Woman Says Yaz Side Effects Led to Pain and Suffering

According to the Yaz lawsuit, Ruffridge “suffered severe physical and personal injuries” while using the birth control pill. Her Yaz injury lawyer notes that the family of birth control pills, which also includes Yasmin, Beyaz and Ocella, are all produced using a new hormone, drospirenone. At the time there was little information regarding the potential risks of drospirenone, but pre-approval studies indicated that Yaz blood clot side effects could be an issue.

This is due to the diuretic nature of the medication, which can lead to hyperkalemia. That causes heart arrhythmias that can lead to the formation of blood clots. In 2009, studies indicated that the risk for developing deep vein thrombosis and other blood clotting conditions on Yaz and Yasmin was two times higher than for other non-drospirenone birth control pills. Studies also showed that Yaz blood clot side effects occurred in more than one out of every thousand women who took the medication, according to the lawsuit.

In spite of that data, the drug maker allegedly misrepresented the relative safety of the medications. A 2003 letter from the FDA chided Bayer, saying the agency is not aware of substantial evidence of  substantial clinical experience demonstrating that Yasmin is superior to other birth control pills or that the drospirenone in Yasmin is clinically beneficial. “On the contrary, FDA is aware of the added clinical risks associated with drospirenone,” the Yaz lawsuit states. 

A follow-up letter in 2008 added that the birth control pills “can lead to hyperkalemia in high risk patients, which may result in potentially serious heart and health problems.” 

It is those issues that Ruffridge and her Yaz injury lawyer allege caused her medical conditions. As a result, counts against the drug maker include defective manufacturing, design defect, failure to warn, negligence and negligent misrepresentation, breaches of express and implied warranties and state statute violations.

The Yaz side effects lawsuit is Stephanie Ruffridge v. Bayer Corporation, et al., Case No. 13-cv-10783, U.S. District Court, Southern District of Illinois.

If you or someone you know has dealt with pulmonary embolisms, deep vein thrombosis side effects or strokes while taking these medications, you may be able to file a similar complaint. Start with a free consultation with a Yaz injury lawyer available by filling out the short form at the Yaz/Yasmin, Beyaz & Ocella Birth Control Pill Class Action Lawsuit Settlement & Investigation. One will contact you and provide advice on what steps you can take moving forward.