Represented by the destruction of cardiac tissue, heart attacks are the direct result of an obstructed blood supply to the heart. Should the blockage be severe enough, the heart will ultimately fail, causing catastrophic complications. Heart attacks represent a leading cause of death in the United States. However, certain outside factors may increase the already paramount rate in which they occur. Women who receive Safyral treatment may significantly increase their risk of suffering from a heart attack.
If you or a loved one has suffered from a heart attack after taking Safyral, you should contact our lawyers immediately for a free confidential case evaluation. You may be entitled to compensation for your injuries and we can help.
Safyral Heart Attack Lawsuit Overview
Approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2010, Bayer’s Safyral is indicated to assist in the prevention of pregnancy. Subsequently, when taken as directed, Safyral has proven to be 99% effective. Having demonstrated a unique propensity for contraception, Safyral is also used in the treatment of moderate acne and premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD).
Safyral combines three unique active ingredients, drospirenone, ethinyl estradiol, and levomefolate. Both drospirenone and ethinyl estradiol work together to prevent ovulation (the release of an egg from an ovary) and also cause changes in your cervical and uterine lining, making it harder for sperm to reach the uterus and harder for a fertilized egg to attach to the uterus. The introduction of levomefolate, a B vitamin, helps prevent a rare birth defect that could occur from the high folate levels created by Safyral.
Unfortunately, recent studies have begun to associate drospirenone treatment with severe complications. Members of a recent FDA Advisory Committee have acknowledged that drospirenone-containing products such as Safyral may lead to the development of severe blood clots. Otherwise known as deep vein thrombosis (DVT), these blood clots may result in a severe, life-threatening heart attack. Subsequently, Safyral heart attack lawsuits are currently pending against Bayer.
Safyral Heart Attack
Myocardial infarction (MI) or acute myocardial infarction (AMI), commonly known as a heart attack, results from the interruption of blood supply to a part of the heart, causing heart cells to die. This is most commonly due to a blockage in a coronary artery that prohibits proper blood flow to the heart. The resulting ischemia (restriction in blood supply) and ensuing oxygen shortage, if left untreated for a sufficient period of time, can cause damage or death of heart muscle tissue. If deprived of oxygen and nutrients for long enough, the heart will eventually fail.
The following signs and symptoms may indicate an imminent heart attack:
- Chest pain or discomfort
- Upper body pain
- Stomach pain
- Shortness of breath
- Anxiety
- Lightheadedness
- Sweating
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Heartburn
- Clammy skin
- Unusual or unexplained fatigue
FDA Safety Communication
According to an FDA Safety Communication, the agency is aware of two newly published studies that evaluated the risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE) in women who use birth control pills that contain drospirenone. The two recently published studies looked at whether there is a higher risk of blood clots in women taking birth control pills containing the progestin drospirenone when compared to similar women taking birth control pills containing a different progestin called levonorgestrel. These two new studies reported that there is a greater risk of VTE associated with birth control pills that contain drospirenone. Unfortunately, the presence of a severe VTE may lead to the development of several life-threatening complications, one of which is a heart attack.
Other Fourth Generation Contraceptives
The following fourth generation contraceptives contain drospirenone and may also significantly increase the risk of heart attack:
- Yasmin
- Ocella
- Gianvi
- Yaz
- Beyaz
- Loryna
Do I Have a Safyral Heart Attack Lawsuit?
The trial lawyers at The Senators (Ret.) Firm, LLP have decades of experience navigating through complex legislative and regulatory issues and litigating high stakes cases all over the nation. Our law firm focuses on the representation of plaintiffs in Safyral heart attack lawsuits. We are currently accepting new cases in all 50 states.
Again, if you or a loved one has suffered from a heart attack after taking Safyral, you should contact our lawyers immediately by clicking the link below or calling toll free 1-(949) 557-5800. You may be entitled to compensation for your injuries and we can help.