Yaz and Yasmin, a popular form of oral contraception, has recently been scrutinized for findings that show those who use the Bayer Pharmaceuticals drug open themselves up to a variety of health problems that can even lead to death. Although neither Yaz nor Yasmin has been officially recalled by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), numerous studies have shown that, while users of any birth control pill increase their chances of experiencing health complications, users of Yaz and Yasmin have an even greater chance of experiencing serious health problems. The reasoning for the increased danger in using Yaz and Yasmin lies in one of the active ingredients that they both incorporate.
Specifically, both Yaz and Yasmin contain a hormone known as drospirenone (DRSP). The majority of other birth control pills do not use this hormone, and for good reason. DRSP has been linked to a variety of health ailments. DRSP may increase potassium levels in a Yaz or Yasmin users, and, for those individuals that either have or are susceptible to liver, kidney, or adrenal disease, increased potassium levels can create additional health problems. Users of Yaz and Yasmin have also been documented as suffering from deep vein thrombosis, commonly known as a blood clot. In fact, a study in the Netherlands showed that those individuals that use Yaz or Yasmin increase their odds of suffering from a blood clot by a whopping 6.3 times (although it should be noted that all birth control pills increase blood clot probability, just not as much as Yaz and Yasmin do). Blood clots can be deadly, and those individuals that experience blood clotting as a result of using Yaz and Yasmin may not be able to recover in some instances. Furthermore, Yaz and Yasmin users have also been known to suffer from heart attacks and strokes, both of which may have been caused by the presence of DRSP in Yaz and Yasmin.
The FDA did issue a letter of warning to Bayer Pharmaceuticals, but it doesn’t appear as though the pharmaceutical giant is putting much stake into the warning. As of October 22, 2009, the Bayer website is displaying an article about a study that shows that all methods of oral contraception increase the probability of blood clots occurring in users. This issue, for all intensive purposes, has never been challenged by those afflicted by health ailments resulting from Yaz/Yasmin use. Rather, and what Bayer is failing to point out, is that while the percentage of increased risk of blood clots for those users of Yaz and Yasmin may be comparable to other birth control bills, it is still greater than those birth control pills nevertheless. Bayer, essentially, recognizes that their product is more dangerous than others but is choosing not to make any sort of change to its product.
Yaz and Yasmin use may lead to complications that can result in heart attacks, strokes, and pulmonary embolisms. Even if the risk of injury is only slightly higher than other birth control pills, Yaz and Yasmin have still been shown by studies to increase the likelihood of serious ailments occurring. The Yaz and Yasmin side effect attorneys at Panish, Shea & Boyle are monitoring the Yaz & Yasmin drug situation and are currently investigating Yaz & Yasmin side effect complaints. We represent clients throughout the U.S., as well as globally, and are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Call Panish, Shea & Boyle today at 800-591-8116 for more information about your Yaz or Yasmin personal injury case.
