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Yasmin and Yaz

Yasmin and Yaz are birth control pills manufactured by Bayer Healthcare. They are combination oral contraceptives containing an estrogenic component and a progestational component. These components work to suppress ovulation, fertilization and implantation, preventing pregnancy.

Side Effects

Yasmin and Yaz contain the same estrogenic compound, ethinyl estradiol, that has been used in the lower dose Pills for decades, however, the progestin in Yasmin and Yaz is unique.

Yasmin and Yaz both contain drospirenone. No other birth control pills contain drospirenone, except for a generic version of Yasmin and Yaz, by Teva called Ocella.

Studies done before FDA approval, indicate that drospirenone has certain effects that are different than those of traditional progestins, and potentially more dangerous.

These side effects can cause

• Death o Deep vein thrombosis (DVT)
• Pulmonary Embolism (PE)
• Heart Attack
• Stroke o Kidney/Renal Failure
• Seizures/Convulsions

- Specifically, drospirenone causes an increase in potassium levels in the blood, which can lead to a condition known as hyperkalemia if the potassium levels become too high.

Hyperkalemia

Hyperkalemia can cause heart rhythm disturbances, such as extrasystolies, pauses or bradycardia.

- If left untreated, hyperkalemia can be fatal.

- If hyperkalemia disrupts the normal heart rhythms, the flow of the blood through the heart can be slowed to the point that it permits blood clots to form.

- Blood clots in the heart can lead to heart attacks,

- Blood clots can break off and travel to the lungs where they can cause pulmonary embolus

- Blood clots can also travel to the brain causing stroke.

Reported Deaths

- Hundreds of reports of injury and death have been filed with the FDA in association with the use of Yasmin and Yaz

- Over 50 reports of death among users of Yasmin and Yaz have been filed with FDA in less than a five year period, from 2004 to 2008

- These Reports include numerous deaths with reported: o cardiac arrhythmia

• cardiac arrest, intracardiac thrombus (blood clots in the heart)
• pulmonary embolism (blood clot in the lungs)
• stroke in women in their child bearing years.
• Some of the deaths occurred in women as young as 17 years old.
• Significantly, reports of elevated potassium levels are frequently included among the symptoms of those suffering fatalities while using Yasmin or Yaz.

FDA Warnings

- On July 10, 2003 the FDA warned the makers of Yasmin and Yaz that their advertisement “fails to communicate that the potential to increase potassium is a risk” or that “increased serum potassium can be dangerous.”

- Again on October 3, 2008, FDA issued a Warning for another false and misleading advertisement concerning Yaz.

- The FDA found that the makers of Yaz failed to disclose that “YAZ has additional risks because it contains the progestin, drospirenone . . . which can lead to hyperkalemia in high risk patients, which may result in potentially serious heart and health problems.”

If you or a family member has been harmed by the use of this product contact The Alvarez Law Firm at 877-445-7675 or email us at intake@integrityforjsutice.com.

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