Merck-Funded Study Says NuvaRing Doesn’t Increase Blood Clot Risks
By Sarah Pierce
As the number of NuvaRing blood clot lawsuits grows to 1,000, a well-timed study claiming there is no increased blood clot risk associated with NuvaRing has many Plaintiffs and their NuvaRing lawyers scratching their heads. The May 2012 study (which coincidentally was funded by NuvaRing marketer Merck & Co.) found no increased risk of deep vein thrombosis with NuvaRing over oral contraceptives. This is in stark contrast to another May 2012 NuvaRing study — done by independent researchers — that found a 90% increased risk in NuvaRing pulmonary embolism.The independent study, published May 10, 2012 in the British Medical Journal, found that NuvaRing users are 6.5 times more likely to suffer a pulmonary embolism or deep-vein thrombosis (DVT) than women who do not use birth control, and are 90% more likely to have a dangerous blood clot than women who use the pill. The BMJ study backs claims made in nearly 1,000 NuvaRing blood clot lawsuits filed by women who suffered severe NuvaRing blood clot side effects like pulmonary embolism, deep vein thrombosis, heart attack and stroke. Some NuvaRing attorneys suspect the Merck-funded study is designed to squelch consumer fears about NuvaRing amid growing litigation.
According to the Merck-funded NuvaRing study, called “Transatlantic Active Surveillance on Cardiovascular Safety of NuvaRing,” the risk of venous thrombosis in women using an etonogestrel-containing vaginal ring, like NuvaRing, did not differ significantly from the risk in women on combined oral contraceptives over a 4-year period. The study said that only 56 (less than 1%) of the 33,704 women studied reported deep vein thrombosis or pulmonary embolism.
This is significantly different from the finding in the independent study, which found more than 3,400 diagnoses of deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism in a 10-year study of more than 1.6 million women. An October 2011 study by the FDA found that NuvaRing users increased their risk of deep vein thrombosis by about 55%.
What is deep vein thrombosis/pulmonary embolism?
Several studies show a link between NuvaRing and an increased risk of venous thrombosis, a class of serious blood clots that include pulmonary embolism and deep vein thrombosis (DVT).
DVT is a potentially fatal condition in which one or more blood clots form in a deep-lying vein — usually in the leg, but sometimes in the pelvis or arms — and block the flow of blood. DVT may occur without symptoms, but often produces pain, redness and swelling. If the blood clot breaks free, it can be carried up the blood vessels into the lung, a condition known as pulmonary embolism. Pulmonary embolism can produce severe chest pain, cardiac arrest, and sometimes death.
How do I file a NuvaRing lawsuit?
Many women have decided to hold Merck & Co. and Organon responsible for their NuvaRing blood clot injuries because they failed to adequately warn the public about the increased risk of developing deep vein thrombosis or pulmonary embolism after using NuvaRing. Nearly 1,000 NuvaRing blood clot lawsuits have already been filed, and NuvaRing lawyers expect the number to continue growing.
Many of these lawsuits have been consolidated into a New Jersey Mass Tort and into a NuvaRing lawsuit MDL in Missouri federal court. Nine of the lawsuits pending in the NuvaRing Mass Tort were recently selected to go to trial in February 2013 as “bellwether” (or test) cases, which means the first NuvaRing lawsuit settlements may be reached within a year.
If you used NuvaRing and suffered a blood clot side effect such as NuvaRing pulmonary embolism or NuvaRing deep vein thrombosis (DVT), you have legal options. The medical expenses alone to treat these conditions — not to mention the pain and suffering and loss of income caused by PE and DVT — can cost victims thousands of dollars. The drug manufacturers and marketers should be held liable for the defective manufacturing and misleading advertising that caused your injury.
If you or a loved one has experienced a NuvaRing side effect such as a blood clot, DVT, PE or stroke, a NuvaRing compensation consultant can provide a free consultation about your case to see if you’re a good fit to seek compensation through a NuvaRing lawsuit. NuvaRing attorneys are waiting to talk to you know, and the consultation is always free. NuvaRing lawyers affiliated with Top Class Actions don’t get paid unless you win or settle.
Updated June 28th, 2012
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