The most recent Mirena allegations indicate that the intrauterine device caused harmful neurological side effects, in addition to perforation problems.

The Mirena IUD is a small T-shaped device that is directly inserted into the uterus. It acts as a long-term birth control product that can last up to five years. It works by releasing a small amount of hormone called levongrestrel inside the patient, which ultimately prevents sperm-to-egg fertilization.

Currently, there are more than 500 Mirena IUD lawsuits in the United States, consolidated into a multidistrict litigation (MDL) under U.S. District Judge Cathy Seibel in southern New York. Each of these birth control lawsuits alleges the Mirena IUD migrated away from the patient’s uterus, and causing a series of problems inside the woman.

In addition to the Mirena IUD migration lawsuits under Judge Seibel, more than 785 Mirena IUD lawsuits have been filed in New Jersey state court, where Bayer’s headquarters is located. The New Jersey lawsuits have been consolidated under Superior Court Judge Brian R. Martinotti in Bergen County as part of a Multicounty Litigation (MCL).

On May 27, a group of nine plaintiffs filed a motion with the U.S. Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation (JPML), asking for a separate MDL establishment for Mirena patients who allegedly suffered non-stroke neurological injuries.

Among these injuries, pseudotumor cerebri (PTC), also known as idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH), was most commonly claimed. This motion also stated that the lawyers representing these plaintiffs are prepared to file a Mirena IUD lawsuit on behalf of at least 65 other women who allegedly suffered these problems.

Overview of Mirena Pseudotumor Cerebri Side Effects

The pseudotumor cerebri occurs when the cerebrospinal fluid levels become elevated in the patient, which increases pressure in the skull, causing a patient to develop severe migraines, double vision, temporary blindness, and other vision loss symptoms.

If medical intervention is not taken quickly enough, patients can suffer optic disc swelling and develop an almost-permanent ringing in the ears, known as tinnitus.

The plaintiffs involved in this litigation allege that Mirena’s manufacturer, Bayer Pharmaceuticals, knew about the possibility of brain damage and device migration, but failed to include these risks on the warning label.

Particularly, the plaintiffs claim that Bayer especially knew about the potential damage Mirena’s main ingredient, levonorgestrel, could cause to the brain and that it could possibly cause the development of PTC. They allege the company had failed to put any indications on the product’s label to indicate cerebrospinal fluid build-up, causing numerous women to be injured.

Due to the number of women who have already reported cerebri pseudotumors, the plaintiffs and their lawyers are seeking a separate MDL for Mirena pseudotumor cerebri lawsuits. They also request that this MDL be presented before a different judge, given the difference of the allegations between the product migration injuries and the PTC injuries.

Bayer denies any and all wrongdoing regarding the Mirena IUD, and argues that adequate information was provided to the patients regarding the Mirena IUD migration warnings. The company also denies the PTC allegations, or any other brain injuries indicated by the plaintiffs.