Yaz/Yasmin: Birth Control Pill Can Cause Death

Yaz and Yasmin are top selling oral contraceptive pills in the US. Manufactured by Bayer HeathCare Pharmaceuticals, Inc, Yasmin was approved by the FDA in May 2001. Apart from ethinyl estradiol, Yasmin contains drospirenone, which is widely used in birth control pills. Drospirenone is a new progestin, which also treats premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) and moderate acne in women. It is not used in any other contraceptive pill that has been approved by the FDA.

Yasmin prevents the ovary from ovulating, releasing eggs into the fallopian tube. The pill prevents male hormones from coming into contact with an egg by making the cervical mucus thicker, which makes it very difficult for the sperm to enter the uterus. Moreover, the lining of the uterus is altered to make the wall less receptive to a fertilized egg.

The main difference between Yaz and Yasmin lies in the amount of estrogen contained vis-à-vis the level of progestins, specifically desogestrel. Yasmin contains a larger quantity of ethinyl estradiol (estrogen) at 30 mcg, while Yaz contains only 20 mcg of estrogen. Yaz was approved in 2006 and touched a sales mark of $616 million by 2007. In 2008, the combined sales of both these pills reached approximately $1.8 billion.

What are the symptoms or side effects of Yaz and Yasmin?

A number of women are experiencing serious side effects after consuming YAZ/Yasmin. This is because Bayer did not issue sufficient warnings regarding the drug’s dangerous impacts, such as cardiovascular complications.

There have been reports of death of some women after the consumption of YAZ/Yasmin. The intake of these contraceptive pills leads to various blood clot risks, which may result in death. Some such risks are:

• Pulmonary Embolism (PE)
• Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT)
• Strokes
• Heart Attacks

Drosprenone, which can augment the level of potassium in the blood, is especially dangerous for women suffering from kidney, adrenal and liver diseases. Obese women with high blood pressure or diabetes are also very susceptible to high potassium levels.

In August 2009, the British Medical Journal published the results of a study conducted by the Leiden University Medical Centre about the side effects of drospirenone birth control pills. According to the study, the level of venous thrombosis, which is a serious blood clot, increased 6.3-fold in women who consume drospirenone as compared to others who do not consume any contraceptive pill.

Law Suits against Bayer

Bayer HeathCare Pharmaceuticals, Inc is facing innumerable medical malpractice lawsuit cases all over the US because of the life threatening problems caused by the intake of Yaz and Yasmin. According to some lawsuits, the death toll of Yaz/Yasmin consumers was 50 between 1Q04 and 3Q08, as reported to the FDA. Most of the deceased women suffered from strokes, cardiac arrests and pulmonary embolisms due to increased blood potassium levels.

In October 2008, Bayer was issued a warning letter by the FDA about the content of two TV commercials promoting Yaz. Both of the commercials were allegedly promoting the unauthorized use of medicines. Bayer faced legal action by the attorney generals of 27 states, subsequent to the FDA’s warning letter. The deceptive commercials were soon stopped from being telecasted. Moreover, the company agreed to telecast new TV commercials targeted at correcting Yaz’s misleading claims by spending $20 million. The commercials came on air in the first quarter of 2009.

While many lawsuits have been filed against Bayer, several women across the country are still unaware of the potential side effects of Yaz/Yasmin. It is very important to see a physician at the earliest, if you face any of these complications. Moreover, you should get in touch with a lawyer who can help you claim damages against Bayer. The company is already facing several lawsuits across the US.

Solomon Neuhardt is a competent and understanding attorney in Billings, MT.  If you or someone you love has experienced health complications or even death because of this dangerous drug, please feel free to conact him for a free consultation.

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