Many women do not realize that allergic reactions to birth control are possible, let alone know how to recognize or respond to them. The side effects of medications can be severe, ranging from anaphylaxis to brain tumors caused by Depo-Provera use. Unfortunately, many patients experience these adverse effects every year, which can range from mild symptoms to medical emergencies. If you have experienced an allergic reaction to a birth control pill, shot, patch, or another method, here is what you should do.
Know the Signs of an Allergic Reaction vs Side Effect
Every medication, including birth control, comes with the risk of side effects. Understanding the difference between a normal side effect and a potentially dangerous allergic reaction can be life-saving.
For hormonal birth control methods like the pill or the Depo-Provera shot, side effects typically occur as the body adjusts to hormonal changes and often include breast tenderness, nausea, or mood changes. An allergic reaction, however, involves the immune system’s response to a foreign substance and requires immediate medical attention.
A severe allergic reaction can be fatal. If you notice any of the following symptoms, go to the emergency room as soon as possible:
- Difficulty breathing
- Confusion
- Slurred speech
- Swelling in the mouth or throat
- Swelling in the face
- Severe abdominal pain
- Fainting or dizziness
- Coughing or wheezing
Common Symptoms of an Allergic Reaction to Birth Control
Different types of birth control can lead to different types of allergic reactions. For example, birth control patches can lead to contact dermatitis, which can cause skin redness, itching, burning, and scaling. Hormonal intrauterine devices (IUDs) may trigger reactions to materials like levonorgestrel, silicone, or polyethylene, resulting in itching, hives, and dizziness.
In rare cases, injectable birth control methods like Depo-Provera can cause life-threatening allergic reactions that may cause the immune system to launch a severe systemic response called anaphylaxis. This dangerous condition can lead to breathing difficulties, rapid pulse, and shock. Additionally, birth control implants can cause skin swelling and red, itchy lesions that worsen until the device is removed.
Seek Medical Care as Soon as Possible
If you experience symptoms of an allergic reaction to birth control, or any strange symptoms at all, seek medical attention as soon as possible. By seeking medical care, healthcare providers can quickly identify the reaction, prevent it from becoming severe, and provide appropriate treatment to protect your vital organs and overall health.
Additionally, if your allergic reaction resulted from inadequate warnings or defective birth control products, may have grounds for legal action against the manufacturer. Your medical records can demonstrate the severity of your reaction and the extent of medical care that you require, helping prove your right to compensation in a future lawsuit.
Follow Your Doctor’s Advice and Treatment Recommendations
After you have sought treatment, carefully follow your doctor’s orders. This helps prevent complications and ensures that you properly recover from the reaction. Additionally, following prescribed treatments demonstrates that you took reasonable steps to minimize your damages, which strengthens your legal case.
Attend all follow-up appointments and keep detailed records of how the allergic reaction continues to affect your daily life, including any ongoing symptoms or limitations. If you were prescribed alternative birth control methods or treatments for the allergic reaction, maintain records of these prescriptions and any associated costs.
Evaluate the Medication’s Label
Carefully review all product packaging and inserts for warnings about allergic reactions and listed ingredients. Note whether adequate warnings were provided about potential allergens and proper instructions for recognizing and responding to allergic reactions. If the packaging seems incomplete or unclear, preserve it as evidence.
Check whether the manufacturer listed known allergens and potential cross-reactions with other medications. This information can help you determine whether the pharmaceutical company met its duty to warn consumers about potential risks and whether you have grounds to file a legal claim.
Document Your Symptoms and Save All Records
Maintaining detailed records can help strengthen your potential legal case. With this evidence, you can more clearly demonstrate the extent of your injuries and their impact on your life. Additionally, you can establish evidence of manufacturer negligence by documenting whether the product packaging contained proper warnings about allergic reactions and comparing your symptoms to any known risks that should have been disclosed.
Make sure to:
- Save all medical documentation, including emergency room visits, doctor’s appointments, and test results.
- Keep a symptom diary noting the dates, times, and severity of your allergic reactions.
- Photograph any visible symptoms like rashes, swelling, or skin changes.
- Preserve the birth control packaging, inserts, and prescription information.
- Document all communications with healthcare providers, including follow-up instructions and treatment recommendations.
Speak to an Attorney About Your Potential Legal Options
Birth control manufacturers have a legal obligation to produce safe products and warn about potential risks. When these obligations are not met, you can file a lawsuit against the manufacturer and recover compensation for your medical expenses, lost wages, and other damages. However, not every allergic reaction gives rise to a legal claim; these reactions may occur even when manufacturers have provided appropriate warnings and followed all safety protocols.
This is why you should speak to a medication injury lawyer as soon as possible. An attorney can evaluate whether the manufacturer:
- Failed to provide adequate warnings about potential allergic reactions
- Did not properly test the product for allergic responses
- Knew about allergic reaction risks but didn’t inform consumers
- Used ingredients known to cause severe allergic reactions without proper warnings
After evaluating your case, your lawyer will explain your legal options and begin preparing your lawsuit for filing. They may gather additional evidence, such as expert medical opinions and documentation of similar reactions reported by other users. Then, they will either send a demand letter to the manufacturer or file your lawsuit in court, all with the goal of recovering fair compensation.
Discuss Your Next Steps with Shapiro Legal Group, PLLC
If you have experienced a severe allergic reaction to birth control, you may be entitled to compensation. At Shapiro Legal Group, PLLC, we focus extensively on dangerous medication cases and understand the complex nature of birth control injuries. Contact us at (800) 220-0984 for a free consultation to explore your legal options and learn how we can help protect your rights.