Nexplanon Lawsuits in Florida
Nexplanon is a non-oral birth control medication that is implanted under the skin of a woman’s upper arm. Nexplanon is a progestin-only contraceptive, and is the newer version of Implanon. Approved for sale in 2011 by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Nexplanon has been recently linked to a 40 percent increase in blood clots in women who use this medication. Currently in Florida Nexplanon lawsuits are being accepted due to the high rate of blood clot problems associated with its use.
Overview of Nexplanon
Nexplanon is a match-sized device that is implanted under the skin of a woman’s arm where it slowly releases progestin into the system. Progestin, a natural hormone found in a woman’s body, in larger doses can prevent a pregnancy from occurring.
Progestin thickens the mucus layer surrounding the cervix, making it harder for sperm to penetrate the area. This hormone also inhibits or disrupts the ovulation cycle. Because of this disruption, if a sperm does get through to the womb, there is very little chance that there will be an egg present to fertilize. At this time, the chances of becoming pregnant while using this contraceptive are less than one in one hundred.
Nexplanon was approved for sale by the FDA in November 2011, and was intended as a replacement for Implanon, a similar contraceptive offered by the pharmaceutical company Merck. The only difference in the two medications is that the newer version, Nexplanon, is considered radio-opaque. What this means is that it contains a small amount of barium in the device, a non-toxic material to humans, which allows x-rays and CT scans to locate the device within the body.
Common Side Effects
There are several side effects that have been associated with this type of contraceptive, with blood clots being the most severe and dangerous of the list. Investigators for Florida Nexplanon lawsuits list the following side effects as the most common:
- Blood Clots
- Irregular Bleeding
- Weight Gain
- Abdominal Pain and Bloating
- Headaches
- Acne
- Breast Tenderness or Pain
- Depression
- Vaginal Infections
It should be noted that there is a 40% increase in the possibility of a blood clot forming in the body when using this medication. A blood clot can cause damage to the vein in which it forms or can break free and travel throughout the body. A blood clot that moves throughout the body can settle within the organs and cause organ failure. Additionally, blood clots can lead to a pulmonary embolism (blood clot in the lungs), heart attack (blood clot in the heart), stroke (blood clot in the brain), or death.
Recent Medical Data Supporting the Need for Florida Nexplanon Lawsuits
A study published in the British Medical Journal conducted by a Danish facility shows that there is a significant increase, 40%, in the amount of blood clots that form in women who use a non-oral contraceptive. This study indicates that the only non-oral contraceptive that does not fall into this category is the intrauterine device (IUD). The study also shows that the risk for blood clot formation increases in women over 35 or those who smoke. This study is just one of many conducted on the dangers of this medication and is not the only study being cited in Florida Nexplanon lawsuits.
Do You Qualify for Florida Nexplanon Lawsuits?
If you have been injured in any manner by taking Nexplanon, you may qualify to be a part of any Florida Nexplanon lawsuits that are taking place. At this time, each of the Florida Nexplanon lawsuits is being reviewed as individual cases and are not a part of any group action. The experienced attorneys affiliated with Attorney Group for Florida can help you with your Florida Nexplanon lawsuits as they have helped many others who have been injured by this dangerous drug. Contact our office today for a free, no obligation consultation.
