Bayer is facing over 100 lawsuits for allegedly downplaying the link between Mirena and neurological side effects, including pseudotumor cerebri (PTC). This serious condition can cause permanent brain damage, vision loss, or blindness.
Over 100+ Mirena Pseudotumor Cerebri Lawsuits
Lawyers have asked federal judges to centralize over 100 Mirena lawsuits involving pseudotumor cerebri (PTC) and/or idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH) into a Multi-District Litigation (MDL). The panel has already established an MDL to centralize hundreds of Mirena lawsuits involving uterine perforation.
What is Mirena?
Mirena is an intrauterine device (IUD) manufactured by Bayer. It is designed to reduce a woman’s risk of pregnancy by slowly releasing hormones. One of these hormones, levonorgestrel, has been linked to an increased risk of PTC and/or IIH.
What is the problem?
Unfortunately, the Prescribing Information for Mirena does not include warnings about PTC, IIH, or other serious neurological side effects. Lawsuits accuse Bayer of concealing this risk information from doctors and patients.
What is Pseudotumor Cerebri?
Pseudotumor cerebri (PTC) is a medical condition that occurs when there is too much cerebrospinal fluid inside the skull, which increases pressure on the brain. The condition, also known as idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH), produces effects that are similar to a growing brain tumor.
Complications of PTC
PTC puts pressure on the optic nerve, which causes vision loss that can lead to blindness. There is no treatment to reverse damage to the optic nerve. Because of this, once PTC/IIH is diagnosed, treatment focuses on preserving remaining vision. Doctors typically administer medications to reduce production of cerebrospinal fluid. If other treatments do not work, doctors may have to use a shunt to drain excess fluid from the skull.
Symptoms of PTC
- Headache
- Neck, shoulder, or back pain
- Blurry vision
- Buzzing or ringing sound in the ears (tinnitus)
- Dizziness
- Double vision
- Nausea, vomiting
- Vision loss
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