What is Yaz, Yasmin, or Ocella and why are they prescribed?

Yaz, Yasmin and Ocella are brand names for birth control pills that combine the estrogen ethinyl estradiol with the progestin drospirenone.

What is the defect?

Federal regulators and medical journals have found inadequate warnings of health risks linked to the birth control pills.

Women taking birth control pills using drospirenone as the progestin compound were more than 600% more likely to suffer blood clots than women who took no oral contraceptive, according to studies. Blood clots in the lungs - or pulmonary embolism - is a potentially fatal condition. Additionally, blood clots in the major veins in the body can lead to Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT), a condition cited in several lawsuits already filed by users of Yaz, Yasmin and Ocella. Gallbladder Removal can be another result from taking these dangerous drugs.

What are the adverse symptoms caused by Yaz, Yasmin or Ocella?

Serious side effects that may occur in rare cases include:

• Adrenal insufficiency
• Blood clots and deep vein thrombosis (DVT)
• Breast, cervical or uterine cancer
• Depression
• Gallbladder disease
• Gallbladder removal
• Heart attack
• Kidney problems
• Liver disease or failure
• Stroke
• Severe allergic reaction

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has warned Bayer Healthcare Pharmaceuticals, the maker of Yaz and Yasmin, of its potential legal liability in marketing these drugs. (Ocella is distributed by Barr Laboratories, Inc.) Their television advertisements prompted a warning in October 2008. The regulators cited potentially deceptive and dangerous language to explain the products' uses and risks. They include:

• Understating the health risks they pose
• Stating they could improve symptoms associated with PMS
• Stating that the products could reduce moderate acne symptoms

Bayer recently agreed to terms requested by 27 different state Attorneys General as well as the FDA to air new advertisements. These commercials had the unapproved medical claims removed and the misinformation corrected. They also included more direct language regarding health risks.

Government regulators have looked at more than 50 reports of death from users of Yaz, Yasmin and Ocella from blood-flow-related causes. Some of these deaths were women of minor age who normally are at a low risk of such conditions.

Contact a Yaz, Yasmin or Ocella Injury Lawyer in Massachusetts

If you or someone you love has been harmed by someone's negligence regarding products, contact the Law Offices of Mark E. Salomone, serving Boston, Worcester, Springfield, and communities throughout Massachusetts, to fight for your rights. We also can represent you if you have been injured in Massachusetts but reside out of state.

Remember, your initial consultation is free, and you don't pay us unless you win.

Contact our firm serving Boston, Springfield, Worcester, and communities throughout Massachusetts to schedule a consultation with a dangerous drug lawyer. Our attorneys are committed to helping victims obtain maximum compensation for their personal injuries.