Research Links Some Birth Control Pills to Life-Threatening Effects

Drospirenone Birth Control Pills

Oral, hormone-based contraceptives account for roughly 28 percent of the birth control used in the United States. This is more than any other form of birth control. Hormone-based birth control methods work by “tricking” the body into thinking that it is pregnant. This blocks the release of an egg, preventing pregnancy. This same hormone can help reduce acne and alleviate hormone-based ailments like premenstrual dysphoric disorder. While all pharmaceuticals have some risk, lawsuits have alleged that Bayer, the manufacturer of Yaz, downplayed serious risks that have come to light.

Research Suggests Serious Side Effects from Drospirenone

An investigation by the FDA found that women who took Yaz, Yasmin or other drospirenone-based birth control drugs had a substantially higher risk of developing life-threatening blood clots. There was a 93% higher chance of developing these clots in patients who had taken drospirenone-based birth control drugs for as little as three months. These risks increased the longer women took these drugs. For example, women who took this type of birth control pill for 7 to 12 months had a 290% chance of developing potentially fatal blood clots compared to the control drug.

While all oral contraceptives have some risk of blood clots, the risks associated with Yaz, Yasmin and similar drospirenone drugs was found to be substantially higher. These blood clots could occur in a number of places through out the body.

For example, Deep Vein Thrombosis, or DVT, typically occurs in the leg, but the blood clot could travel to other organs where it can cause life-threatening damage. In the brain, such a blood clot could cause a stroke. A blood clot in the lungs can cause a pulmonary embolism. And in the heart, a blood clot can cause a myocardial infarction, more commonly known as a heart attack.  

Additionally, Yaz can cause other medical problems. It can contribute to hyperkalemia. In hyperkalemia, the amount of potassium in the blood is elevated. Excess of this inorganic ion in the bloodstream can cause problems in the heart, kidneys and gallbladder.

Yasmin/Yaz Litigation

In light of this, the FDA issued a letter in 2008 to Bayer warning them that their marketing downplayed the risk of serious blood clot side effects caused by Yaz, seven years after Yaz’s debut on the market in 2001. The warning told Bayer to alter its marketing for these pills to better warn patients of their risk of serious life-threatening side effects.

In light of the dramatically-increased risk of life-threatening blood clots, many women have begun to file lawsuits against Bayer. These drug injury lawsuits allege that Bayer’s marketing downplayed the risk of Yaz and Yasmin blood clots. Many women took Yaz for years, and continue to do so, unaware of the potentially fatal risks they are facing.

If you or someone you love took Yaz, Yasmin, Ocella, Beyaz or any other drospirenone-based birth control pill, you may feel daunted by the idea of taking action against a pharmaceutical giant like Bayer. However, you can take proactive steps in this situation. Start by visiting the Yaz/Yasmin, Beyaz & Ocella Birth Control Pill Class Action Lawsuit Settlement & Investigation. Here, you can submit your information for a free review by a lawyer specializing in this type of legal action. This review is free of charge and can help you determine the next steps to take.