What is Yaz / Yasmin / Ocella?
Yaz, Yasmin, and Ocella (drospirenone / ethinyl estradiol) are oral contraceptive pills manufactured by Bayer HealthCare Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and are available by prescription. These pills contain and release two hormones, an estrogen (ethinyl estradiol) and a progestin (drospirenone), that prevent pregnancy by:
- Preventing ovulation (the release of an egg);
- preventing fertilization (thickening vaginal fluid to stop sperm from reach the egg); and
- preventing attachment (alters the lining of the uterus so a fertilized egg cannot attach).
Yaz, Yasmin, and Ocella were approved for sale in the United States by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in 2001.
What are the health risks associated with Yaz, Yasmin and Ocella?
Almost all forms of hormonal birth control have an increased risk of blood clots for women using these methods of contraception. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration funded a study to evaluate whether contraceptive pills containing drospirenone increased a woman’s risk for blood clots, also known as venous thromboembolism (VTE). The FDA determined that the type of progestine (drospirenone) in Yaz, Yasmin, and Ocella produced a significantly greater risk (almost triple) for blood clots in women taking any of these three pills when compared to women using other forms of hormonal birth control (that contained a different form of progestine). As a result, the FDA issued a “Safety Medwatch” in October of 2011.
Why are Blood Clots Dangerous?
A blood clot, also known as a venous thrombosis, is a semi-solid or solid mass of coagulated blood within the veins. The blood can abnormally coagulate and form a clot when the blood flowing through the veins is exposed to certain substances. A blood clot may also form abnormally when the blood is unable to flow properly throughout the body. Blood clots become dangerous and life-threatening when they break off, travel through the veins and become lodged in a vital organ (such as the heart, lungs, or brain). These mobile blood clots can cause heart attacks, strokes, and pulmonary embolisms.
Signs of Possible Blood Clots Include:
These symptoms may be a sign of a possible blood clot:
- Sudden shortness of breath.
- Chest / jaw / arm pain.
- Unusual sweating.
- Confusion.
- Coughing up blood.
- Sudden dizziness / fainting.
- Pain / swelling / warmth in the groin / calf area.
- Tingling / weakness / numbness in the arms / legs.
- Unusual headaches (with vision changes and/or lack of coordination).
- Slurred speech.
- Weakness on one side of the body.
- Sudden vision changes (complete or partial blindness).
Yaz Lawsuits:
Lawsuits have been filed against the manufacturers of Yaz, Yasmin, and Ocella. All federal suits have been combined before a U.S. District Judge (Honorable David R. Herndon) in East St. Louis, Illinois (MDL 2100 – In Re Yasmin and Yaz (Drosprirenone) Marketing, Sales Practices and Products Liability Litigation). In addition, some people have filed state lawsuits.
Compensation:
If you suffered a stroke, a heart attack, or a blood clot while taking Yaz, Yasmin or Ocella, you may be entitled to receive compensation for past medical expenses, future medical expenses, loss wages, pain and suffering. If a death has occurred, family members may be entitled to compensation in a wrongful death suit.
Our Yaz, Yasmin and Ocella Lawyers:
If you or a loved one suffered a stroke, heart attack, blood clot, or died as a result of a stroke, heart attack, or blood clot while taking Yaz, Yasmin or Ocella, do not hesitate to contact our team of medical lawyers for a free consultation. Our lawyers will evaluate your potential case, provide you with all the legal options available and help you obtain any compensation you may be entitled to.
Call us today at 1-800-MED-LAWS today to discuss your defetcive birth control case.
