In March 2006, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved a once-a-day birth control pill named YAZ. The oral contraceptive combines drosperinone and ethinyl estradiol. In January 2007, YAZ was approved to treat moderate acne in females who also wanted to be on birth control.
The drug combination contained in YAZ is also found in Yasmin and the generic version, Ocella birth control, making all three prescription types potentially more harmful than other oral contraceptives.
Drospirenone has been found to increase blood potassium levels, called hyperkalemia, which can cause dangerous heart conditions and other harmful side effects. Women who have pre-existing kidney, liver and adrenal disease are particularly at risk.
At Shaw Cowart LLP, our attorneys are experienced in evaluating possible lawsuits for women who have suffered serious side effects from using YAZ, Yasmin or Ocella. The most common side effects include, but are not limited to:
- Deep-Vein Thrombosis (DVT)
- Heart Attack or Stroke
- Pulmonary Embolism (PE)
- Gallbladder Disease
- Death
Bayer Healthcare Pharmaceuticals, Inc. developed and sold YAZ throughout the United States. Numerous lawsuits have been filed against Bayer. Some of the allegations are that the company: “failed to adequately warn consumers and the medical community about the potential risk of YAZ side effects; failed to adequately test and research the drug before placing it on the market; and failed to issue a recall or remove the birth control pill from the market after it became apparent that it is an unreasonably dangerous drug.”
Contact our YAZ birth control attorneys for a free consultation. You may be entitled to financial compensation if you have suffered any adverse conditions from this form of oral contraception.