Yaz® and Yasmin® are oral contraceptives that are intended to prevent an unwanted pregnancy. Yaz® is one of the most popular birth control pills on the marketed, and has also been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) – a condition characterized by depression, tension, and irritability that are severe enough to interfere with work and social activities.
Yasmin® and its later version Yaz® differ from common birth control pills because they contain the synthetic progestin drospirenone. Despite these drugs’ initial success and praise, problems soon began to surface. The drospirenone was found to be responsible for an increase in the blood’s potassium that can lead to hyperkalemia. This condition can result in cardiac problems, as well as blood clots and ultimately strokes.
If you have taken Yaz® or Yasmin® and experienced any adverse side effects, including blood clots, stroke or heart failure, you should talk to an experienced Yaz®/Yasmin® injury attorney to evaluate your claim against Bayer HealthCare Pharmaceuticals.
Other Dangerous Side Effects
Aside from blood clots that can result in a stroke, female patients began reporting a number of other adverse side effects associated with the use of Yaz® and Yasmin®.
Some of these side effects include:
- Gallbladder disease
- Pancreatitis
- Kidney disease and failure
- Liver tumors
- Cervical cancer
- Heart attack
- Severe migraines
- Death
- Misleading TV Advertisements
The FDA reprimanded Bayer HealthCare Pharmaceuticals for its television ads, which communicated a misleading message to potential consumers. Company advertisers stated that Yaz® was approved to treat premenstrual syndrome (PMS), when it was FDA-approved to treat the more serious condition of PMDD. As a result of these misleading television advertisements, the FDA made Bayer update all of its labeling information and marketing materials to include all potential side effects. Bayer was then forced to run a $20 million advertising campaign to correct its stated uses.
Please review our directory to find an experienced Yaz®/Yasmin® injury attorney in your area.