Yaz-Yasmin
The best selling birth control pill, Yaz, and
its predecessor, Yasmin, have been linked to serious
side effects. If you or someone you know has
suffered blood clots, pulmonary embolism, deep vein
thrombosis, stroke,
heart attack, liver tumors, breast cancer or death after taking Yaz
or Yasmin, you should contact an attorney.
Manufactured by Bayer HealthCare Pharmaceuticals,
Yasmin and Yaz are oral contraceptive combination drugs.
They contain a combination of the hormones estrogen (ethinyl
estradiol) and progestin (drospirenone), which prevent
pregnancy by inhibiting the release of luteinizing
hormone (LH) and follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) from
the pituitary gland in the brain. LH and FSH play
key roles in the development of the egg and preparation
of the lining of the uterus for implantation of the
embryo. Progestin also makes the uterine mucus
that surrounds the egg more difficult for sperm to break
through and, therefore, for fertilization to occur.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved
Yasmin for use in the United States in 2001, while Yaz
was approved for use in 2006. The only difference
between these two drugs is the amount of estrogen that
they contain. Yasmin contains 30 mcg while Yaz
contains a lower dose of 20 mcg. Both drugs have
three FDA approved uses:
- Pregnancy prevention
- Treating the symptoms of premenstrual dysphoric
disorder (PMDD) in women who are using Yasmin or Yaz
as their contraceptive
- Treating moderate acne in women who desire an
oral contraceptive for birth control
Although there are numerous brands of birth control
pills available, Yasmin and Yaz dominate the market with
more than a quarter market share between them. In 2008,
Yasmin had 11 percent market share while Yaz had 18
percent, making Yaz the top-selling birth control pill
in the United States.
One of the reasons for the popularity of Yaz was
Bayer’s aggressive promotion. However, certain
television advertisements for Yaz caused the FDA to
issue a warning letter to Bayer saying that the
commercials overstated the drug’s benefits while
understating its risks. The Attorney Generals of
27 states joined the FDA in claiming that Bayer’s ads
ran afoul of federal laws against promoting unapproved
uses of a drug. The ads allegedly implied that Yaz
could be used to treat or cure a variety of other
conditions associated with menstruation such as
premenstrual syndrome (PMS), acne, and muscle aches.
The warning letter also noted that Yaz actually has
additional risks compared to other birth control pills
because it contains drospirenone, a progestin that can
increase potassium levels. The side effects of
drospirenone include an increased risk of serious heart
and other health problems. Thus, Yaz and Yasmin
are linked to life-threatening injuries including blood
clot, stroke, heart attack, and pulmonary embolism.
In response, Bayer agreed to run a $20 million
advertising campaign to correct the misrepresentations.
Bayer also agreed to submit all Yaz ads for federal
screening for the next six years. Yaz and Yasmin
are already the subject of multiple federal lawsuits.
The lawsuits allege that Bayer failed to warn of the
increased risk of injury associated with these birth
control pills while overpromoting their benefits.
Furthermore, the FDA has allegedly received many more
reports of adverse events for Yaz and Yasmin than for
other birth control pills that have been on the market
longer.
Individuals who have suffered injuries as a
result of Yaz or Yasmin birth control are eligible to
seek compensation for their losses by filing a lawsuit.
If you or a loved one has been harmed by the use of
Yasmin or Yaz, you need to explore your legal options
before it is too late. The Kansas City, Missouri
law firm of Peterson & Associates has successfully
resolved thousands of cases involving pharmaceutical and
medical device manufactures. Let us put our
experience and expertise to work for you. Contact
the law offices of Peterson & Associates for a free
consultation by calling 816-LAW-FIRM, or by
clicking here to submit online.
For more information:
Pharmaceutical Litigation
Prescription
Injury FAQs
Pharmaceutical Legal Glossary
|
