Awareness of the Risks of Yaz Increases as More Lawsuits are Filed

Public awareness about the health risks involved in taking the oral contraceptives known as Yaz, Yasmin, and Ocella has recently increased, thanks to a rising number of lawsuits filed against Bayer AG, the manufacturer of Yaz and Yasmin. (Ocella is a generic form of the drug.) An article published this week in the Washington Times reports that hundreds of women have sued Bayer and thousands more lawsuits are believed to be forthcoming.

The article highlights the story of a 41-year-old woman in Maryland who nearly died as the result of several large blood clots that developed in her lungs, which her doctors believe were a result of taking Yaz. According to the article, Yaz and its predecessor, Yasmin, use a combination of estrogen and a synthetic progestin to prevent ovulation. The progestin, drospirenone, is relatively new, and has been blamed by some researchers for being the source of the problems associated with Yaz.

The use of Yaz, Yasmin, and Ocella has been linked to Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT), Pulmonary Embolism (PE), stroke, blood clots, gallbladder disease and gallbladder complications, heart attack, and death. All oral contraceptives increase the risk of stroke, blood clots, and other cardiovascular problems, especially in women over the age of 35. But many of the women suing Yaz for injuries they suffered after taking the drug are young – in their twenties – and were otherwise healthy before they began taking Yaz.

Bayer’s marketing strategy for Yaz has been widely criticized. Early advertisements for Yaz downplayed the risks of the drug, targeted young women, and suggested that Yaz could be taken to treat acne or premenstrual syndrome (PMS). According to the FDA, Yaz should only be used to treat acne in women who want to take an oral contraceptive. Yaz is not approved as a treatment for PMS, which affects up to 80 percent of women. While Yaz has been approved to treat premenstrual dysphoric disorder, a very severe type of PMS which only affects about ten percent of women, even then it is only recommended for those premenstrual dysphoric disorder sufferers who wish to take an oral contraceptive. The FDA recently forced Bayer to spend $20 million to make corrective advertisements.