Researchers with the FDA, Kaiser Permanent, Vanderbilt University and the University of Washington found that women who used NuvaRing were 56% more likely to suffer blood clots and venous thomboembolic events (VTEs), according to data released (PDF) by the FDA in October 2011.

The study evaluated medical data on about 800,000 women from 2001 to 2007. Not only did researchers identifiy an increased risk of NuvaRing blood clots, but also found an increased risk of heart attacks and strokes with the newer birth control product.

NuvaRing is a one-monthly device that is inserted into the vagina to prevent pregnancy. The device releases a stream of ethinyl estradiol (EE) and etonogestrel for three weeks. Etonogestral is known as a “third generation” progestin, and has been linked to several health concerns.

While the manufacturers have suggested that the risk of blood clots from NuvaRing is similar to that found with birth control pills, it appears that women are exposed to higher levels of estrogen than provided by some oral contraceptives, which could be partially responsible for the increased blood clot risk with NuvaRing birth control.

NUVARING BLOOD CLOT LAWSUIT

As a result of the drug maker’s failure to adequately research the birth control ring or warn about the extent of the NuvaRing blood clot risk, financial compensation may be available for women who have experienced a:

• Pulmonary Embolism
• Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT)
• Heart Attack
• Stroke
• Sudden Death

Free consultations and claim evaluations are being provided to help women and their families determine if they may be eligible for a NuvaRing blood clot lawsuit. All cases are pursued through a contingency fee, which means that there are never any out-of-pocket expenses for our NuvaRing law firm to represent you and we receive no attorney fees unless we obtain a recovery. To review a case for yourself, a friend or family member, request a free consultation and claim evaluation.

▸ Yaz and Yasmin Lawsuit Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

The Reproductive Health Drugs Advisory Committee and the Drug Safety and Risk Management Advisory Committee are meeting to discuss the risks and benefits of drospirenone birth control pills after a number of studies have suggested that side effects of Yaz, Yasmin and related medications may increase the risk of blood clots and other venous thromboembolic events (VTEs) by as much as three times over contraceptives containing levonorgestrel.

Although many former users of the birth control pill believe that a Yaz and Yasmin recall should be issued, it is extremely unlikely that the advisory panel will make such a recommendation. Rather, it appears that best hope is that the group of outside experts will recommend that the FDA force Bayer to add stronger warnings to the labels to ensure that users and the medical community are aware that use of Yasmin, Yaz or other drospirenone-based birth control pills could substantially increase the risk of blood clots when compared to some older pills.

The lawyers at Saiontz & Kirk, P.A. represent women throughout the United States who are pursuing a Yaz lawsuit or Yasmin lawsuit after suffering a serious or fatal injury. It has been several years since the first cases were filed against Bayer, alleging that they failed to adequately warn about the risk of blood clots, and Bayer continues to provide confusing Yasmin and Yaz warnings that fail to provide accurate information about the dangers.

Drospirenone is a newer “fourth” generation progestin which appears to provide limited benefits over other birth control pills, while causing a substantial increase in the risk of serious and potentially life-threatening injuries. As a result of aggressive marketing by Bayer, the Yaz family of birth control pills have become top sellers, generating billions in sales. Unfortunately, it appears that Bayer has placed their desire for profits before the safety of consumers by minimizing the risks associated with their products. As a result, financial compensation through a Yaz settlement may be available for users who have suffered:

• Stroke or Heart Attack
• Pulmonary Embolism
• Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT)
• Gallbladder Disease
• Wrongful Death

In addition to Yaz and Yasmin, the law firm of Saiontz & Kirk, P.A. is also investigating potential claims for individuals who experienced problems from Beyaz, which is a newer version that contains a folate supplement. Lawsuits are also being pursued for generic Yaz and generic Yasmin equivalents, which have been marketed as Ocella, Gianvi, Loryna, Safyral, Syeda and Zarah.

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

>>ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: Yaz Health Risks

The segment features the story of Carissa Ubersox, an otherwise healthy young woman, who suffered a double pulmonary embolism from Yaz birth control, causing her to fall into a coma for two weeks and leaving her blind.

Ubersox and millions of other women started using Yaz after aggressive advertisements and marketing efforts by Bayer, which provided false and misleading information about the benefits of the pill and the potential health risks with Yaz. In 2008, the FDA indicated that the Bayer Yaz advertisement were misleading and downplayed the risks, forcing the drug maker to run $20 million worth of corrective advertisements that had to be approved by the agency.

Although Bayer continues to maintain that Yaz, Yasmin and other birth control pills manufactured by the company containing drospirenone carry the same health risks as other birth control pills, several studies have suggested that women taking Yaz face an increased risk of a blood clot, pulmonary embolism, deep vein thrombosis, stroke and gallbladder disease.

An FDA Advisory Panel is scheduled to meet in December 2011 to review the potential safety concerns with Yaz. The Panel will review the available data on Yaz, and determine what regulatory actions the agency should take to protect consumers from the potential risk of health problems caused by Yaz and Yasmin.

YAZ BIRTH CONTROL LAWYERS

The lawyers at Saiontz & Kirk, P.A. represent women throughout the United States who are pursuing a lawsuit over Yaz after suffering injuries like a:

• Stroke or Heart Attack
• Pulmonary Embolism
• Deep Vein Thrombosis
• Gallbladder Problems

To review a potential claim with our Yaz birth control lawyers for yourself, a friend or family member, request a free consultation and claim evaluation.

>>FDA LINK: Yaz, Yasmin and Beyaz Blood Clot Risk Safety Communication

Notice of the safety review into a possible risk of blood clots with birth control pills containing drospirenone was released by the FDA on May 31, providing additional information for women taking the medications.

Included in the warning are all drospirenone birth control pills, which may be sold as:

• Yasmin (generic names Ocella, Syeda and Zarah)
• Yaz (generic names Gianvi and Loryna)
• Beyaz

The safety review was initiated based on two published studies that reported there is a greater risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE) among women taking Yaz, Yasmin or other drospirenone birth control pills. The risk has been reported to be up to 2 to 3 times greater than the risk associated with levonorgestrel birth control pills. Federal drug regulators are evaluating the results of these studies, and comparing them with other studies sponsored by the drug manufacturers, whcih have not reported an increased risk.

While the investigation is continuing, the FDA has recommended that women contact their doctor if they have any questions or concerns about their birth control pill and the agency is recommending that patients not stop taking their birth control pill without first speaking with their healthcare professional.

Symptoms of a blood clot on Beyaz, Yaz, Yasmin or another drospirenone birth control pill could include:

• Persistent Leg Pain
• Severe Chest Pain
• Sudden Shortness of Breath

YAZ, YASMIN AND BEYAZ BIRTH CONTROL LAWSUIT

The Yaz, Yasmin and Beyaz Lawyers at Saiontz & Kirk, P.A. are continuing to review potential claims for women who have suffered a serious injury after using a drospirenone birth control pill. Although information has been available for some time about the increased risk of blood clots and other injuries, the drug makers have placed their desire for profits before consumer safety by failing to provide adequate warnings about the increased risk of problems with Yaz, Yasmin or Beyaz in comparison to other available birth control pills.

Potential Yaz, Yasmin and Beyaz lawsuits are being reviewed for women who have suffered a:

• Stroke or Heart Attack
• Pulmonary Embolism
• Deep Vein Thrombosis
• Gallbladder Problems
• Sudden Death

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

>>MORE INFORMATION: Beyaz, Yaz and Yasmin Side Effects

While Bayer has attempted to dismiss the claims presented by thousands of women throughout the United States and minimize the risks associated with Yaz, Yasmin, Beyaz and other pills containing drospirenone, one new study published this month suggests that women may face double the risk of blood clots from the birth control pills and another suggests that women may face a 20% higher risk of gallbladder disease.

In the blood clot study, published last week in the British Medical Journal, researchers from Boston indicated that Beyaz, Yaz and Yasmin should not be the first choice of birth control pill for women, due to the double risk when compared to women taking older pills containing levonorgestrel. For women under 30 years old taking the drospirenone-based pills, they were at almost five times the risk of blood clots than if they were taking levonorgestrel, leading the researchers to conclude:

These findings support more recent studies that suggest that drospirenone oral contraceptives are not as safe as levonorgestrel oral contraceptives with respect to venous thromboembolism and, in the absence of other considerations, should not be the first choice in oral contraception.

These findings were published just days after a different study on the risk of gallbladder disease from Beyaz, Yaz and Yasmin side effects was published by the Canadian Medical Association Journal. In that study, researchers determined that there was a statistically signficant increased risk of Beyaz, Yaz or Yasmin causing gallbladder disease when compared to use of levonorgestrel-based birth control pills.

YASMIN, YAZ AND BEYAZ SIDE EFFECT LAWSUITS

Thousands of women throughout the United States are pursuing a lawsuit over Beyaz, Yaz and Yasmin, including generic equivalents, alleging that side effects of the birth control pills caused:

• Stroke or Heart Attack
• Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT)
• Pulmonary Embolism (PE)
• Gallbladder Disease
• Sudden Death

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

>>MORE INFORMATION: Yaz & Yasmin Lawyer Answers to FAQ

Bayer holds its annual shareholder meeting on April 29 in Cologne, Germany. About 4,000 shareholders are expected to participate in the meeting and vote on the future of the company.

According to the group Coalition against Bayer Dangers (CBG), based in Germany, several women will speak out at the meeting about the dangers posed by health problems from Yaz and Yasmin, which will include countermotions by CBG to rein in what it considers to be irresponsible corporate activity by Bayer.

CBG claims that the FDA has logged at least 190 reports of Yaz and Yasmin deaths in the United States that were reportedly linked to the use of the two popular birth control pills. However, that number is likely only a fraction of the actual number of deaths from Yasmin and Yaz, as it is widely acknowledged that only about 1% to 10% of all adverse events associated with the use of medications are ever reported.

The group points out that Bayer’s line of drosperinone-based oral contraceptives, including Yaz and Yasmin, have been found to carry an 80% increased risk of thrombosis events than older birth control pills by some studies. They are calling for a recall of Yaz, Yasmin and all other birth control products made by Bayer that contain drosperinone.

Thousands of women throughout the United States have filed a Yaz lawsuit or Yasmin lawsuit against Bayer, alleging that the drug maker failed to adequately research the risks associated with the medication or warn women that they may be exposed to an increased risk of serious and potentially fatal side effects when using the birth control pills. Lawsuits also allege that Bayer engaged in deceptive and misleading advertisements that were directed to consumers and the medical community.

YASMIN AND YAZ RECALL LAWYERS

The Yaz and Yasmin lawyers at Saiontz & Kirk, P.A. represent women throughout the United States who are pursuing a lawsuit over an injury or death that may have been prevented if Bayer had recalled Yaz and Yasmin or provided adequate warnings. Potential Yaz and Yasmin recall lawsuits are being reviewed for women who have suffered an injury or death as a result of a:

• Stroke or Heart Attack
• Pulmonary Embolism
• Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT)
• Gallbladder Disease

To review claim for yourself, a friend or family member, request a free consultation with our Yasmin and Yaz attorneys.

>>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:

• Stroke or Heart Attack
• Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT)
• Pulmonary Embolism (PE)
• Gallbladder Disease
• Sudden Death on Yaz

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

According to its 2009 annual report (PDF), Bayer reported that sales of Yaz, Yasmin and Yasminella (a lower dose version of Yasmin) saw a 4.6% increase over 2008 sales. The pills were the best selling pharmaceutical products for the global drug giant, generating nearly $1.3 billion euro (or more than $1.7 billion U.S. dollars).

Bayer attributed the continued success for the brands particularly to the growth of the Yaz pill in the United States and Europe, and indicated their intention to further expand the product line by seeking approval for Yasmin Plus and Yaz Plus, which would combine the birth control pills with folate in a single tablet.

Yaz and Yasmin contain a combination of ethinyl estradiol, which is used in many oral birth control pills, and drospirenone, which is considered a “fourth generation” progestin. Drospirenone is not currently used in any other types of oral contraceptives except the Ocella pill, which is generic Yasmin, and is suspected of causing the increased risk of blood clots and other serious injuries associated with the drugs when compared to older pills.

The continued strong sales are a bit surprising given the developments over the past year:

• At the start of 2009, the FDA determined that Bayer had been making unsubstantiated claims in its commercials about potential benefits of the Yaz pill, and attempted to drown out information about the health risks with loud music. In an unprecedented move, Bayer was forced to run a $20 million corrective advertising campaign, and must now have the FDA approve all future Yaz ads for the next five years.
• In August, a birth control study published in the British Medical Journal found that pills containing drosperinone increased a woman’s risk of deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism when compared to some other types of pills. Women taking drospirenone, the progestin contained in Yaz and Yasmin, had a 6.3 times greater risk of blood clots than women taking no form of oral contraceptive.By comparison, women who took birth control pills with the older progestin, levonorgestrel, faced an increased risk of less than four times normal.
• In the second half of 2009, personal injury suits over Yaz and Yasmin began pouring in against Bayer, with many gaining media coverage that highlighted the injuries suffered by otherwise healthy women after taking the pills, such as heart attacks and strokes, pulmonary embolism, deep vein thrombosis, gallbladder failure and sudden death on Yaz.

YASMIN AND YAZ PILL LAWSUITS

In the same annual report, Bayer disclosed that as of Febuary 15, 2010, the drug maker faced about 1,100 Yasmin or Yaz lawsuits in the United States for women who suffered a personal injury, some of which involved death. The complaints contain similar allegations that Bayer knew or should have known that the Yasmin and Yaz pill side effects increase the risk of serious injuries, yet they continued to market the drugs without disclosing them or adequately warning about the risks.

The Yasmin and Yaz pill lawyers at Saiontz & Kirk, P.A. represent women throughout the United States who are pursuing a lawsuit against Bayer for problems with Yaz and Yasmin. To review a potential cases for yourself or a loved one and find out if compensation may be available for injuries caused by Bayer’s decision to place profits before the safety of consumers, request a free consultation and claim evaluation.

>>INFORMATION: Yaz and Yasmin Litigation

The Yasmin and Yaz litigation involves claims against Bayer Healthcare for failing to adequately research their popular birth control pills or warn users and the medical community about the potential increased the risk that women may suffer a stroke, heart attack, pulmonary embolism, deep vein thrombosis, gallbladder disease or sudden death.

Last October, all federal Yasmin and Yaz cases were consolidated and centralized in the Southern District of Illinois for pretrial proceedings as part of an MDL, or multidistrict litigation.

According to an order issued last week by Chief Judge David Herndon, plaintiffs and defendants involved in the cases must preserve all potentially relevant documents, data and tangible things within their possession, custody or control. For individuals pursuing cases, this could include:

• Labels
• Bottles and containers
• Product packaging and inserts
• Paper documents or electronic information about your use of Yaz, Yasmin or Ocella, or regarding injuries caused by the drugs
• Paper or electronic documents pertaining to Yaz, Yasmin or Ocella litigation
• Medical and pharmacy records of medical expenses related to the use of Yaz, Yasmin or Ocella

For clients with questions about this preservation, please contact our office to review this in further detail. Individuals who have not yet spoken to an attorney about a potential lawsuit for Yaz, Yasmin or Ocella, you can request a free consultation or call our office toll free.

YAZ AND YASMIN LITIGATION LAWYERS

The Yasmin and Yaz lawyers at Saiontz & Kirk, P.A. are continuing to review potential birth control lawsuits for women who have suffered an injury that may have been caused by side effects of these drugs, such as:

• Stroke or Heart Attack
• Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT)
• Pulmonary Embolism (PE)
• Gallbladder Disease
• Sudden Death on Yaz

Both Yasmin and Yaz contain a combination of the hormones ethinyl estradiol (estrogen) and drsp or drospirenone (progestin). Although other birth control pills are combined hormonal oral contraceptives, drospirenone is unique to Yaz, Yasmin and the generic drug Ocella.

The serious health problems linked to Yaz and Yasmin side effects may be caused by drospirenone. It causes the body to retain potassium, which can lead to hyperkalemia. This can cause an increased risk of Yasmin and Yaz heart problems and other health concerns.

To find out if you, a friend or family member may have a potential case, request a free consultation and claim evaluation.

The estimated number of Yasmin and Yaz cases that may be filed comes from a recent article with U.S. District Chief Judge David Herndon in the Belleville News-Democrat, which serves the East St. Louis, Ill.-area, where the federal Yaz litigation is consolidated.

Judge Herndon is presiding over pre-trial litigation and discovery in the federal Yasmin and Yaz suits filed on behalf of women throughout the United States, and will likely conduct the first trials. Known as “bellwether” cases, these early Yaz trials will help gauge how juries are going to respond to the evidence that will be presented throughout all of the cases and potentially lead to a settlement of the Yaz and Yasmin claims.

All of the suits involve nearly identical allegations that Bayer failed to adequately research their medications and warn women about the risk of potential problems from Yaz and Yasmin birth control.

Yaz and Yasmin (drospirenone and ethinyl estradiol) are once-a-day birth control pills approved by FDA to prevent unwanted pregnancy and for the treatment of premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD); a more severe version of premenstrual syndrome (PMS). Drospirenone, unique to Yaz, Yasmin, and the generic version, Ocella, is a new type of progestin that has been found to increase blood potassium levels. This can result in a condition known as hyperkalemia, which can cause Yaz heart problems and death.

When the Yaz and Yasmin suits were first consolidated under Judge Herndon on October 1, 2009, by the U.S. Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation, there were only 32 complaints filed. However, there are now about 300 cases pending before Judge Herndon and with thousands of other cases still being investigated and reviewed throughout the United States. Therefore, it is very realistic to expect that 25,000 or more suits may eventually be filed.

According to the article in the Belleville News-Democrat, the Yaz and Yasmin birth control lawsuits will likely take more than two years to work through the court system, and it could be the largest MDL ever assigned to the Southern District of Illinois in East St. Louis.

YASMIN AND YAZ BIRTH CONTROL LAWYERS

The Yasmin and Yaz birth control lawyers at Saiontz & Kirk, P.A. are continuing to review potential claims for women who believe that they may qualify for a potential Yaz suit or Yasmin suit. To review a potential claim and determine if compensation may be available, request a free consultation and case evaluation.