Recent studies suggest that young women taking Yaz, a popular birth control medication, for one to six months have an increased risk of developing pseudotumor cerebri.

Product liability attorneys are  looking for potential plaintiffs to bring Yaz pseudotumor lawsuits against the pharmaceutical manufacturer.

According to several studies, Yaz and many similar birth control medications have been linked to an increased risk of developing a serious drug side effect known as pseudotumor cerebri. According to one study, as of June 15, over 29,000 people had reported suffering side effects from taking Yaz. Of those 29,000 complaints, 14 people, or .05%, reported suffering from pseudotumor cerebri. The active ingredients in Yaz are drospirenone andethinyl estradiol.

What is pseudotumor cerebri?

Pseudotumor cerebri is a neurological condition sometimes referred to as idiopathic intra cranial hypertension. Pseudotumor cerebri is a condition in which a patient experiences increased pressure within the brain with the absence of a tumor.

The medical condition often mimics symptoms of a brain tumor. People taking mediations for acne, birth control, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, pain, and depression are often at risk of developing this condition.

Symptoms of pseudotumor cerebri often include headaches, migraines, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, ringing in the ears, changes in vision, depression, forgetfulness, neck stiffness, and problems walking.

For some women taking medications like Yaz, pseudotumor cerebri symptoms become more evident during or after exercise. Exercise tends to increase the pressure in the skull. A medical professional can diagnose cases of pseudotumor cerebri by ordering an MRI or CT scan of the brain. The condition can also be diagnosed in an eye exam or through a spinal tap.

Overview of Pseudotumor Cerebri Lawsuits

Potential plaintiffs who are considering bringing a pseudotumor cerebri lawsuit should seek the advice of a legal professional. Whether a lawsuit should be brought is a decision that should be made on a case by case basis with the assistance of an attorney.

Potential plaintiffs will likely bring pseudotumor cerebri lawsuits individually, but plaintiffs have the option of bringing a class action lawsuit. Individual lawsuits give plaintiffs more autonomy over their case, while class action lawsuits can help spread the costs of litigation.

Lawsuits against the birth control companies will likely allege that the pharmaceutical companies violated consumer protection laws by failing to warn about the increased risks of developing serious side effects.

As more pseudotumor cerebri birth control lawsuits file through the state and federal courts, the number of cases that settle may begin to increase. Settlements spare both parties the cost and time of lengthy litigation, although in many settlements the pharmaceutical companies are able to avoid an admission of wrongdoing.

Awards and settlements from these birth control lawsuits will help hold pharmaceutical companies accountable for their actions. Awards for damages remind the companies that they owe their consumers a specific duty of care. The damages received will also help patents pay both past and future medical bills as well as compensate them for the pain and suffering they have been forced to endure.

Different types of birth control including oral contraceptives and IUD birth control have been linked to an abnormal elevation of cerebrospinal fluid in the skull, resulting in a neurological condition known as pseudotumor cerebri or idiopathic intracranial hypertension. This medical condition increases pressure in the skull, mimicking symptoms of a brain tumor.

What is Pseudotumor Cerebri?

Pseudotumor cerebri, also known as idiopathic intracranial hypertension, is a medical condition caused by increased pressure around the brain.

The exact cause of this condition is unknown, but it is likely caused by the buildup or poor absorption of cerebrospinal fluid back into the bloodstream. This fluid acts as a cushion to protect the brain and spinal cord from injury. It is constantly produced by the brain and reabsorbed into the bloodstream. Increased intracranial pressure may be caused by a problem in this absorption process, creating a pseudotumor or “false brain tumor.”

One of the risk factors for increased intracranial pressure is medication, including certain birth control pills and the Mirena IUD.

Pseudotumor Cerebri Symptoms

Pseudotumor cerebri symptoms may include:

• Frequent headaches or migraines that may originate behind your eyes and worsen with eye movement
• Ringing in the ears that pulses in time with your heartbeat, creating a “whooshing” sound (pulsatile tinnitus)
• Feeling dizzy or nauseated
• Vomiting
• Blurred vision, double vision, blind spots
• Vision loss affecting one or both eyes
• Difficulty seeing to the side
• Seeing light flashes (photopsia)
• Neck stiffness
• Neck, shoulder or back pain
• Problems walking
• Forgetfulness
• Depression
• More

Some women notice an increase in pseudotumor cerebri symptoms while exerting energy, because exercise tends to raise the pressure in the skull.

The symptoms of pseudotumor cerebri may resemble other medical conditions. Always consult your doctor for a diagnosis. A doctor may perform the following tests to diagnose the condition: MRI or CT scans of the brain, spinal tap, eye exam.