YAZ & Yasmin: Birth control linked to health problems and false claims

Special Alert: August 2009

YAZ/Yasmin Birth Control Safety Warning

YAZ and Yasmin, also sold generically as Ocella, are the subjects of multiple federal lawsuits filed against their manufacturer, Bayer Healthcare Pharmaceuticals. The lawsuits allege that Bayer failed to warn of the risks associated with the medications while simultaneously exaggerating their benefits. The most serious of the pills' side effects include:

Consequently, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) ordered Bayer to implement a $20 million ad campaign to correct their misrepresentations.

What Are YAZ, Yasmin, and Ocella?

YAZ, Yasmin, and Ocella – known pharmaceutically as drospirenone and ethinyl estradiol – are oral contraceptives used to prevent pregnancy. They are also indicated for the treatment of symptoms of premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD), not PMS, in women who choose an oral contraceptive as their method of birth control.They are also indicated for the treatment of moderate, not mild, acne in women 14 years of age and older who want an oral contraceptive for birth control.

Side Effects of YAZ, Yasmin, and Ocella

You should seek emergency medical help if you develop any of the following signs of an allergic reaction:

• Hives
• Difficulty breathing
• Swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat

You should stop using YAZ or Yasmin and call your doctor immediately if you have any of the following serious side effects:

• Sudden numbness or weakness
• Hives
• Difficulty breathing
• Confusion
• Pain behind the eyes
• Problems with vision, speech, or balance
• Chest pain or heavy feeling pain spreading to the arm or shoulder, nausea, or sweating
• General ill feeling
• A change in the pattern or severity of migraine headaches
• Stomach pain
• Jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes)
• A breast lump
• Symptoms of depression (sleep problems, weakness, mood changes)

Overview of YAZ and Yasmin

Bayer marketed YAZ and Yasmin as effective treatments for variety of conditions associated with menstruation, like acne, body aches, and mood swings. The FDA said that Bayer exaggerated YAZ and Yasmin's benefits while insufficiently addressing their risks. The agency noted that the drugs pose a particular risk to consumers because they contain a progestin called drospirenone, which can increase potassium levels. Drospirenone has the potential to raise the risk of serious heart and other health problems, like hyperkalemia, which can fatally disrupt heart rhythms.

A number of lawsuits have been filed throughout the country alleging that Bayer failed to warn the public about serious Yasmin and YAZ side effects, such as an increased risk of deep vein thrombosis (DVT), pulmonary embolisms, heart attacks, strokes, cardiac arrhythmias, gallbladder disease, and sudden death.

You Need Experienced Lawyers Who Understand Dangerous Drug Cases to Fight On Your Side

If you or a loved one has suffered heath problems from taking YAZ, Yasmin, or Ocella, you need to act quickly. When our drug injury attorneys and staff get involved with your case, we immediately get to work investigating the cause of your drug reaction and fighting for your legal rights to fair compensation.

Contact our law firm today by taking advantage of our free legal evaluation.