NuvaRing, a “vaginal ring” birth control device, is associated with a higher risk of blood clots than many other, equally-effective contraceptives. Unfortunately, many women were not fully informed of this risk. Blood clots associated with NuvaRing can cause severe, life-threatening complications, including heart attack, stroke, pulmonary embolism, disability, or even death.
UPDATE: NuvaRing Black Box Warning Updated
August 6, 2014 — The “Black Box” warning information for NuvaRing has been updated in Canada and the United States to warn that it should not be used by women over 35 who smoke cigarettes or have certain medical conditions. Click here to read more.
June 4, 2014 — The family of 24 year-old girl who died of a pulmonary embolism (blood clot in the lungs) have vowed to continue fighting for stronger warning labels on NuvaRing, after rejecting a $100 million settlement. Click here to read more.
February 10, 2014 — Merck offers $100 million to settle about 3,800 lawsuits involving NuvaRing. Click here to read more.
January 14, 2014 — Vanity Fair asks why the FDA has not recalled NuvaRing despite studies linking it to a 56% increased risk of blood clots. Click here to read more.
August 13, 2013 — Approximately 1,500 NuvaRing lawsuits have been filed against Merck involving heart attacks, strokes, and blood clot injuries. Click here to read more.
March 30, 2013 — The first federal NuvaRing lawsuit trials have been postponed until October 21, 2013. Click here to read more.
January 22, 2013 — A woman from Oklahoma has filed a NuvaRing lawsuit after suffering a bilateral pulmonary embolism (blood clots in both of her lungs). Click here to read more.
January 14, 2013 — The first NuvaRing trials have been postponed from May until July 2013. Click here to read more.
October 1, 2012 — A NuvaRing lawsuit has been filed by a woman who suffered from Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT). Merck & Co. is facing nearly 1,200 lawsuits in total. The first trials are scheduled for 2013. Click here to read more.
June 14, 2012 — The New England Journal of Medicine has found that women who use vaginal rings are 2.5 times more likely to have a thrombotic stroke, which occurs when blood clots form in narrow arteries in the brain.
May 15, 2012 — The British Medical Journal has published a study from researchers in Denmark, which has linked NuvaRing to a 6.5-fold increased risk of blood clots. Click here to read more.
What is NuvaRing?
NuvaRing is a type of hormonal birth control that was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2001. It was created by Organon Pharmaceuticals, which is now a part of Merck & Co.
NuvaRing is a type of contraceptive called a “vaginal ring.” It is a 2-inch, flexible ring that is intended to be placed inside the vagina once a month. It is kept in place for three weeks and removed for one week to allow menstruation.
While in place, NuvaRing releases small amounts of estrogen (ethinyl estradiol) and progestin (etonogestrel). These hormones make temporary changes to a woman’s reproductive system that dramatically decrease the chance of getting pregnant.
What is the problem?
The progestin in NuvaRing, etonogestrel, is a newer, “third-generation” synthetic hormone, which has been linked to approximately double the risk of blood clots than older, “second-generation” progestins like levonorgestrel. An estimated 8 women per 10,000 who use NuvaRing in one year are expected to develop a blood clot.
NuvaRing has also been linked to a 2.5-fold increased risk of stroke due to blood clots, which is why researchers warn:
“Our data suggest a relatively high risk of thrombotic stroke with the use of a vaginal ring.”
NuvaRing Lawsuits
Approximately 1,200 NuvaRing lawsuits have already been filed. These lawsuits allege that Merck failed to adequately warn women about the increased risk, or the fact that many equally-effective contraceptives have lower risks of blood clots.
Thousands of individual lawsuits have been centralized in a federal Multi-District Litigation (MDL) located in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri. About 200 additional lawsuits have been been centralized in New Jersey in state court litigation. The judge overseeing the MDL has scheduled the first jury trials for 2013.
In early 2014, Merck offered to resolve about 3,800 lawsuits for $100 million. These lawsuits are not part of a NuvaRing class action — they are individual lawsuits filed on behalf of injured women who hired an attorney to represent their legal claim.
NuvaRing Side Effects
Our NuvaRing lawyers are currently accepting potential cases from women who have suffered any of the following injuries after using NuvaRing:
- Blood clots
- Venous thrombosis or thromboembolism
- Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT)
- Pulmonary embolism
- Heart attack
- Stroke
- Organ damage
- Permanent disability
- Death
- Pseudotumor Cerebri (PTC)
- Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension (IIH)
Do I have a NuvaRing Lawsuit?
The Schmidt Firm, PLLC is currently accepting NuvaRing injury cases in all 50 states. If you or somebody you know was injured by a severe NuvaRing side effect, you should contact our lawyers immediately for a free case consultation. Please use the form below to contact our Defective Medical Device Litigation Group or call us toll-free 24 hours a day at (866) 920-0753.
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