As Mirena lawsuits continue to move forward in both state and federal courts, attorneys note that a new Mirena side effects study has found that the bleeding and spotting that sometimes occurs in the months after insertion of the levonorgestrel-releasing IUD (sold under the brand name Mirena) could not be relieved with medication. The study, published online April 5 in Obstetrics & Gynecology, was designed to identify a 25% reduction in the number of bleeding or spotting days for the first 3 months following insertion of the IUD. However, the study found that the administration of one of two drugs commonly used to treat heavy menstrual bleeding and menstrual pain only reduced the number of bleeding days by six and three, respectively.
This study is just another reminder of the Mirena side effects that can occur in women who use this IUD. In addition to the bleeding described in this report, numerous women who allegedly suffered more serious complications, including organ damage, infections and other problems associated with the spontaneous migration of a Mirena IUD
The Foulston Law Firm currently offers free legal evaluations to women who suffered serious Mirena side effects, including uterine perforations, stemming from the migration of Mirena.
Mirena IUD Lawsuits
The Mirena IUD was approved by the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) for contraception in 2000, and in 2009, for the treatment of heavy menstrual bleeding in women who wish to use an IUD as their method of birth control. The small, plastic t-shaped device is inserted into the uterus by a healthcare provider, where it may remain for up to 5 years, releasing a low-dose of the synthetic progestin, levonorgestrel. Since coming on the market, statistics from the FDA indicate that Mirena side effects have been cited in thousands of adverse event reports made to the agency. Device migration was the second most-common Mirena complication reported to the FDA.
According to a Transfer Order dated April 8th, the U.S. Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation has transferred all federally-filed Mirena lawsuits to U.S. District Court, Southern District of New York for pretrial proceedings. According to the Order, more than 40 Mirena IUD lawsuits have been filed in 17 federal jurisdictions, all of which allege Mirena migrated away from its original position in the uterus, leading to uterine perforations and other serious Mirena side effects. Plaintiffs further allege Bayer Healthcare Pharmaceuticals failed to provide adequate warnings regarding the risk of device migration and related side effects. (In re: Mirena IUD Products Liability Litigation, MDL No. 2434 (JPML)
Court documents also indicate that at least 47 Mirena lawsuits are pending in New Jersey Superior Court. In August 2012, Bayer filed an application with the New Jersey Supreme Court seeking the establishment of a consolidated litigation for all Mirena IUD lawsuits filed in the state in Middlesex County. While the request was rejected, plaintiffs in in those claims recently filed a new application with the Court asking it to reconsider. ****
Alleged victims of Mirena side effects caused by spontaneous migration of the IUD may be entitled to file their own Mirena lawsuit seeking compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and more.
Contact the Foulston Law Office for more information on this topic.