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Yaz Birth Control Linked to Serious Health Problems
By Robert J. Boumis
Women in the U.S. choose oral birth control as their choice of pregnancy prevention more than any other form of contraception. But some types of birth control pills may cause serious harm to their users. Women who used the birth control pill Yaz have reported serious side effects.
Yaz is sold by a number of brand names, including Yasmin, Yasminelle, Beyaz, Ocella, Zarah, and Angeliq. All variations of the drug contain both drospirenone and a synthetic estrogen. They first hit the market in the United States in 2006.
These drugs work by mimicking various natural hormones, and making the body less likely to release an egg. Since they mimic natural hormones, they may also be used to treat moderate acne and premenstrual dysphoric disorder.
However, drugs containing drospirenone have been found to have a six to seven times greater risk of developing dangerous blood clots compared to woman who do not use hormone-based birth control, and more than double the risk of women who use other types of hormone-based birth control pills.
The proposed reason behind this increased risk of Yaz blood clots is that drospirenone increase the amount of potassium in the blood (hyperkalemia). This can promote blood clotting to such an extent that the patient may develop blood clots within the body. This is called thrombosis.
These blood clots typically form in the leg in a condition called “deep vein thrombosis.” These clots can move to other parts of the body, where they can cause even more damage. For example, such a blood clot in the bran can cause a stroke. In the heart, it can cause a heart attack. And in the lungs, a blood clot can cause a lethal pulmonary embolism. Additionally, excess potassium in the blood can interfere with ion-based systems in the body, like cardiac muscles. For this reason, it could also cause sudden cardiac death.
In 2008, the United States Food and Drug administration sent Bayer a letter warning them that their advertising practices could be construed as misleading. Bayer complied and altered their advertising campaign. However, many women had already started using Yaz by this point. Between 2004 and 2008, there were more than 50 deaths the FDA alleges may have been linked to Yaz or other drospirenone birth control pills.
More and more women have filed lawsuits alleging that they were injured by Yaz birth control pills. These lawsuits argue that Bayer played up the positive effects of their drug, while misleading women about the serious side effects of Yaz, like the increased risk of pulmonary embolism. The Yaz lawsuits allege that the women did not have enough information to make an informed decision about their birth control. Plaintiffs in these Yaz lawsuits alleged they suffered from potentially lethal side effects, including deep vein thrombosis, pulmonary embolism, and other serious medical conditions.
If you or someone you know took Yaz, and went on to suffer life-threatening side effects like deep vein thrombosis, you have may feel powerless and unsure of what to do next. However, you do have rights. You can take the first steps to getting your life back by visiting the Yaz/Yasmin, Beyaz & Ocella Birth Control Pill Class Action Lawsuit Settlement & Investigation. Here, you can submit your information for review by a lawyer who specializes in this type of lawsuit. The consultation is free of charge. From here, you may receive guidance on the next steps that you can take.
Updated April 29th, 2013
All medical device, dangerous drug and medical class action and lawsuit news updates are listed in the Drug and Medical Device section of Top Class Actions.
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