Nuvaring Blood Clot | Nuva Ring Risks | Coumadin Side Effects

by Steve Fields on February 18th, 2009

Many women who have used Nuvaring birth control and developed a blood clot have been prescribed a blood thinner such as Coumadin or Lovenox. Blood thinners are usually prescribed for 3 to 6 months following diagnosis of a DVT or pulmonary embolism. Some women will experience Coumadin side effects which can include abnormal bleeding.

Coumadin, known generically as warfarin, is the second most common blood thinner or anticoagulant. It helps reduce the clotting ability of the blood by decreasing the amount of vitamin K available for use in the body, which in turn reduces the efficiency of blood clot formation by the body. Blood clots (venous thrombosis) can cause serious medical problems by moving to other parts of the body and blocking blood flow at another location, called venous thromboembolism. Blood clots typically manifest in the lower extremities but can occur in the abdomen, the veins of the brain, the upper extremities, and in superficial veins of the extremities. While Coumadin prevents blood clots from forming, it does not dissolve blood clots that have already formed. However, it may keep the blood clots from becoming larger and causing more serious problems.

Coumadin is prescribed when your body may be making blood clots or you have a medical condition known to promote unwanted blood clots. Conditions which increase your risk of developing blood clots include atrial fibrillation, a certain type of irregular heart rhythm, heart valve replacement, or a recent heart attack. Coumadin is often prescribed for patients with deep venous thrombosis, a condition in which harmful blood clots form in the blood vessels of the legs. These clots can travel to the lungs and lead to a pulmonary embolism. Many women on Nuva ring contraception have reported developing a DVT or pulmonary embolism when they had no other risk factors.

Coumadin tablets are round and scored, and are generally taken once a day, with or without food. Each tablet color represents a different strength (one to 10 mg), and in order to determine the correct dose, you will have to have blood tests performed periodically to monitor your response to the Coumadin therapy. The laboratory tests include the prothrombin time (PT or protime) test which is used to calculate your International Normalized Ratio (INR). This is an international measure of coagulation which attributes a value of 1.0 to people with a normal ability to clot. As the INR increases, it reflects that a person is less likely to form blood clots. Your INR helps determine how fast your blood is clotting and whether your dose needs to be adjusted.

Coumadin can have dangerous side effects or interactions that can place you at risk. The most common side effect is abnormal and sometimes profuse bleeding. People who take Coumadin must monitor stool color and seek medical attention if stools become black or tarry-appearing. Bleeding and easy bruising can occur anywhere in the body, however. It can also interact badly with some foods, especially those containing vitamin K, because it can prevent Coumadin from working properly and may leave you temporarily at a high risk of stroke. Coumadin can also interact badly with prescription medicines and over-the-counter drugs and supplements ranging from aspirin and ibuprofen to Gingko and Ginseng, so be sure to give your doctor a complete list of everything you are taking. Other side effects to look for include: skin conditions such as hives or a rash, swelling of the face, throat, mouth, legs, feet or hands, bruising that comes about without an injury, chest pain or pressure, nausea, vomiting, fever or flu-like symptoms, joint or muscle aches, diarrhea, difficulty moving, and numbness or tingling in any part of the body.

We represent all women suffering from a Nuvaring blood clot on a contingency basis which means that there are never any legal fees unless we win compensation in your case. For a free no-obligation consultation please call toll free at 1-888-343-5375 or fill out our short online contact form and a Nuvaring lawyer will contact you to answer any of your questions.