Ocella, Beyaz & Other Birth Control Pills Linked to Gallbladder Disease

By Sarah Mirando | March 14, 2013

Category: Pharmaceuticals

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By Andrea Gressman

It has been no secret that birth control pills that contain drospirenone, like Yaz and Yasmin, carry an elevated risk for patients to develop serious side effects like blood clots and gallbladder disease. However, this side effect risk also pertains to Ocella, Beyaz and other slightly less popular birth control pills that contain drospirenone.

The Canadian Medical Association Journal released the results of a study on May 17, 2011 that found women who use birth control pills that contain drospirenone had a much higher side effect risk of developing gallbladder disease in comparison to traditional birth control pills. In fact, there is a 20% higher risk of developing gallbladder disease in comparison to birth control pill options that contain levonorgestrel. However, as the focus always seems to land on Yaz and Yasmin, it is important to note that there are other birth control pills that contain drospirenone as well. A more conclusive list of drospirenone pills includes the following:

Beyaz
Gianvi
Loryna
Ocella
Safyral
Syeda
Yasmin
Yaz
Zarah

This particular study released by the Canadian Medical Association Journal analyzed data that was generated from a database in the United States. Researchers evaluated 3 million women who used a birth control pill for a minimum of 6 months. They found that the women who used Yaz, Yasmin, Ocella, Beyaz, or one of the other birth control options containing drospirenone were 20% more likely to contract gallbladder disease, which required their gallbladder to be removed, compared to those who took birth control pills containing levonorgestrel.

Beyond that, it was reported that if a woman used Yaz, Yasmin, or Ocella for a minimum of two years then their side effect rate for developing gallbladder disease increased to 30%. It was also reported that even though the evaluation period for this particular study was from 6 months to 2 years of use, that the actual risk began as early as within the first month of use of the birth control pills. This is believed to be true because Yaz, Yasmin, and Ocella all contain estrogen and the increased amounts of estrogen have been linked to gallstones being formed.

Another factor as to why the formation of gallstones is increased with the use of drospirenone birth control pills is because this ingredient also acts as a diuretic. This means that it has been known to cause dehydration. When dehydration occurs, the bile in the gallbladder can become concentrated. This increases the side effect risk of developing gallstones and also allows the gallstones to be bigger in size.

There has been thousands of birth control injury lawsuits filed against the manufacturers of Beyaz, Ocella, Yaz, and Yasmin. If you feel like you may have a similar claim it is important that you contact a birth control injury attorney right away.

Please visit the Yaz/Yasmin, Beyaz & Ocella Birth Control Pill Class Action Lawsuit Settlement & Investigation page for more information. Provide your information and you can receive a free legal review from a qualified Yaz, Yasmin, and Ocella lawsuit lawyer.

Updated March 14th, 2013

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