South Carolina Yaz Attorney

Yaz Birth Control Dangers

The Yaz® birth control pill has been available since 2006.

Yaz is different from other birth control methods. It included the progestin hormone drospirenone, which can increase potassium levels in the blood. Yasmin® is a birth control pill on the market since 2001 and is very similar to Yaz,containing the same hormone and associated with the same health problems.

Dangerous side effects of Yaz

Yaz has been linked to serious heart problems. The Food and Drug Administration warns of blood clots, heart attack, stroke, and gallbladder disease in Yaz users.

The FDA says, "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."

U.S. regulators warned the makers of Yaz about quality control issues at a plant that makes several ingredients in Yaz. One of the drugs on the list is Yaz's main ingredient, drospirenone. The British Medical Journal (BMJ) published 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 and do not have this warning.

Elevated potassium levels

Yaz has also been linked to a condition known as hyperkalemia. Hyperkalemia is a condition that describes abnormal levels of potassium in the bloodstream, which can lead to fatal arrhythmia, a disorder of the speed at which the heart beats.

Heart attack, stroke, and blood clots

Yaz presents an increased risk of heart attack in users, especially in smokers. There is also an established link between oral contraceptives and blood clots and stroke.

Marketing unapproved uses

In January 2009, the FDA required the maker of Yaz to run an ad campaign correcting previous false claims that Yaz could also be used for acne and to treat headaches, which are not approved by the FDA.

The FDA stated, "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."

Yaz is still available on the market today.

If you or someone you care about took Yaz and suffered a blood clot, stroke, heart attack, or gallbladder disease, the Dan Pruitt law firm would like to speak with you and see if we may be able to help.

Yaz® is a registered trademark of Bayer Pharmaceuticals.