Lawsuits you should know about

Back in October of 2008 this website reported that lawsuits have been filed against Organon, the manufacturer of the NuvaRing birth control product.  Since that time more people have filed suits against the maker of this popular birth control product.

In March 2010 three women in Texas who used the NuvaRing birth control product filed lawsuits against Organon and Merck & Co.  All three women alleged that the use of this product caused them to suffer from several different injuries, including pulmonary embolism and deep vein thrombosis (DVT).  The lawsuit alleges the manufacturers of this product did not adequately warn users of the potential dangerous side effects.

The NuvaRing is a vaginal ring used for contraception.  It is only available by prescription.  The ring is inserted by the user and for a period of three weeks releases a measured dose of estrogen and progesterone.  After the three week period the woman removes the ring and has a normal menstrual period.  Known side effects include vaginitis, headache, upper respiratory tract infections, nausea and weight gain.  Women who are older, smoke, have recently had surgery or a history of cardiovascular disease are at a higher risk for problems such as stroke or heart attack.

Since our original article hundreds of lawsuits have been filed against the makers of the NuvaRing product.  All of the lawsuits claim that the manufacturers failed to warn users of potentially dangerous and deadly side effects such as an increased risk of stroke, cardiovascular problems. pulmonary embolism, and DVT.

In March of 2010 the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) notified health care professionals that it was the recommendation of the FDA to temporarily suspend the use of the Rotarix vaccine Rotarix is a vaccine given to children to prevent rotavirus disease. 

The FDA has learned that DNA from porcine circovirus type 1 (PCV1) is present in Rotarix.  Right now there is no known evidence that the PCV1 virus causes disease in humans nor that there is a safety risk with the vaccine.  The recommendation to suspend the use of the Rotarix virus was a precaution by the FDA while it investigates the situation.  It is expected that the FDA will make further recommendations regarding the use of this vaccine in the next four to six weeks.

Rotavirus is a virus that causes severe diarrhea and dehydration in young infants.  There are two vaccines for rotavirus available currently in the US – Rotarix and RotaTeq.  If your child received his or her first vaccine of Rotarix the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) have indicated that the vaccine series can be completed using RotaTeq (two additional doses).

Since available evidence supports the safety of Rotarix the FDA has stated that no medical follow up is necessary for patients who have received this vaccine.