Yaz Lawsuit

According to a lawsuit filed in July 2009, more than 50 reports of death for Yaz/Yasmin users occurred from 2004-2008¹. The manufacturer of Yaz, Bayer, says that it has been served with 74 lawsuits from women who claim health problems related to the best-selling birth control pill in the U.S.² The reasons for filing a Yaz lawsuit are numerous:

• blood clot (heart or lung)
• stroke
• heart attack
• kidney failure
• cardiac arrhythmias
• pulmonary embolism
• deep vein thrombosis
• gall bladder problems, sometimes necessitating surgery

What is Yaz?

Yaz is a birth-control pill that prevents ovulation and makes it harder for sperm to reach the uterus and for a fertilized egg to attach to the uterus.³

Uses of Yaz include:

• contraception (prevent pregnancy)
• moderate acne treatment in women ≥14 years old having menstrual periods and wishing to use birth control pills to prevent pregnancy
• treatment of symptoms of premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD): anxiety, depression, irritability, lack of energy, weight gain et al.

Yaz and Yasmin use a new progestin—drospirenone—that distinguishes them from other birth control pills. Two studies on drospirenone by independent researchers have found a slight increase in blood clots, while one study sponsored by Bayer found no increased risk in blood clots. For a more in-depth look at the studies and birth control pills in general, see this Gregg A. Miller piece in The Faster Times.

Yaz Side Effects

Prescriptions for Yaz contain side effects warnings and instructions about "Who Should Not Take Yaz." Some of the possible side effects include:

• upper respiratory infection
• breast pain
• abdominal pain
• dysmenorrheal
• urinary tract infection
• accidental injury
• sinusitis
• weight gain
• depression
• flu syndrome
• tooth disorder

FDA Warning

The FDA warnings to Bayer about Yaz include:

• television ads are "false and misleading"
• ads overstate the drug's efficacy
• ads minimize the serious risks associated with the drug
• ads promoted the drug's use for PMS, for which it is not approved
• a German plant that makes its hormone ingredients did not calculate variability to American standards

As a result, Bayer put $20 million into a corrective advertising campaign.

Contact the Simmons firm

If you or someone you love has suffered serious harm as a result of taking Yaz, you may be eligible to seek compensation, including medical bills, lost earning capacity, pain and suffering, and more. Contact the Simmons firm today to get in touch with caring and experienced lawyers who can evaluate your case, answer your questions, and help you understand your legal rights, including the filing of a Yaz lawsuit.

¹ http://thebulletin.us/articles/2009/10/10/top_stories/doc4ad0df2200df5181528010.txt
² http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/26/health/26contracept.html?_r=1&em
³ http://www.drugs.com/yaz

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