What Is Yaz & Yasmin Birth Control?

Yaz and Yasmin are a type of birth control originally developed by Berlex Laboratories (a U.S. affiliate of Schering AG, Germany) that was first approved for use in 2001. In 2006, the drug company, Bayer, acquired Berlex and marketed a more recent version of Yasmin, called YAZ. Yasmin and Yaz both contain drospirenone, a "fourth generation" progestin. No other birth control pills contain drospirenone, except for these.

Serious Side Effects of Yaz Birth Control Pills

Yaz contains a different type of hormone known as drsp or drospirenone. Drospirenone can increase a user's potassium levels. This can lead to serious health problems, which are particularly dangerous for those with kidney, liver and adrenal disease. In addition, other serious side effects of Yaz include:

• Yaz Heart attack
  
• Yaz Stroke
  
• Yaz Blood clots
  
• Yaz Benign liver tumors
  
• Yaz Deep vein thrombosis
  
• Yaz Pulmonary embolism
  
• Yaz Sudden death
  
• Yaz Gallbladder problems

An FDA study estimated that 10 in 10,000 women taking Yaz would get a blood clot a year. A Danish study that looked at women ages 15 to 49 found that drospirenone doubled and tripled the risk of developing blood clots. It is already well documented that estrogen found in all forms of birth control pills increases blood clot risks.

In the Yaz drug insert, Bayer warns those who have deep vein thrombosis or pulmonary embolisms, now or in the past, to not take the Yaz birth control pill. The risk is greatest in the first year of taking the drug but also continues throughout treatment with the birth control pill.

Other Yaz Side Effects That May Be Experienced

• Severe allergic reactions including rash, hives, itching, difficulty breathing.
  
• Tightness in the chest swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue.
  
• Fainting
  
• Irregular heartbeat
  
• Symptoms of liver problems
  
• Unusual or severe vaginal bleeding
  
• Unusual tiredness or weakness
  
• vaginal irritation or discharge
  
• Vision changes (eg, sudden vision loss, double vision)

Women who have coronary artery disease, cerebrovascular disease, uncontrolled hypertension, liver disease, migraine headaches and abnormal uterine bleeding should not take Yaz.

Women who have or have had breast cancer and liver tumors also should not use Yaz. Researchers have shown that drospirenone can stop the body from secreting hormones that regulate the body’s electrolytes and water. This can cause a deadly increase in bodily potassium level.

By 2011, studies also showed that Yaz had an increased risk of blood clots, including the FDA’s study that showed a 74 percent increased risk in Yaz users when compared to other oral contraceptives. While all birth control pills carry a risk of blood clots, or venous thromboembolism, the risk from drospirenone is significantly higher according to some studies.  Yaz side effects have also been linked to deep vein thrombosis (DVT), a blood clot that forms in a vein deep in the body, typically the legs.  Once a Yaz blood clot forms, it can break off and travel to various places in the body, including the brain and lungs.

Deceptive Yaz Birth Control Advertising

Bayer has also improperly encouraged the use of Yaz for conditions other than those in which the drug has been approved for. These false claims involved the ability of Yaz to treat premenstrual syndrome (PMS) and all types of acne. In October 2008, the FDA issued a warning letter for deceptive claims. The FDA said claims made in the ads left the impression that Yaz was a treatment for PMS, when in fact it is only meant as a treatment for PMDD. The FDA also said that both ads left the impression that Yaz is approved as a treatment for acne of all severities when Yaz is only approved to treat moderate acne.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has sent several warning letters to Bayer HealthCare Pharmaceuticals, Inc. for what the FDA termed “misleading” advertising spots it found “particularly troubling” because they served to “undermine the communication of important risk information, minimizing these risks and misleadingly suggesting that Yaz is safer than has been demonstrated by substantial evidence or substantial clinical experience.”

Yaz Lawsuit / Yaz Settlement Update

If you or a loved one have suffered serious side effects of yaz, injury or death while using Yaz you may be entitled to compensation. Contact the yaz side effects lawyers of Ennis & Ennis, P.A. today for a free nationwide case evaluation. Our experienced Yaz attorneys can answer any questions you may have about Yaz side effects or a potential Yaz lawsuit. Fill out the case evaluation form on this page or call toll free: 1.800.856.6405.

Under no circumstances should you discontinue taking any medication, including Yaz or one the generic versions, without first consulting with your doctor.

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