The Yaz birth control pill has been on the market since 2006. Yaz is taken orally once daily to prevent pregnancy.
Yaz differs from other birth control methods because it contains a progestin hormone called drospirenone, which can increase potassium levels in the bloodstream. Yasmin, a birth control drug very similar to Yaz, has been on the market since 2001. It contains the same hormone as Yaz and is associated with the same health issues.
Yaz has been linked with serious adverse heart problems in women taking the drug. In a warning letter sent to the manufacturer of Yaz, the Food and Drug Administration warns of blood clots, heart attack, stroke, and gall bladder disease in Yaz users.
The FDA goes on to say, “Yaz has additional risks because it contains the progestin, drospirenone […] can lead to hyperkalemia in high risk patients, which may result in potentially serious heart and health problems.
“Women taking Yaz must be concerned about the drug interactions that could increase potassium, in addition to the drug interactions common to all combination oral contraceptives.”
The British Medical Journal (BMJ) released a report revealing thrombotic/clotting events in Yaz and Yasmin are as frequent as with third generation birth control pills. Third generation pills have a previously-established warning for thrombotic events, but Yaz and Yasmin are considered fourth generation pills and do not have the third generation warning.
Heart Attack, Stroke, and Blood Clots
Yaz and other oral contraceptives present an increased risk of heart attack in users, especially in smokers. In addition to heart attack, there is an established link between oral contraceptives and blood clots and stroke.
In January 2009, the FDA required the maker of Yaz, which had run commercials claiming Yaz could be used to treat headaches and acne (uses that are not approved by the FDA), to launch a campaign correcting those false claims.
The FDA said, “These violations are concerning from a public health perspective because they encourage use of Yaz in circumstances other than those in which the drug has been approved, over-promise the benefits and minimize the risks associated with Yaz.”
If you or someone you care about took Yaz and suffered a blood clot, stroke, or heart attack, our law firm would like to speak with you. We may be able to help.
If you or a family member has been personally injured because of the fault of someone else: by the use of dangerous drugs, bad products, or toxic injury etc then please contact the Fort Worth Texas Defective Drugs Product Liability Attorney Dr. Shezad Malik. For a no obligation, free case analysis, please call 817-255-4001 or Contact Me Online.
The Dr. Shezad Malik Law is currently evaluating and accepting Yaz, Yasmin, Ocella cases.