Woman Sue Bayer for Pulmonary Embolism Allegedly Caused by Yaz

Vicki Wilkinson has filed a lawsuit against Bayer, alleging serious side effects from their birth control pill Yaz.

According to the lawsuit, Wilkinson began taking Yaz in April of 2008. About a month later, Wilkinson developed pulmonary embolism, a life-threatening blood clot in the lungs. This medical crisis caused Wilkinson serious pain, stress and permanent medical consequences from using Yaz.

The lawsuit asserts that Bayer knew– or reasonably should have known– that Yaz could potentially cause blood clots and related issues like pulmonary embolism. The complaint cited that ever since the earliest clinical trials of Yaz, there have been reports of an increased risk of blood clots, even in comparison to older hormone-based contraceptive pills.

Additionally, the lawsuit cites several peer-reviewed medical journal articles that found a risk of blood clot associated with Yaz and related drugs. The oldest article cited in the lawsuit was published in the prestigious British Medical Journal as early as 2002, and recommended that physicians prescribe older-generation contraceptives instead of Yaz and related drugs due to the risk of stroke.

The lawsuit alleges that not only did Bayer know about the risk, but that they actively promoted Yaz and related drugs aggressively in spite of this knowledge. In 2003, the FDA sent Bayer a warning letter. The letter warns Bayer to change its advertising for Yaz, alleging that it downplays risks associated with the drug while exaggerating its benefits, like implying that it could treat premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) and acne when it was not approved to treat either condition. The suit alleges that this kind of over-promotion led to Wilkinson being prescribed with Yaz. The plaintiff asserts that she would not have used the drug had she been aware of the risks associated with it.

The case is Vicki Wilkinson vs. Bayer Healthcare Pharmaceuticals Incorporated et al, Case No. 3:13-cv-10947-DRH-PMF, within the MDL In Re: Yasmin and Yaz (Drospirenone) Marketing, Sales Practices and Relevant Products Liability Litigation, MDL No. 2100, filed in the United States District Court, Southern District of Illinois.

If you, or someone you care about, took Yaz or other Drospirenone-based contraceptives and went on to suffer from blood clots and related complications, your have has probably taken a turn for the challenging. Blood clots in the circulatory system are medical emergencies. They can cause both death and permanent damage to the victim. For example, stroke can leave a person permanently brain damages. But you need to remember that regardless of the challenges you’ve found yourself facing, you still have rights and there are steps that you can take to regain a measure of control over your situation. You can start by visiting the Yaz/Yasmin, Beyaz & Ocella Birth Control Pill Class Action Lawsuit Settlement & Investigation web page. Here, you can enter information about your situation for a legal review by a trained expert with a background in this type of litigation. The initial consultation is totally free of charge, and from here, you can receive additional guidance on the best steps to take in your exact legal situation.