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Products Liability Yaz Chantix Seroquel

Yaz LAWYERS

LAWSUITS INVOLVING YAZ BIRTH CONTROL
Yasmin/Yaz
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Our Yasmin/Yaz lawyers are investigating potential Yasmin/Yaz lawsuits throughout the United States for claims on behalf of victims who took the drug and now suffer from deep vein thrombosis (blood clots), pulmonary embolism, and/or strokes. Yasmin/Yaz have also been implicated in heart attacks and death. These Yasmin/Yaz lawsuits allege product liability, negligence and failure to warn claims against Bayer Healthcare Pharmaceutical

What Is Yasmin/Yaz Used For? 

Yaz, which was approved by the FDA in 2006, and Yasmin, which was approved in 2001, are oral contraceptives that combine estrogen and a fourth generation progestin to prevent pregnancy. They are also used to treat premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) and certain types of moderate acne in women. 

How Does Yasmin/Yaz Cause Blood Clots, Pulmonary Embolism, And Strokes?

Many Yasmin/Yaz experts believe that the new fourth generation progestin component of the drug is more dangerous than the progestin used in comparable birth control medication. Yasmin and Yaz are combination oral contraceptives, meaning that they contain both estrogen and progestin hormones to prevent pregnancy. The difference between Yaz and Yasmin is the amount of the estrogen. Yasmin contains 30 mcg ethinyl estradiol, while Yaz contains a lower dose of 20 mcg.  

More Yaz Lawsuit Information

Yaz is also different because it is taken on a 24/4 day cycle instead of the usual 21/7 day cycle. This refers to the dosing schedule and means that women take active pills for three extra days and inactive pills for three fewer days (this is unrelated to the Yasmin/Yaz lawsuits, at least based on the current understanding). Birth control medications were developed in the 1960’s; since that time, there have been four main types of progestin used. The progestin used in Yasmin/Yaz is called drospirenone, and is a new fourth-generation progestin which has not been used in any other type of birth control pill to date (with the exception of a generic of Yasmin/Yaz). Because the progestin is new, there is little data to support claims that the hormone is safe when used in combination with estrogen to prevent pregnancy. On the contrary, the studies that have been done indicate that drospirenone is, as set forth below, more dangerous than the usual progestins that are used to prevent pregnancy. 

Drospirenone increases potassium levels, which may disrupt heart rhythms, or slow down blood flow, to allow the formation of clots. Those blood clots can also lead to stroke or pulmonary embolism. 

Who Makes Yasmin/Yaz? 

Yasmin/Yaz are manufactured by Bayer Healthcare Pharmaceuticals. 

What Do the Yasmin/Yaz Lawsuits Argue Bayer Did Wrong?

Yasmin/Yaz drug injury lawyers believe that Bayer failed to warn women and their doctors of the increased risk of injury. Instead, Bayer overpromoted the benefits of the drugs, and advertised the drug for non-FDA approved uses (including treatment of PMS, bloating, muscle aches and fatigue). In October, 2008 the FDA sent Bayer a letter identifying that its television advertisements were untrue, and that Yasmin/Yaz has additional risks because of its chemical makeup, as compared to other oral contraceptives. Bayer agreed to spend $20 million on corrective ads, many of which are airing on television now. These Yaz/Yasmin lawsuits claim injuries that include deep vein thrombosis, heart attacks, strokes, gallbladder damage, kidney failure, myocardial infarctions, and pulmonary embolisms.

As indicated above, Plaintiffs’ Yasmin/Yaz lawyers allege that Yasmin/Yaz, unlike under birth control pills, contains drospirenone, a diuretic. The presence of a diuretic in Yaz/Yasmin causes a rise in potassium which can lead to “hyperkalemia” or unsafe levels of potassium that disrupt heart rhythms and slow the flow of blood. The Yasmin/Yaz lawsuits allege that this can lead to blood clotting. According to a recent Yaz/Yasmin lawsuit in Ohio, over 50 deaths of Yaz and Yasmin users have been reported to the FDA. There is typically vast underreporting of adverse reports in drug death cases. As a result, in the British Medical Journal, the Dutch College of General Practitioners suggest that its members forgo Yasmin/Yaz and use other forms of birth control, citing the 40 reported cases of venous thrombosis that include the death of a 17 year-old who suddenly collapsed and died after taking Yasmin for six months. Apparently, consumers share this concern: approximately 240 million units of the Yasmin family of birth-control products were produced in 2008; reports expect that sales will drop 25% in 2009. 

Interestingly, while product liability lawyers in the United States are always said to be pushing lawsuits against drug companies, there has been a slow response to the concern about Yasmin/Yaz in the United States. There is no class action lawsuit Yasmin/Yaz lawsuit to date although many Yasmin/Yaz lawsuits are now being filed around the country. In Europe, reports of pulmonary embolism and deep vein thrombosis were being made soon after Yasmin was approved in Europe in 2000.

What is the Current Status of the Yasmin/Yaz Lawsuits?

There are hundreds of Yaz lawsuits pending around the country. All Yaz lawsuits that have been filed in federal court have been consolidated in what is a class action for discovery purposes. There are also Yaz lawsuits pending in state court in Pennsylvania and New Jersey.

Do I Have A Yasmin/Yaz Claim? 

If you or a loved one has used Yasmin/Yaz and have suffered from blood clots, stroke, DVT, heart attack or gallbladder injury, please call one of our Yasmin/Yaz attorneys at 800-553-8082 or click here for a free no obligation consultation on your potential Yasmin/Yaz lawsuit.