NuvaRing Risk of Pulmonary Embolism, Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) Highlighted in New Study

Austin Kirk

By Austin Kirk
Posted May 11, 2012

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A study released late yesterday provides further evidence to support lawsuits filed by women throughout the United States, who allege that side effects of NuvaRing increase the risk of deep vein thrombosis (DVT), pulmonary embolism and other blood clots.

Please note that the lawyers at Saiontz & Kirk, P.A. are no longer taking on new cases involving NuvaRing. The content on this page is provided for informational purposes only.

This is one of the first large-scale studies to evaluate the risk of deep vein thrombosis or pulmonary embolism from NuvaRing. Researchers found that women using NuvaRing face a 6.5 times increased risk of venous thrombosis when compared to women taking no birth control pill, and roughly double the risk compared to use of levonorgestrel birth control pills.

The findings were published by the BMJ (British Medical Journal), examining the risk of venous thrombosis from NuvaRing and other alternatives to oral birth control pills. A venous thrombosis involves a blood clot that forms within a vein. This can include a deep vein thrombosis (which is a blood clot that forms in the deep veins of the leg or hip) or a pulmonary embolism (where the blood clot breaks off and can become lodged in the lungs). These blood clot injuries are very serious and may be potentially life-threatening.

  • Researchers looked at data on more than 1.6 million Danish women between the ages of 15 and 49, between 2001 and 2010. The women were all non-pregnant, without cancer or any prior history of blood clots or thrombotic disease.
  • The study involved nearly 10 million person years of follow-up
  • Side effects of NuvaRing were found to increase the risk of venous thrombosis 6.5 times compared with non-use of hormonal contraceptives
  • Users of NuvaRing suffered 7.8 incidents (deep vein thrombosis, pulmonary embolism) per 10,000 exposure years, which could have been reduced by using other forms of birth control.
  • NuvaRing may nearly double the risk of venous thrombosis compared to levonorgestrel birth control pills
  • Unlike combined contraceptive pills, there was no reduction in the risk associated with long-term use of the NuvaRing vaginal birth control ring.

In October 2011, an FDA study found that women who used NuvaRing were 56% more likely to suffer blood clots or venous thromoembolic events. In this most recent study, researchers pointed out:

“Supporting our and the FDA results is the three and five times increase in sex hormone binding globulin in users of vaginal ring contraceptive (NuvaRing) compared with users of combined oral contraceptives containing levonorgestrel, and the activated protein C sensitivity ratio 3.75 times higher than with oral contraceptives, both considered as surrogate markers for the risk of venous thrombosis.

NUVARING PULMONARY EMBOLISM AND DVT LAWSUITS

As we wrote on this blog earlier in the week, the manufacturers introduced this as an alternative to oral birth control pills and aggressively promoted the drug while failing to adequately research or warn about these NuvaRing risks. Unfortunately, many women could have avoided suffering a serious injury if they had avoided using NuvaRing to prevent pregnancy.

The manufacturers of the birth control ring had a duty to adequately research their product and warn about the potential risks. Despite a lack of any evidence to support their statements, they suggested that users of NuvaRing face a similar risk to what is associated with oral birth control pills, which it is now clear is not the case.

The NuvaRing lawyers at Saiontz & Kirk, P.A. previously reviewed potential claims for women and families throughout the United States.

NuvaRing cases are no longer being accepted.

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