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Yasmin, Beyaz and Yaz Birth Control Side Effects

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Yasmin birth control pills and Yaz birth control pills have been associated with serious Yaz and Yasmin side effects, including Yasmin blood clots, Yaz blood clots and Yasmin DVT. Ocella side effects have also been reported. Yasmin lawyers are currently negotiating Yaz and Yasmin settlements—namely Yaz and Yasmin DVT and Yasmin pulmonary embolism side effects—with Bayer, the manufacturer.

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Yasmin/Yaz Birth Control Side Effects


As of March 2012, approximately 12,000 lawsuits have been brought against Bayer HealthCare Pharmaceuticals, Inc., the manufacturer of Yasmin, Yaz, Beyaz and Safyral, alleging an increased risk of blood clots (deep vein thrombosis (DVT), pulmonary embolism (PE)) and gallbladder problems.

Ocella, the generic version of Yasmin, is also associated with serious side effects, some of which are potentially fatal. All of the oral contraceptives containing ethinyl estradiol and the new "fourth generation" progestin drospirenone (DRSP) have been linked to:

  • Blood Clots
  • Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT)
  • Pulmonary Embolism
  • Gallbladder Disease
  • Stroke
  • Cerebrovascular Accidents (CVA)
  • Heart Attack
  • Myocardial Infarction
  • Death

Yaz and Yasmin Lawsuits: DVT, Blood Clots, PE

Life-threatening side effects such as Yasmin DVT and Yasmin Pulmonary Embolism have led to thousands of Yaz and Yasmin claims against Bayer Healthcare Pharmaceuticals for compensation. Lawsuits allege that the drugmaker failed to adequately warn patients and physicians of increased risk of serious side effects associated with the use of Yasmin and Yaz compared to safer oral contraceptives. At issue is that Bayer did not adequately disclose the dangerous consequences of using its birth control medication containing drospirenone, a new synthetic type of progestin used in the oral contraceptives in combination with estrogen.

By July 2012 Bayer had settled almost 1,900 cases alleging that its Yasmin and Yaz contraceptives caused blood clots that can lead to heart attacks and strokes, according to Bloomberg.com. Bayer had paid $402.6 million in settlements of one category of clot cases, for an average of about $212,000 a case. The drugmaker also said it had set aside $610.5 million to settle Yaz cases, which is more than double it had reserved for Yaz cases in the two previous years.

By February 1st, 2012, about 12,000 lawsuits were pending in the US against Bayer, on behalf of people who have suffered personal injuries, some fatal, as a result using Yasmin and/or Yaz. As of July 2013 Bayer had settled the claims of 6,760 US plaintiffs for a total of $1.4 billion, according to the Chicago Tribune September 15, 2013.

Most lawsuits filed to date against the maker of Yaz have been consolidated into a Federal Multi-District Litigation (MDL) court in Illinois, so that each case can be examined separately. They have been consolidated under the case Yasmin and Yaz (Drospirenone) Marketing, Sales Practices and Products Liability Litigation (MDL No. 2100).

(Attorneys believe that an MDL, rather than a class action lawsuit, will likely be more successful for those victims who have suffered substantial injuries.)

You Can Still File Yasmin and Yaz Claims

Although personal injury attorneys nationwide are working on settling Yasmin/Yaz DVT and pulmonary embolism lawsuits victims who have not yet filed a claim still have the right to seek compensation.

Personal injury attorneys are still filing claims for women who potentially suffered blood clots, DVT and/or Pulmonary Embolism as a result of taking birth control pills containing drospirenone and ethinylestradiol, particularly Yasmin, Yaz and Ocella.

As of late 2013 Bayer has only resolved the non-arterial or venous strokes. Another kind of non-arterial stroke, venous thrombosis, will also be settled, according to Yasmin attorney Jason Brown. The negotiations about arterial events are ongoing.

If you have been injured as a result of Yasmin or Yaz you can still file a case but Bayer will not resolve those cases after its label change of May 2012. Theoretically your injury should have occurred before or on the label change date. However, some attorneys are arguing that if your pills were purchased in a 90-day batch there should be a wider horizon. For instance, if you received pills on May 1, 2012; you should qualify for a claim if your injury occurred at the end of July 2012.

Most gallbladder cases were settled in 2012. If you had counsel as of a certain cut-off date you were entitled to partake in the gallbladder settlement.

Yasmin FDA Approval & Yaz Problems

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Yasmin in 2001 for both birth control and treatment of PMDD (Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder). Yasmin and Yaz were also marketed and prescribed to treat moderate acne.

The "miracle drug"Yaz was the top-selling birth control pill in the US in 2008 and 2009, as it was marketed to treat women desperate for severe PMS and acne help. But independent studies involving a million women found that Yaz carries higher blood clotting risks than other leading birth control pills, leading to new scrutiny from safety regulators. Bayer denied wrongdoing.

However, Bayer, the maker of the Yasmin contraceptive pill, has been reprimanded on several occasions because of questionable advertising campaigns--the ads were considered misleading in their promise to reduce or cure acne and help with PMS symptoms.

Many women' health advocates are calling for a black-box warning on all fourth-generation contraceptives. The advocacy group Public Citizen has placed all drugs containing drospirenone — including Yaz, Yasmin, Gianvi and Zarah — on its "do not use" list, stating the birth control pills "can cause increased blood levels of potassium and (are) no more effective than other oral contraceptives in preventing pregnancy".

Safyral, Beyaz, Gianvi, Loryna, Ocella, Syeda, Zarah

Bayer' Safyral, a new oral contraceptive, was approved by the FDA in December 2010. This birth control pill (drospirenone 3 mg/ ethinyl estradiol 30 mcg/ levomefolate calcium 451 mcg tablets and levomefolate calcium 451 mcg tablets) is designed to raise folate levels for the purpose of reducing the risk of rare neural tube defects (NTDs) in a pregnancy conceived while taking Safyral or shortly after discontinuing it.

Like Yaz and Yasmin (also made by Bayer), Safyral contains drospirenone, known to increase too much potassium in some consumers. And like Yaz and Yasmin, Safyral has been associated with an increase the risk of serious conditions including blood clots, stroke, and heart attack. The risk of blood clots is highest during the first year of use.

Other oral contraceptive brands containing drospirenone include Beyaz and Safyral. Generic versions of Yaz are marketed by Teva (Gianvi) and Sandoz (Loryna). Yasmin generics include Bayer's Ocella, Sandoz's Syeda and Watson Laboratories' Zarah.

Bayer HealthCare Pharmaceuticals has warned that women should not use Safyral if "they have kidney, liver, or adrenal disease because this could cause serious heart and health problems, or if they have or have had blood clots, certain cancers, history of heart attack or stroke, or if they are or may be pregnant. Safyral increases the risk of serious conditions including blood clots, stroke and heart attack. Smoking increases these risks, especially in women over 35. The risk of blood clots is highest during the first year of use."

Conflicting Birth Control Studies

A number of studies have reached differing conclusions on the risks of newer birth control pills.

One study published in the British Medical Journal October 2011 involving more than 1 million Danish women found that women taking Yaz and other newer medications had twice the risk of blood clots as women taking the older hormone levonorgestrel.

In 2007, however, two studies published as part of the post-marketing requirements of the FDA or European regulators did not find any difference in blood clotting between the two comparable groups. A recent Yasmin FDA-funded study has shown that preliminary results suggest about a 1.5-fold increase in the risk of blood clots for women who use drospirenone-containing birth control pills compared to users of other hormonal contraceptives. The FDA said it hasn't reached a final conclusion on the drugs' safety; instead an advisory committee meeting was held, to discuss the risks and benefits of birth control pills that contain drospirenone. Here is the complete FDA study.

FDA Advisory Panel Conflict of Interest

In March 2012, The Washington Monthly and the British Medical Journal (BMJ) reported the FDA advisory panel that voted 15-11 to keep Yaz, Yasmin and other drospirenone birth control drugs on the US market may have a conflict of interest. Four of the FDA panel members that voted in favor of keeping the drugs on the market had a connection with Bayer. Consumer advocacy groups, such as the Project on Government Oversight (POGO), are asking the FDA to re-open the issue about Yaz and Yasmin health risks and remove the four members from the panel.

Yaz, Yasmin and related drospirenone-containing pills were Bayer's second-best-selling franchise in 2010 at $1.6 billion in global sales, according to the Associated Press.

Yasmin and Yaz Time Line

2001: Yasmin birth control is approved by the FDA.

2002: European regulators express concern about link between Yasmin and venous thrombosis after death of 17-year-old. Dutch doctors are advised not to prescribe Yasmin until studies have established its safety.

2003: Maker of Yasmin is warned by the FDA to stop running misleading advertisements regarding Yasmin. The ads allegedly overstate the product's efficacy while understating the health risks.

2006: Yaz birth control is approved by the FDA.

2009: Bayer is forced by the FDA to run ads clearing up alleged misstatements in advertising for Yaz. The FDA alleges that the Yaz ads overstate the drug's ability to cure acne and treat premenstrual syndrome while downplaying the drug's risks. Lawsuits are filed in the US against Bayer alleging Yaz and Yasmin are associated with an increased risk of Yaz and Yasmin blood clots, heart attack and strokes.

2010: Lawsuits are filed in Canada alleging Yasmin and Yaz are associated with an increased risk of heart attack and strokes. On March 10, 2010, aCanada class action is filed against Bayer in Canada. The certification hearing is scheduled to begin Jan. 28, 2013.

September 2011: Yaz bellwether trials get under way. The first Yaz bellwether trial is scheduled to take place September 12, 2011 for pulmonary embolism side effects; that is to be followed by one set for January 9, 2012 and finally a Yaz thromboembolic case on April 2, 2012.

October, 2011: The FDA releases a study of more than 800,000 women taking oral contraceptives which shows that those taking drugs like Yaz had a 75 percent increased risk of developing blood clots.

November 2011: Health Canada announces that a review of drospirenone-containing contraceptives finds 1.5 to 3.0 times the risk of blood clots (Yaz and Yasmin contain drospirenone). The Canadian health agency says that labels have been strengthened to include a warning about the Yaz/Yasmin blood clot risk. The agency further recommends that health care professionals weigh the risks and benefits of certain birth control products that contain drospirenone when determining which contraceptives to prescribe.

December 8, 2011: a joint meeting of the FDA committees ends without recommending to pull Yaz and Yasmin from the market.

The FDA votes 21 to 5 that labeling on Yaz and Yasmin is inadequate and should be updated to include information from several studies that suggest a higher risk of Yaz blood clots. The group votes 15 to 11 that Yaz, Yasmin and other birth control drugs containing drospirenone are still beneficial and should remain on the market. Some health professionals believe that the newer (i.e., fourth) generation of birth control pills, including Yaz and Yasmin, are no more effective than safer alternatives, and therefore, due to the potential risk of Yaz DVT or Yaz blood clots, safer alternatives should be prescribed.

2012: U.S. District Judge David Herndon cancels the Yaz trial that had been set for January 9, 2012 and orders mediation instead. Should mediation in good faith fail, a trial will start on April 30, 2012. In a follow-up clarification, Herndon warns that if Bayer and Yaz/Yasmin plaintiffs do not act in good faith, he will start remanding cases back to the districts where they began.

March 12, 2012: The FDA is asked to reconsider their December 2011 decision concerning the risks of Yaz blood clots versus the benefits of Yaz, Yasmin, Ocella and similar birth control drugs. Bayer settles 70 Yasmin and/or Yaz pulmonary embolism cases.

April 2012: The FDA updates new warning label on drospirenone-containing birth controls including Yaz and Yasmin stating that users may be three times as likely to develop blood clots. Bayer, the manufacturer, says it will not resolve any cases after its label change. The drugmaker agrees to pay at least $110 million to settle 500 lawsuits alleging that Yaz/Yasmin caused fatal blood clots.

August 2012: Bayer settles almost 1,900 lawsuits for $402.6 million, averaging $212,000 per case. The company has doubled its reserve funds for Yaz lawsuits, putting aside $610.5 million for potential settlements. Bayer estimates that the Yaz, Yasmin lawsuits will end up costing $1.2 billion if they continue to settle at this rate, according to Lawyers USA.

September 2012: A study published in Contraception journal finds women who take drospirenone-containing oral contraceptives such as Yaz and Yasmin are 77 percent more likely to develop venous thromboembolic events (VTE) and twice as likely to suffer from arterial thromboembolic events (ATE).

To date Bayer has not admitted liability.

Yasmin, Beyaz and Yaz Birth Control Legal Help

If you or a loved one has suffered an adverse health event such as a blood clot, from using these products, please click the link below and your complaint will be sent to a Yasmin lawyer who may evaluate your claim at no cost or obligation.


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YASMIN BIRTH CONTROL LEGAL ARTICLES AND INTERVIEWS

Yasmin Death and “Lucky to Be Alive”
Yasmin Death and “Lucky to Be Alive”
February 5, 2016
Hong Kong: While the FDA has been criticized for its lack of warning and other issues regarding Yasmin and Yaz, the agency is commendable compared to the Hong Kong Health Department. A Hong Kong man recently filed a lawsuit against Bayer claiming the oral contraceptive caused the death of his wife. READ MORE

Yasmin Time Bomb
Yasmin Time Bomb
December 1, 2015
Seattle, WA: Not a day goes by when Sharon doesn’t think she is lucky to be alive. To her surprise, she suffered a heart attack while on Yasmin and was about to have another, if not for the foresight of an ER doctor. READ MORE

Bayer Finally Shelling Out $57 Million to Yasmin/Yaz Settlement Fund
Bayer Finally Shelling Out $57 Million to Yasmin/Yaz Settlement Fund
August 7, 2015
Bayer has finally agreed to set aside almost $57 million in a fund to settle Yasmin and Yaz claims outstanding as part of a multidistrict litigation program in Illinois federal court, and Yasmin/Yaz lawsuits that have been filed in Pennsylvania, New Jersey and California state courts. The settlement, which was announced August 6, will resolve arterial blood clot claims including heart attack and stroke. READ MORE

READER COMMENTS

Posted by

on
I started taking Yaz about a week ago, 2 days later I had a terrible stomach ache ???? accompanied by diarrhea (5 or more times daily) more especially after eating. I thought it was a stomach bug but this continued and the pain is unbearable. Today I decided to search online the side effects of Yaz because I was out of answers as to what the cause of this maybe and then I found this page.

I am NEVER taking those pills again, I hope and pray nothing has been damaged inside me. The reviews I just read here are scary

Posted by

on
Pain and suffering. Had really bad blood clots every time I went to the bathroom. You could just feel them moving.

Posted by

on
My daughter passed away June 29th, 2003, at the age of 32. Leaving behind 2 beautiful children. She went to bed one night & never woke up. Her autopsy was inconclusive, could not find a reason why. She was wearing the Yaz patch. The more think about it, the more I wonder if it was the patch.

Posted by

on
I live in Ohio. I need a second opinion, regarding Ocella settlement and possibly a new law firm to represent me.
My wife died in 2009 suffering ATE after taking Ocella drug. She took drug for 3 weeks and died within 4 days suffering a horrible death. I hired a firm in Ohio, which later sub-hired a partner firm to represent my case.
They advised me to not sue a prescribing doctor. Instead, they suggested to continue with litigation against corporation. As you know, after 6 years Bayer has made an offer – 56 million divided among 1300 Plantiffs. I read it. They evaluated my wife in terms of POINTS. She is WORTH so many points. This agreement guarantees NOTHING. Only guarantees that Bayer gets away with it.
My attorney firms, who I hired to fight for my case sent me a letter stating that they would not deal with my case if I refuse to opt in to the settlement. They told me I would owe all pro-bono fees and must seek another representation immediately.
I need a serious second opinion.

Posted by

on
uncontrollable uterine bleeding,and plus cysts on ovaries and weight gain from that and made me sick i end up at the er back in 2010 because of the none stop bleeding

Posted by

on
Large and painful ovarian cysts. Rapid weight gain. Painful periods. Increased acne. Yeast infections. Once off this pill, it all stopped almost immediately.

Posted by

on
I started taking Yasmin in 2001. Within a year my gallbladder was at less than 20% function and had to be removed. I only took Yasmin for a few months. It caused me severe migraines. I also believe that my needing to have surgery at 17 years old to remove my gallbladder was a direct result of taking Yasmin.

Posted by

on
Blood clot in my left leg.

Posted by

on
Gallbladder removal leading to a now lifelong battle with IBS. I was only 22 and on Yaz at the time of my surgery. There were no prior contributing factors to gallbladder disease in my life.

Posted by

on
Started taking YAZ birth control in August 2008. Had to have gallbladder removed on April 20, 2009. Was only 15 years old at the time.

Posted by

on
During the time she started taking Yasmin, she started noticing changes in her legs. The ER doctor gave it to her to stop heavy menstruation. Her legs are blood-shot red with red veins, they ache, have blood clots and have blisters on them. This condition has moved from her ankle up to her knees and her thighs. Her legs have been so bad that she has not been able to sleep at night. She also has had real bad headaches and no pain medicine seems to help them.

Posted by

on
Blood clots in my legs.

Posted by

on
Deep vein thrombosis on left leg.

Posted by

on
High blood pressure, Bells Palsy (mini-stroke), kidney damage

Posted by

on
Blood Clot in leg into abdomen. Currently on treatment.

Posted by

on
I had Gallbladder disease and had to have my gallbladder removed in January 2005. I started taking Yasmin in 2001.

Posted by

on
Gall bladder symptoms leading to removal in 7/2009. Was on Yaz from 2004-2010.

Posted by

on
She has suffered bloody stools and constant diarrhea or constipation. She has had severe pain under her rib cage. Her gastoenterologist suspected Crohn's Disease but the test was negative. They found erosions in her stomach. She has also had constant migraines.

Posted by

on
I've been having severe headaches, palpitations, high blood pressure reading and cardiac arrhythmias after 7 months of continuously taking Yasmin. This is my 10th month of taking the pills and the side effects are getting more and more severe since March 2013.

Posted by

on
I had my gallbladder removed two months ago. I am only 32 years old. I had been taking Yasmin for approx. 5 years. I had stopped taking Yasmin in early 2013. I do not and have not taken any other medication on a regular basis besides Yasmin. I do not smoke. I had symptoms including back pain, fatigue, nausea and high blood pressure since the end of 2011 until the main issue was finally resolved after multiple emergency room visits. After surgery, I then ending up getting a Surgical Site Infection. I now have an urgency to go to the washroom and have to learn what tolerance my body will have to certain foods now as surgery was only recently. Please let me know if my case would be considered as my situation has resulted in some financial stress.

Posted by

on
Inflamed gallbladder leading to multiple ER trips as well as gallbladder removal.

Posted by

on
Blood clot. Death.

Posted by

on
My wife has to take medication every single day for her blood pressure issues that she developed from this birth control. We have even been advised by doctors that she is too high risk for a pregnancy.

Posted by

on
Blood clots in my lungs and caused me 1 week stay in hospital and out of work for months. I was vomiting and coughing, Dr. thought I had pneumonia, but after chest x-rays he confirmed blood clots the cause of my pain and vomiting.

Posted by

on
gallbladder related pain- sharp pain in side that went to back, PE- had horrible pain in right shoulder and couldn't catch my breath, yaz- sleep issues, no period

Posted by

on
I could have died.

Posted by

on
Pulmonary embolism and tumor.

Posted by

on
Gallbladder removal.
While taking the birth control Yasmin I suffered acute pain in my stomach area for several days.
Finally one night, April 21 2010 I believe, after reporting to the ER at Mercy Hospital in Oklahoma City,
I was admitted for surgery. I had to have my gallbladder removed. The doctors did not give me any
indication of what could have caused the issue. My husband is in the Air Force, but because Mercy
was not a part of the Tricare network I had to pay over $700 in hospital fees that weren't
initially covered, which caused me financial issues for months after, along with the pain from the gallbladder failure and recovery process.

Posted by

on
Pain and discomfort.

Posted by

on
Gall Bladder Disease.

Posted by

on
Pulmonary embolism.

Posted by

on
Approximately 2 years after first starting the Yaz, I was admitted to Gilbert Emergency hospital and had emergency surgery to have my gallbladder removed. I was only 18 at the time of my surgery.

Posted by

on
Weight gain in excess of 30 pounds in less than 1 week. Fatigue, and blood clots.

Posted by

on
Yaz gave her constant UTI's and she was perfectly healthy before taking YAZ. The doctor recommended she quit taking it. Since then she has done much better but still has had to go to the ER for kidney pain. She missed so much school and her grades dropped, social life went to crap, etc., because of all this. I nearly lost my job because of the time off I had to take to care for her.

Posted by

on
It is my 15 year old. She was taking Yaz for birth control and was having intermittent bleeding and irregular bleeding but was told it was a temporary side effect. A few months later she developed a problem with her gall bladder and was even given Dilaudid for pain while in the ER. She had to have her gall bladder removed at age 15. Since then, she is scared to take the birth control pill for fear of something yet to be found that is going to hurt her. She's expecting a baby on June 7 at age 17.

Posted by

on
Gallbladder failure and removal at age 15.

Posted by

on
I had a blood clot in my right forearm that had to be removed. After dealing with years of stomach and digestive issues I was diagnosed with a malfunctioning gall bladder and ultimately had to have it removed.

Posted by

on
Tubal pregnancy with complications, gall bladder failure (no stones, just shut down), and near kidney failure that led to emergency surgery and being hospitalized in an ICU for nearly a week.

Posted by

on
Gallbladder problems.

Posted by

on
Stroke.

Posted by

on
Believed to be mitral valve prelapse. However, I noticed that when I stopped yasmin the pain started going away, and now after being on it again for a few months the pain is coming back.

Sharp pain in my heart every day very constant, lower back pains, constant headaches, dizziness, and sometimes spotty or blurry vision.

Posted by

on
STROKE. Right side of body effected. Continue to see a neurologist, dealing with seizures on a daily basis from the stroke.

Posted by

on
Gallbladder disease.

Posted by

on
numerous deep vein thrombosis, pulmonary embolism (3), heart arrhythmia, palpitations, abnormal weight gain

Posted by

on
Almost died from 4 pulmonary embolisms. DVT located in pelvis from where it broke off and sent 4 clots to my lung. Damaged lung. Had to be on Coumadin for 15 months. Had been taking Yasmin from 2001-2008.

Posted by

on
I saw a commercial and I have definitely suffered some of the symptoms. I get sharp chest pains frequently and lower leg pains as well. One day while I was driving with my cousin in the passenger seat. I lost my vision, everything looked distorted and I couldnt see the road. I kept opening and closing my eyes, but my vision would not come back. I had to pull over and let my cousin drive it took about 5 minutes for my vision to fully come back.

Posted by

on
She started coughing up blood a week ago, the original diagnosis was acute bronchitis. A CAT scan revealed the clot. She is on pain killers and blood thinners. We have no med insurance and are facing a hospital bill of $30K+...!!!

Posted by

on
In April I suffered extreme pain in upper right abdomen. After scan discoverd my gall bladder no longer functions correctly, surgeon wants to remove. Took Yasmin for about a year, then Yaz for three months. Immediately gained 15 pounds. Now on Orthotricyclen.

Posted by

on
I missed a month of work due to having the DVT. I have medical expenses of $600 for the sonogram to diagnose the clot. I will be on Coumadin for at least 3 months and have had weekly blood tests to ensure that my Prothromin time is in the therapeutic range. In addition, I will be at an increased risk of developing DVTs in the future as a result of having one in the past.

Posted by

on
I had to take coumadin for at least 10 months after and be tested weekly to make sure my blood was thinning properly.

Posted by

on
Missed a lot of time from work due to hopsitalization and had to have a visiting nurse when I returned home. Began experiencing panic and anxiety after I learned the severity of having a PE. I am now on life time medication/testing to prevent further clotting.

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