Yasmin and Yaz Side Effects
Problems with Yaz and Yasmin birth control could cause women to suffer heart attacks, blood clots, gallbladder disease and other injuries. >>REQUEST CASE EVALUATION
Side effects of Yaz, Yasmin and Ocella have been linked to a number of serious and potentially life-threatening injuries in otherwise healthy young women who were taking the birth control pill.
Yaz and Yasmin are different from other birth control pills available in the United States because they contain drospirenone, a progestin which can increase blood potassium levels and increase the risk of:
- Heart Attack
- Stroke
- Blood Clots: Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) and Pulmonary Embolism (PE)
- Gallbladder Problems
- Kidney Damage or Kidney Disease
- Cardiac Arrhythmias
- Sudden Death
The Yasmin and Yaz lawyers at Saiontz & Kirk, P.A. are reviewing potential birth control lawsuits for women who have suffered an injury that may have been caused by side effects of the drugs. There are no fees or expenses unless a recovery is obtained.
>>REVIEW A YASMIN OR YAZ INJURY CLAIM<<
YAZ AND YASMIN PROBLEMS
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.
Originally developed by Berlex Laboratoriesin April 2001, Yasmin was the first birth control pill in the United States to contain drospirenone. After Bayer Healthcare acquired Berlex in 2006, they began marketing a nearly identical drug as Yaz. Both drugs contain 3mg of drospirenone, with the difference being that Yasmin contains 0.03 mg of ethinyl estradiol per tablet and Yaz contains 0.2 mg of ethinyl estradiol. In addition, while Yasmin is taken on a more traditional 21/7 cycle, Yaz is taken on a 24/4 cylce. This results in three extra days of taking the active pill.
The serious health problems linked to Yaz and Yasmin side effects may be caused by drospirenone, which is closely related to the diuretic or water pill spironolactone. 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.
Women could be at a particularly high risk of Yazmin and Yaz side effects if they already have elevated blood potassium levels or are taking other medications that increase potassium levels, such as NSAIDS (Motrin, Advil, Aleve), Heparin and ACE inhibitors (Capoten, Vasotec, Zestril).
MISLEADING ADVERTISING ABOUT YAZ AND YASMIN SIDE EFFECTS
Bayer and Berlex have been warned several times about false and misleading statements made in advertisements for Yasmin and Yaz, which failed to adequately warn about the risks associated with the drugs.
- In 2003, Berlex was warned by the FDA that Yasmin advertisements downplayed risks associated with the drug and implied it was superior to other birth control pills, which is not true. The FDA indicated that the ads raised significant public health and safety concerns.
- In 2008, the FDA warned Bayer that two Yaz commercials made deceptive claims. The ads were designed to give the impression that Yaz is approved to treat all severities of acne, while it is only approved to treat moderate acne, and that it can be used as a treatment for symptoms of PMS, while it is only approved for the more severe condition PMDD, where symptoms interfere with daily activities. The ads also allegedly minimized the potential risk of Yaz side effects by featuring distracting music and fast moving images while describing the risk of potentially fatal blood clots.
- In 2009, Bayer HealthCare began running a $20 million advertising campaign to correct misrepresentations made about Yaz safety in ads. This was done as part of an agreement with the FDA and states attorneys from 27 states. In addition, the drug maker agreed to submit all Yaz advertisements to federal regulators for screening before running them.
LAWSUITS FOR YAZ AND YASMIN
The attorneys at Saiontz & Kirk, P.A. are reviewing potential Yaz and Yasmin lawsuits for women throughout the United States who have suffered a:
- Heart Attack or Stroke
- Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT)
- Pulmonary Embolism (PE)
- Gallbladder Disease
- Sudden Death
Compensation may be available as a result of the manufacturers failure to warn about the potential health problems with Yaz and Yasmin.
To review a claim on behalf of yourself, a friend or family member, request a free consultation and claim evaluation with one of our Yasmin/Yaz lawyers. There are no fees or expenses unless a recover is obtained.
