaging that organ. This moving mass or blockage is referred as an embolism, and is capable of clogging arterial capillary beds at a site distant from the point where it originally formed.
Even though DVT can occur due to other factors like extended sitting, prolonged prolonged bed rest, recent hip, knee, or female reproductive organ surgery, fractures, an overproduction of the red blood cells, malignant tumors, and hypercoagulability, the risks of developing a blood clot are greatly increased while using NuvaRing.
Critical and/or deadly deadly medical complications can include blood clots, deep vein thrombosis (DVT), heart attack or myocardial infarction, stroke or cerebral hemorrhage, pulmonary embolism, retinal thrombosis, thrombophlebitis and venous thrombosis with or without embolism, toxic shock syndrome (TSS).
If you or a loved one have been injured by a Merck NuvaRing, please call Hummer Law Offices today 1-800-433-8420 for a free initial consultation regarding your potential claim. Or, visit them on the web at http://www.hummerlaw.com.
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