What Women Should Know About Yaz, Yasmin, and Ocella

Products liability lawsuits continue to be filed across the country by women who have been injured as a result of taking the birth control pills Yaz, Yasmin, and Ocella. To learn more about these drugs and how they affect the body, visit the Mayo Clinic website, which provides information that women should know before they choose to take these hormonal oral contraceptives.

Yaz, its predecessor Yasmin, and the generic Ocella are all made up of drospirenone (a progestin) and ethinyl estradiol (estrogen). According to the Mayo Clinic, these drugs are not recommended for use with certain other medications, including: Felbamate, Isotretinoin, Paclitaxel, Paclitaxel Protein-Bound, Theophylline, and Tizanidine. Additionally, if you have a history of depression, migraine, jaundice, or high blood pressure, it may not be safe for you to take Yaz, Yasmin, or Ocella. Ask your doctor. There is a long list of medical problems that may affect the use of these birth control pills.

Like most drugs, Yaz, Yasmin, and Ocella have the potential to cause side effects, some of which are serious. If you are taking Yaz, Yasmin, or Ocella, consuming some other substances can increase your risk of experiencing side effects from your birth control pill; a few of these substances include: Amoxicillin, Ginseng, Licorice, Oxytetracycline, and St. John’s Wort. Notably, the Mayo Clinic also reports that you may experience an increase in side effects if you consume caffeine or grapefruit juice while you are taking Yaz, Yasmin, or Ocella.

Possible dangerous side effects of Yaz, Yasmin, and Ocella include: non-cancerous liver tumors, liver cancer, blood clots, or stroke. Although these effects are rare, they can be serious enough to cause death. The Mayo Clinic recommends speaking to your doctor if you are taking Yaz, Yasmin, or Ocella and you experience continuing or severe abdominal pain, anxiety, fever, sudden vision problems, ringing in the ears, or any of a number of other symptoms listed.

The Mayo Clinic is a great resource, with information on a variety of medical issues. However, nothing substitutes for personal attention from a doctor. If you believe you may be suffering from a dangerous side effect from your medication, seek medical attention. If you feel you have been injured as a result of taking Yaz, Yasmin, or Ocella, seek advice from an experienced personal injury attorney. Lawyers with experience handling defective drugs lawsuits can assist women and their families in getting the care and compensation they need in order to heal and move forward with their lives.