Patient Sues Bayer After Close Call with Yasmin Blood Clot

Patient Sues Bayer After Close Call with Yasmin Blood Clot

By Jessica Tyner

Yasmin class action lawsuits rest on two pillars: One, that the birth control pill’s packaging doesn’t adequately warn about complications like blood clots. Second, that Bayer’s Simple Style Program overpromised about the perks of Yasmin, such as a better sex life and better skin. 

Following a horrific experience, South Carolina resident Linda Lehere has joined many other women who have sued Bayer after experiencing dangerous side effects from Yasmin birth control. According to Lehere’s Yaz lawsuit, filed Nov. 1, 2013, she allegedly suffered from a stroke in December 2010 as a proximate and direct result of using Yaz/Yasmin. 

History of Yasmin/Yaz Side Effects

Yasmin was introduced in 2001 and was followed by Yaz in 2006. Both brought huge sales for Bayer. “Yaz and Yasmin are different from other combined hormonal birth control pills in that they contain drospirenone, a progestin that is unlike other progestins available in the United States and was never before marketed in the United States prior to its use in Yasmin” Lehere’s Yaz lawsuit states.

Since these were “new” types of birth control, they didn’t come with the same stigma (and, supposedly, with the same side effects) as birth control pills in the 20th century. They were supposed to be safer and not carry the same risks of blood clots and related complications.

“Since drospirenone is new, there is insufficient data available to support its safe use, particularly compared with second generation progestins. In fact, studies performed prior to FDA (Food and Drug Administration) approval indicate that drospirenone has certain effects that are different from those of traditional second generation progestins, and potentially more dangerous,” the Yaz lawsuit says.

Lehere says she was never informed about the true nature of Yasmin risks and didn’t know to keep an eye for signs of blood clots. According to her lawsuit:

“A dangerous effect of drospirenone is that it acts as a diuretic, which can cause an increase in potassium levels in the blood. This can lead to a condition known as hyperkalemia if the potassium levels become too high. Hyperkalemia can cause heart rhythm disturbances, such as extrasystolies, pauses, or bradycardia. If left untreated, hyperkalemia can be fatal. If hyperkalemia disrupts the normal heart rhythms, the flow of blood through the heart can be slowed to the point that it permits blood clots to form. Blood clots in the heart can then lead to heart attacks, or the clots can break off and travel to the lungs where they can cause pulmonary embolism, or can travel to the brain causing stroke.”

There were 50 reports of Yasmin-linked deaths during the time Yasmin was on the market, and Lehere nearly became another victim who paid the ultimate price. 

“Defendants have not only ignored the increased risk of the development of the aforementioned injuries associated with the use of Yaz/Yasmin, but they have, through their marketing and advertising campaigns, urged women to use Yaz/Yasmin instead of birth control pills that present a safer alternative,” Lehere says.

Fighting Back

Lehere is suing Bayer for defective manufacturing, design defect, defect due to inadequate warning, negligence, fraud, breach of warranty, and violation of consumer protection acts. She says that Bayer “knew or should have known that use of Yaz/Yasmin created a higher risk of blood clots than other oral contraceptives on the market, including but not limited to second generation oral contraceptives, and that, when taken as directed, such use was unreasonably dangerous to consumers.”

The Yasmin lawsuit states that despite the fact that defendants knew or should have known of the serious health risks associated with the use of Yaz/Yasmin, they still failed to warn Lehere and her health care providers of said serious risks before she used the product.

The case is Linda Lehere v. Bayer Healthcare Pharmaceuticals Inc. et al, MDL No.: 2100, the United States District Court Southern District of Illinois.

Do You Have a Yaz Story?

Are you one of the many women who tried Yasmin, but experienced Yaz complications? If this happened to you, you might qualify for a Yasmin legal claim and deserve compensation for your pain, suffering and medical bills. Learn more by visiting the Yaz/Yasmin, Beyaz & Ocella Birth Control Pill Class Action Lawsuit Settlement & Investigation right now. Once you share your information, an attorney will contact you if you have a case for a free Yasmin claim review.