US consumer group Public Citizen is petitioning the Food and Drug Administration to ban certain types of birth control pills. The group wants pills containing the synthetic progestin hormone desogestrel taken off the market because users face an increased risk of blood clots.
Third generation birth control pills double the risk of blood clots and venous thrombosis without preventing pregnancy any more effectively than older formulas.
The consumer group suggests some birth control pills, notably Mircette and other "third generation" pills made by Barr Pharmaceuticals Inc., Watson Pharmaceuticals Inc. and others, should be banned by US regulators to reduce the risk of life-threatening blood clots. Women who take Mircette containing desogestrel face twice the risk of developing blood clots, usually in the legs, as users of other contraceptive drugs.
Mircette Birth Control Pills in the News
Desogestrel Legal Help
If you or a loved one has suffered blood clots or other damages after taking desogestrel-containing Birth Control pills, you may qualify for damages or remedies that may be awarded in a possible class action or lawsuit. Please fill in our form on the right to submit your complaint to a lawyer for a free evaluation.
I lost my teenage daughter to blood clots caused by the Birth control drug reclipsen. She was not even sexually active. She was given the drug to help control pain and cramping due to her monthly period. Please please do not take this drug!
Posted by Amanda
on
Just over 1 year ago I went through a horrific medical event, one that almost claimed my life because of Birth Control.
Long story short - On December 9th, 2017 I went to the ER because I had what i thought was a severe migraine. They treated and released me. Only to go back on December 11th - i was then transferred and admitted to a bigger hospital.They had found blood clots in my brain so severe I had to have surgery and it ultimately saved my life. I spent 2 long weeks in the hospital. And another month recovering at home. I have been through a crazy amount of genetic tests, etc and all this point ALL of my doctors blame my Birth Control 100%. And surprisingly I have no lasting side effects. Though I am told I am a rare case, and they dont know for sure what if any side effects i may have.
I was taking Apri - and was on it for 10-11 years. I am now 35. And about 8 years ago had an injury to my leg that resulted in a DVT that the doctors now believe happened because of the birth control and not the injury. My doctors at the time, a large group of OB/GYNs) DID NOT take me off of the drug!!! I have also found out, that once you reach your 30s, if you still need/want Birth Control your doctor should change the type you are on. Apri is a high does synthetic estrogen (therefore clot risk) - your body changes in your 30s and can put you at a higher risk. Something my doctor never mentioned. At my GYN i never saw the same person at my check ups so Needless to say I am no longer going to that doctor.
The Hospital tested me for every clotting disorder known, including the odd-ball ones. Negative on EVERYTHING. The only thing they could not rule out was the Apri. I am no longer taking any birth control. And while that has been an interesting experience to say the least, I know I am one of the lucky ones.
I have been researching lawsuits, if for nothing else than to get the word out there. You think the warnings cant happen to you...until it does. They tell me there are birth controls that are "safe" - but it is not worth my life. And I want nothing more than to let people know that this CAN and DID happen. REALLY talk to your doctor, and do your homework before just accepting whatever they give you.
Posted by Judiann ewing
on
I almost didn’t go to the hospital because i thought i had pulled a muscle in the right calf but the pain was so bad that i could not hardly walk. I hopped all the way o the emergency room from my car. I ended up with blood clots in my leg and lungs i am now on a blood thinner eliquis for life witch is so expensive. All because i took a birth control called kariva for 2 weeks
Posted by Tara Croteau
on
I was taking Apri when I went in the hospital a few weeks ago to find out I had a 90% block to my right lung and my left lung has several clots. I also have clots in my leg. I was in ICU and in fear I was going to die. The clot buster worked thank God and I am now on blood thinner. I am seeing currently specialists and going through tests to see If it caused damage to my heart and lungs.
I am suffering from chest pain, shortness of breathe and leg pain . The doctors think my clots will go away in 3-6 months time and they are sure that I will be on blood thinner the rest of my life. I also was not a smoker ever in my life. I am going on my 4th week out of work and I'm suffering from anxiety because I have 2 children to support but I am not cleared by my Doctor to go back to work nor do I feel ready. My life will never be the same. I will never be the same.
Please warn every woman you know not to take this pill. This is an estrogen only pill I believe, just f.y.i
Please be safe
Posted by Kimberly
on
26, never smoked, healthy as can be, and no family history of clots and had a blood clot in my brain and had a stroke after being on Apri birth control for 2 week. DO NOT TAKE THIS PILL.
Posted by Laura Femia Buccellato
on
My 16yr old daughter was on this pill for a month and a half. Within 45 minutes of feeling ill, my child was dead. A simple blood test that doctors are told not to tell people about before going on birth control would have saved my child's life. Please if you know anyone going on birth control have them take a blood test first and when doctors say it is not needed, DEMAND IT. Blood clot disorders are NOT uncommon, but they are not known of by people because insurance companies tell the doctors not to disclose the information. My child is a statistic to them, her death meant nothing to them. As for me, I died with my daughter on August 16 2010. Her death was preventable, but our medical industry is all about money now, not saving lives.
Posted by Tim
on
Our daughter passed away in September 2011, two weeks before she turned 21, from a blood clot / thrombosis in her brain after having started taking Mitrcette.
Nothing is worse than losing a daughter and our daughter losing her big sister.
Don't take desogestrel or drospirenone based products.
Before starting any product make sure to get screened for Factor V Leiden.
This could save your life or your child's.
Posted by Little Genesee NY
on
My daughter was just 24 years old and has 2 beautiful little girls. She died May 21st 2016 from a pulmonary embolism (bloodclot) after taking Apri since Dec 2015. Our family is devastated!!!Please do not take this medication
Posted by Ohio
on
I was taking Apri birth control which contains desogestrel and now have deep veinous thrombosis and have been having to take blood thinners for the past 3 months. I recently found out I still have the clots and have to take thinners for 3 more months or until the clots are gone. I am only 21 years old and have no family history of blood clots. I am in my senior year of college and missed nearly a month of school and work because of my DVT. I also now have to get blood work done weekly while I am taking Coumadin. The ordeal has costed me much in the ways of both valuable time and monetarily.
Posted by Michigan
on
I was off of work for a month. I continue to have pain in my leg (a year later) due to the damage to my veins as a result of the clot.
Posted by Missouri
on
I went to the emergency room on 10/9 because my leg was swollen, purple, and in a great amount of pain. I got admitted to the hospital and they determined I had a DVT (blood clot in leg) that extended all the way from my hip to my ankle. They determined my blood clot was due to my birth control pill called Reclipsen. I have had no other health problems and am NOT a smoker. I am only 22 years old so this has been pretty devastating. I would like to see if I have a case against Reclipsen. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thank you very much for your time.
Posted by Idaho
on
I have no history of clots in my family, yet I ended up being hospitalized on my birthday having clots in my lungs. The clots were large and actually caused a small portion of my lung to collapse. That part may or may not come back. It was a costly experience. I had to pay for expensive Lovenox (heparin) shots, and take coumadin (warfarin) for 6 months. Now I am considered a "high risk" by insurance companies so now I can never have independent insurance. The birth control pills say that you are only at high risk for blood clots if you are a smoker and over 35. I am 22 and have never smoked a single cigarette in my life.
Posted by Ohio
on
On 1/29/08, i was hospitalized with blood clots in my right calf area, behind my knee, and above my knee. I had to walk on a cane for 3 months. I still have swelling in that leg as a result of the blood clot.
Posted by Pennsylvania
on
I still suffer from pain in my right leg and shortness of breath. I was given TPA and a Greenfield filter while in ICU. I was told by pulmonologist that he thought that I would die overnight.
I have to take Coumadin, probably for life.
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Third generation birth control pills double the risk of blood clots and venous thrombosis without preventing pregnancy any more effectively than older formulas.
