Yaz Lawsuit Update:December 8 witnessed a council of outside experts inform the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) of the safety and effectiveness of Yaz. According to the majority of those experts, 21 out of 26, the current labeling for Yaz does not adequately reflect the risks associated with drospirenone-containing contraceptives. Experts believe the risk of severe, life-threatening blood clots should be more emphasized on future labeling. However, the same panel concluded, in a 15-11 vote, that the benefits of preventing unwanted pregnancies outweighed the corresponding risks.
Update – 4/26/2011 – Recent studies published in the British Medical Journalacknowledge an increased risk of venous thromboembolism, a severe form of blood clotting deep within the body, among users of forth generation oral contraceptives like Yaz, Ocella and Yasmin. The risk of developing a blood clot from these contraceptives is twice that of previous levonorgestrel-based birth control pills.
Female contraceptive users be advised: Yaz® birth control pills have been associated with a number of serious side effects including gallbladder issues, gallstones, strokes, blood clots and heart attacks.
If you or a loved one has been injured by Yaz, you should contact our lawyersimmediately for a free confidential case evaluation. You may be entitled to compensation for your injuries and we can help.
Yaz Background Information
Yaz® (drospirenone & ethinyl estradiol) is a once-a-day birth control pill that was first approved by the FDA in March 2006. Its approval was later expanded to include acne treatment as well as for premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD), which is a more severe version of PMS that interferes with daily activities. Yaz’s unique progestins makes this newer birth control pill potentially more dangerous than other oral contraceptives.
Yaz Side Effects
Of the dozens of Yaz lawsuits currently pending against Bayer, plaintiffs most often experienced the following side effects:
- Stroke
- Heart attack
- Deep vein thrombosis (DVT)
- Heart arrhythmias
- Gallbladder disease
- Pulmonary embolism
- Sudden death
Yaz & Drospirenone
Some have associated the higher risk of developing these conditions with a type of synthetic progestin in Yaz called drospirenone. Drospirenone is a new type of progestin used only in Yaz and its generic version, Ocella. It has been reported to cause increased levels of potassium in the blood, which can lead to a condition known as hyperkalemia. This condition can cause blood clots, which in turn can lead to heart attacks and pulmonary embolism. Contact your doctor immediately if you experience any side effects because complications can cause serious, life-threatening injuries. Yaz has currently not been recalled, and it remains one of the most popular birth control pills on the market.
Yaz Label Change to Include Risk of Blood Clots
The FDA has recently completed a review of observational studies regarding the risk of blood clots in women taking drospirenone-containing birth control pills. Based on the data acknowledged in the review, officials at the FDA have concluded that drospirenone-containing birth control pills may be associated with a higher risk for blood clots than other progestin-containing pills. To put the risk of developing a blood clot from a birth control pill into perspective: The risk of developing a blood clots is higher when using any birth control pills than not using them. As a result, the FDA has requested a label change.
According to a Drug Safety Communication, the revised drug labels will report that some epidemiologic studies reported as high as a three-fold increase in the risk of blood clots for drospirenone-containing products when compared to products containing levonorgestrel or some other progestins.
Do I have a Yaz Lawsuit?
The trial lawyers at The Senators (Ret.) Firm, LLP have decades of experience navigating through complex legislative and regulatory issues and litigating high stakes cases all over the nation. Our law firm focuses on the representation of plaintiffs in Yaz lawsuits. We are currently accepting new cases in all 50 states.
Again, if you or a loved one has been injured by Yaz, you should contact our lawyers immediately by clicking the link below or calling toll free 1-(949) 557-5800. You may be entitled to compensation for your injuries and we can help.