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Last week on October 27, 2011, federal health scientists reported that Yaz, the birth control drug manufactured by Bayer Healthcare as well as other newer birth control treatments increase the risk of dangerous blood clots more than older prescription medications.

According to MSNBC News, safety concerns with the popular birth control pill Yaz increased after the new report. The FDA reviewed the medical history of over 800,000 women in the United States who have been taking different forms of birth control from 2001 until 2007. The study revealed that a woman taking Yaz had a 75 percent greater chance of experiencing a blood clot than woman taking older birth control drugs.

Yaz contains estrogen along with a next-generation synthetic hormone called drospirenone. Drospirenon is known to increase potassium levels in the blood.

Yaz, Yasmin and other related drospirenone-containing pills were very successful in sales last year. So successful in fact, these dangerous drugs were Bayer’s second best selling product last year, generating $1.6 billion in worldwide sales.

Bayer Healthcare said, “[It] is currently evaluating this publication and cannot comment at this point in time.”

In addition to the complications caused by Yaz, women using the Ortho Evra patch from Johnson & Johnson and the Nuvaring vaginal ring from Merck & Co. Inc. have experienced problems. These types of drugs combine estrogen with two other synthetic hormones. The FDA is meeting with scientific advisers on December 8th to reach a final conclusion on the drugs’ safety.

Dr. Diana Zuckerman, the president of the National Center for Women and Families said, “At a certain point we have to ask why the FDA continues to approve drugs that are less safe and have no benefit compared to drugs already on the market. With all these different birth control options, why take the most expensive one that can also kill you?”

Important risks that may result from taking Yaz and Yasmin include gallstones, stroke, blood clots, depression, numbness, confusion, lump in the breast, speech problems, vision problems, and nausea. Serious and devastating effects that may occur after taking Yaz or Yasmin include: gallbladder disease; deep vein thrombosis; pulmonary embolism; heart attacks; strokes; and even sudden death.

Birth-control pills containing drospirenone include Bayer’s Yaz, Yasmin, Beyaz, Safyral; Sandoz’s Syeda and Loryna; Barr Laboratories’ Ocella; Watson Pharmaceuticals’ Zarah; and Teva Pharmaceuticals’ Loryna.


If you or a loved one has experienced problems from Yaz or Yasmin and have questions, please feel free to consult with our attorneys who are well-versed with Food and Drug Administration regulations, as well as product liability law. We are experienced pharmaceutical lawyers who seek to protect the rights of patients. Contact our attorneys for more information, or call (800) 641-0098 for answers.

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