Yaz

Side Effects from Yaz?

If you or a loved one experienced side effects from Yaz or Yasmin oral contraceptive, you may wish to explore your legal options with 1-800-LAW-FIRM.

About Yaz

Yaz and Yasmin are low estrogen oral contraceptives, more commonly known as birth control pills. They are primarily prescribed to prevent pregnancy and double as a treatment for moderate acne. Yaz is prescribed to treat the symptoms of premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD), such as anxiety, depression, irritability, trouble concentrating, lack of energy, sleep or appetite changes, breast tenderness, joint or muscle pain, headache, and weight gain.

Yaz and Yasmin both contain drospirenone, a type of progestin. There are grave risks posed by the use of this type of progestin, which Yaz’s manufacturer, Bayer Healthcare Pharmaceuticals Inc., knowingly concealed in its advertising. As a result, the FDA reprimanded Bayer for its misleading advertising, and now the company faces thousands of claims from women injured using Yaz and Yasmin without complete knowledge of its potential side effects. Drug companies are obligated to make sure that the medications they manufacture are free from defect and are not dangerous for users. They also must specify how the drug must be used and inform patients of the possible side effects and risks that may arise.

Yaz and Yasmin can cause blood clots, stroke, kidney failure, gallbladder problems, liver problems, pancreas problems, a rare condition known as hyperkalemia, and many other issues. Yaz and Yasmin are also intended to be prescribed primarily to prevent pregnancy; they should not be prescribed solely to treat PMDD or to prevent acne. Today, Yaz and Yasmin remain available to the public, however, Bayer can no longer air television ads that do not disclose the known risks of taking Yaz and Yasmin. The FDA has mandated new, medically accurate television advertisements be aired.

Warnings and Recalls

• In 2003, the FDA sent a warning letter to Berlex Laboratories (acquired by Bayer) over deceptive advertising for Yasmin, citing the company for, “…implying the pills were superior to all other oral contraceptives and for minimizing the risk[s]”
• On October 3, 2008, the FDA reprimanded Bayer Healthcare Pharmaceuticals, Inc. for running misleading television commercials advertising Yaz. The ads were misleading because they broaden the drug’s indication, overstate the efficacy of Yaz, and minimize serious risks associated with the drug. The ads also encourage the use of Yaz in circumstances other than those in which the drug was approved, over-promise the benefits and minimize the risks associated with Yaz. Yaz has not been evaluated for the treatment of premenstrual syndrome (PMS)
• Specifically, given the overlap in certain symptoms between premenstrual syndrome (PMS) and PMDD, and the material limitation on YAZ’s PMDD indication (that it has not been evaluated for the treatment of the less serious condition, PMS), the TV ads misleadingly suggest that YAZ is appropriate for treating women with PMS, who may not be appropriate candidates for this drug. We note that despite listing certain symptoms of PMDD, nowhere do the TV Ads use the full phrase “premenstrual dysphoric disorder,” to more completely distinguish PMDD from PMS, thereby increasing the likelihood that a viewer, in light of the claims and presentations described below, will understand it to be the same as, or substantially similar to, PMS

Cases, Settlements and Verdicts

To date, over 129 lawsuits have been filed against Bayer regarding Yaz and Yasmin.

• 6,760 U.S. plaintiffs settled
• 5,400 cases pending
• 8,800 U.S. plaintiffs participating in alleged gallbladder injury case
• Total: 12,160 cases against Bayer, which manufactures these drugs

Yaz Key Points

• Yaz and Yasmin are America’s most prescribed birth control pills
• FDA warns Yaz ads misled consumers about the purpose of the drug and failed to warn of harmful side-effects
• Manufacturers face lawsuits from women injured by taking Yaz and Yasmin

Conditions Caused By Yaz

• Blood clots
• Stroke
• Kidney failure
• Pancreas problems
• Gallbladder problems
• Liver problems
• Hyperkalemia (excess levels of potassium in the blood)
• Pulmonary embolism (blood clot of the lung)
• Deep vein thrombosis (blood clot of the leg)

Understand Your Legal Options

If you or a loved one suffered serious complications as a result of taking Yaz or Yasmin, contact the experts at 1-800-LAW-FIRM for a free and confidential consultation. Complete the form on the sidebar or call 1-800-529-3476 today.