Yaz, Yasmin, Ocella Side Effects Class Action Lawsuit News

Hoosier women sue Bayer over Yasmin pill

Birth control pills did serious damage, they say; maker calls products safe

 

-Indy Star

02/08/2010 - More than 50 women claim in lawsuits filed in Indianapolis that they suffered strokes, heart attacks or other serious health problems while taking the birth control pills Yasmin or Yaz, manufactured by Bayer Healthcare Corp.

Across the nation, dozens of lawsuits have been filed in the past few months by women claiming similar health problems after taking the pills.

Bayer officials said the contraceptives are safe when used properly and noted that all oral contraceptives, including Bayer's, carry warnings of possible side effects.

Yasmin, which has been marketed since 2001, and Yaz, since 2006, contain "fourth generation" steroidal formulations for oral contraceptives. They contain drospirenone, which the suits claim may lead to very high levels of potassium.

That medical condition, or hyperkalemia, may cause arterial blood clots, gallbladder disease, pancreatitis, liver and kidney failure, rapid heartbeat, arrhythmias and other conditions, including death, according to the suits.

Some of the women filing suits in Indianapolis reported problems including blood clots and pulmonary embolisms in their legs and lungs. Several required surgery to remove their gallbladders. Some suffered strokes that have left them with lifetime disabilities, according to their attorneys.

"Bayer can talk all they want about warnings (on the packaging), but it was not warning enough. The reality is that Yaz and Yasmin are far more aggressive birth control drugs than previous generations," said one attorney from a law firm in Carmel, representing 12 of the women.

And Indianapolis firm has filed two suits this week representing 39 women from Central Indiana and other states.

Bayer officials said they are gathering information about the lawsuits.

"But the complaints we have reviewed so far pertain to side effects that are warned about in the labeling of all oral contraceptives, including ours," according to a statement from company spokeswoman Rose Talarie. "Bayer's oral contraceptives are safe and effective when used according to product labeling. Health-care professionals prescribe oral contraceptives following a comprehensive evaluation of the risks and benefits for the individual woman."

In August 2008, the Food and Drug Administration ordered Bayer to run advertisements correcting earlier marketing claims that the contraceptive had health benefits other than the approved FDA purposes. A $20 million ad campaign ran from February to July last year.

That was too late for Kimberley A. Johnson, Madison, one of the women suing Bayer in Indianapolis.

The 37-year-old mother of two children had been on and off oral contraceptives several times through the years and had been taking Yasmin for about three months in 2007 when she developed back and chest pain.

"I was short of breath just before Thanksgiving that year, and I was having sharp pain when I took deep breaths. The worst was when I was laying down at night. I thought I was having a heart attack. I thought I was going to die," she said.

Tests found numerous blood clots in both lungs. She has been taking blood thinners for two years to prevent more clots. Eventually, she'll have to stop the thinners and hope the clots don't come back, she said.

"I feel pretty lucky to have caught it and to have survived."

If you or a loved one have suffered serious injury such as Yaz Blood Clots, gallbladder damage, or death while using Yasmin, Yaz or the generic product Ocella, you may be entitled to compensation. Contact the birth control side effects lawyers of Ennis & Ennis, P.A. today for a free nationwide case evaluation. Our experienced attorneys can answer any questions you may have about Yaz, Yasmin, or Ocella side effects or a potential Yaz Class Action lawsuit. Fill out the case evaluation form on this page or call toll free: 1-800-856-6405.