Study Confirms Higher Blood Clot Risk with Newer Birth Control Pills

Yaz, Yasmin, Ocella Side Effects Lawyer News

- Ennis & Ennis

10/31/2011 - A study published on October 25, 2011 by The British Medical Journal confirms previous findings that certain oral contraceptives containing newer types of progestogen hormones (drospirenone, desogestrel or gestodene), which are found in Yaz or Yasmin, at least double the risk of developing venous thromboembolism (VTE), compared to oral contraceptives with an older progestogen hormone (levonorgestrel), explains Attorney David Ennis.

Dr. Ojvind Lidegaard from the University of Copenhagen, led the large-scale study, which included more than 1.2 million non-pregnant, 15- to 49-year-old women in Denmark without a history of thrombotic disease. The study revealed that women on the pill with the older, levonorgestrel version were at three times the risk of VTE as those not on any hormonal contraception. Yet oral contraceptives containing desogestrel, gestodene, drospirenone, or cyproterone boosted the risk six to seven times over that of non-users. The researchers explain that newer forms of progesterone in combination hormonal contraceptives clearly carry much higher VTE risk than older forms.

Meanwhile, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is already studying the possible increased risk of blood clots with pills containing the drospirenone. The FDA says its preliminary results suggest a 1.5-fold increased risk compared with other hormonal contraceptives, to about 10 women in 10,000 from 6 women in 10,000. Due to this conflicting data, the FDA has scheduled a joint meeting of the Reproductive Health Drugs Advisory Committee and the Drug Safety and Risk Management Advisory Committee on December 8, 2011.

VTE is a blood clot that forms within a leg vein and may travel to the lungs, which can be deadly. Symptoms of blood clots include persistent leg pain, severe chest pain, or sudden shortness of breath.

Attorney David Ennis recommends that women who have taken drospirenone-containing birth control pills and experienced any of these symptoms should first immediately consult with their physician. Next, the patient should fill out a MedWatch Form at http://www.fda.gov. Lastly, patients should seek the opinion of an experienced lawyer to explore their legal rights.

Ennis & Ennis P.A. is offering free nationwide confidential consultations for patients who are taking or have taken drosepirenone-containing medications and suffer these symptoms by calling toll free 1-800-856-6405 or by going to http://www.ennislaw.com and completing an online case evaluation form.

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If you or a loved one have suffered serious yaz side effects, 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.