Yaz and Yasmin: birth control with harmful side effects

Yaz® and Yasmin® are oral contraceptive combination drugs, manufactured by Bayer HealthCare Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Both contraceptives are now involved in multiple federal lawsuits.

The drugs contain a combination of the hormones estrogen (ethinyl estradiol) and progestin (drospirenone). The only difference between Yaz® and Yasmin® is the amount of estrogen that they contain.

Yasmin® contains 30 mcg estrogen, and Yaz® contains 20 mcg. The drugs work by preventing ovulation and causing changes in the lining of the uterus.

Yaz® and Yasmin® have three FDA-approved uses:
•    Pregnancy prevention
•    alleviation of premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD)
•    treatment of moderate acne

Yasmin® and Yaz® are top-selling birth control pills in the US, with an estimated 25 percent market share. According to figures released for 2008, Yaz® alone is the highest-grossing contraceptive in the United States.

Yaz /Yasmin and the FDA
In October 2008, a warning letter was sent by the Food and Drug Administration to Bayer HealthCare Pharmaceuticals, Inc., in response to claims the company had made for Yaz®, the popular and heavily promoted birth control pill.

The FDA stated that Yaz® has additional risks compared to other birth control pills because it contains drospirenone, a progestin hormone that can increase potassium levels.

Among the debilitating and serious injuries reported from drospirenone in birth control are heart attacks, blood clots, strokes, and pulmonary embolisms. Some people have even died.

Each tablet of Yaz®/Yasmine® contains 3 mg drospirenone, a progestin hormone. The FDA reports that drospirenone can lead to hyperkalemia, a condition caused by excessive amounts of potassium in the blood of high risk patients, resulting in potentially serious heart and health problems.

Yaz® was approved for use in the US market in 2006; Yasmin® had been approved in 2001. The FDA is alleged to have received more reports of serious side effects for Yaz® and Yasmin® than other birth control pills on the market for a much longer time.

Yaz®/Yasmin® Side-Effects
The most commonly reported side-effects to Yaz® and Yasmin® are mild, such as decrease in sex drive, weight gain, nausea and vomiting, headaches, susceptibility to yeast infections, vaginal discharge, and breakthrough spotting or bleeding.
However, very severe and even fatal responses to the drug have been reported, such as:
•    Blood clots
•    Pulmonary embolism (PE)
•    Deep vein thrombosis (DVT)
•    Heart attack
•    Strokes
•    Liver Failure
•    Pancreatitis
•    Gall bladder disease/ gall stone removal
•    Kidney failure
•    Organ failure
•    Dehydration, elevated potassium levels and/or severe cardiac arrhythmias

If you or a loved one have been prescribed Yaz® or Yasmin® and have experienced any of these symptoms, please contact one of our defective drugs attorneys immediately for a free consultation.

Consult with your physician before you stop taking any medications, including Yaz® and Yasmin®.