Problems with Yaz, Yasmin Highlight That Newer Drugs Are Not Always Better

Austin Kirk

By Austin Kirk
Posted September 3, 2010

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A recent story by National Public Radio describes the growing concerns about problems with Yaz and highlights how a newer birth control pill does not mean it is better. The lawyers at Saiontz & Kirk, P.A. represent women throughout the United States who are pursuing a Yaz lawsuit or Yasmin lawsuit against Bayer, alleging that the drug maker failed to adequately research their “fourth generation” pill or warn about the increased risk of serious and potentially life-threatening injuries.

>>MORE INFO: Answers to Frequently Asked Questions
by our Yaz and Yasmin Lawyers

Yasmin and Yaz both contain a new form of progestin, known as drosperinone, which is not used in any other birth control pills in the United States other than generic versions of Yaz or Yasmin. It is combined with a form of estrogen to prevent pregnancy, but studies have shown that Yasmin and Yaz may be less safe and no more effective than older birth control pills.

Despite the fact that Yaz was new and untested, Bayer engaged in an aggressive marketing campaign that targeted consumers. While the FDA has found these ads were deceptive and required the drug maker to run a $20 million corrective ad campaign in early 2009, they were effective in making women believe that the newer birth control pill was better.

Shortly after it came out in 2006, Yaz became the number one selling birth control pill in America, generating $800 million in sales last year.

In the past year, as concerns about health problems from Yaz and Yasmin have increased and a growing number of Yaz blood clot lawsuits have been filed, sales of the birth control pills have fallen substantially.

Amid falling sales for Yaz and Yasmin, Bayer is now preparing to repeat the cycle again and come out with another “all new” birth control pill. This one is being called Natazia, and will contain a form of estrogen that has never been used in birth control pills along with a new pill schedule for women taking the drug.

According to the NPR story:

To some, that might be an argument for caution. When a new birth control pill comes out, no one really knows how millions of women will react to it. Pre-market studies of Natazia involved only about 3,000 women. The unknowns are even greater when a contraceptive contains hormones and combinations never used before.

NPR then quotes Dr. Frits Rosendaal, a dutch clotting expert:

“Personally, I would not start using a new drug unless it’s proven to be better,” Rosendaal says. “Because we know that all drugs have side effects, and we also know that for newer ones which have not yet ben used by millions of people, the side effects are generally unknown.”

ATTORNEYS FOR YAZ AND YASMIN LAWSUITS

Potential lawsuits are being reviewed by our attorneys for women throughout the United States who have suffered any of the following injuries as a side effect of Yaz or Yasmin:

To review a potential claim for yourself, a friend or family member, request a free consultation and claim evaluation.

1 Comment • Add Your Comments

  • wally says:

    I am writing this letter to help those who are suffering the effects of prescription drugs, and offer them a safe, effective alternative. Seven weeks ago, my sister went into another of her schizoaffective disorder-related relapses. Deciding that this would be a good opportunity to try something different, I began tapering her off her anti-psych meds, that were giving her horrible side-effects, and at the same time, started her on herbal therapies. After the tapering was over, I began with the detox vitamins and Omega-3. It’s been almost a month, now, since the tapering ended, and she is much better now, and improving every day. Please, go to a naturopath, and get off the toxic pharmaceuticals! Cure the disease, don’t just cover it up! And don’t be fooled, as half of Americans are, by the drug companies. They are only interested in huge profits, and pleasing their shareholders.

    Posted on September 10, 2010 at 11:03 am

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