Women take birth control pills to avoid pregnancy, and sometimes to manage certain hormone related health conditions. They are counseled that, as with any medication, there are some risks. However, the risks involved with the use of Yaz® and Yasmin® birth control pills are far greater than patients were led to believe. If you have used Yaz® or Yasmin® birth control pills and experienced serious side effects, you may be eligible for compensation for your medical expenses, as well as pain and suffering. Contact a defective drug lawyer today.
Not Just Birth Control
While Yaz® was prescribed for women needing contraception, it was also recommended by many doctors as a treatment for moderate acne and/or premenstrual syndrome. Women with either of these two conditions may have been prescribed Yaz® or Yasmin® rather than another type of birth control pill without drospirenone specifically to address acne or PMS.
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Yaz® History
Yaz®, manufactured by Bayer Pharmaceuticals, is virtually the same as the Yasmin birth control pill. Both contain ethinyl estradiol and drospirenone, with Yaz® containing a slightly lower amount of the former drug. However, it is drospirenone which allegedly causes the often severe and sometimes fatal Yaz® side effects. Drospirenone is a female sex hormone known as a progestin. Yasmin became available to women in 2001, while Yaz® was introduced in 2006. In both 2008 and 2009, these were the top selling birth control pills in the United States. Yaz® and Yasmin® are the only birth control pills containing drospirenone marketed in the United States, but there are generic versions of both medications. Generic names include:
- Ocella
- Beyaz
- Gianvi
- Loryna
- Syeda
- Zarah
FDA Warnings
In 2009, the FDA warned Bayer Pharmaceuticals to stop downplaying the drug’s risks and overstating its benefits for treating acne and PMS. In response, the company released a series of ads to clear these alleged misstatements. In 2011, the FDA decided that labeling for Yasmin and Yaz® was inadequate and required updating in order to reflect risks. However, Yaz®, Yasmin®, and their generic formulations are still on the market today.
Yaz® Side Effects
Women taking Yaz® have experienced various side effects, some that are potentially life threatening. These include, but are not limited to:
- Stroke
- Heart attack
- Myocardial infarction
- High blood pressure
- Cardiac arrhythmia
- Deep vein thrombosis
- Blood clots
- Pulmonary embolism
- Gallbladder disease
- Sudden death
Women who smoke while taking Yaz® are at an increased risk for side effects.
A British study, published in 2011, found that women prescribed Yaz® had a risk of blood clots twice that of those taking birth control pills without drospirenone. That same year, a study funded by the FDA found an increase in blood clots of approximately 75 percent in Yaz®/Yasmin® users.
Contact the Goldwater Law Firm Today
As of the time of publication, nearly 16,000 Yaz® patients have filed suit against Bayer Pharmaceuticals. Surviving family members, such as a woman’s parents or spouse, can sue for wrongful death. These lawsuits are not class action suits, but multidistrict litigation suits. In MDLs, every plaintiff has an individual suit against the drug manufacturer. If you or a woman you know has suffered from Yaz® side effects, call the Goldwater Law Firm immediately. Our attorneys will evaluate the details of your case and make sure you understand your rights and options before moving forward as part of a Yaz® lawsuit. Contact the Goldwater Law Firm today.