Yaz and Yasmin are birth control pills designed, developed, licensed, and manufactured by Bayer HealthCare Pharmaceuticals. In 2012, Bayer was required to change the labeling included with the contraceptives due to epidemiologic studies conducted by the Federal Drug Administration (FDA). Some of the studies revealed that usage of these particular birth control pills resulted in an increased risk of blood clots compared to other contraceptives that contain progestin.

Yaz and Yasmin use a hormone called drospirenone, which is a synthetic form of progestin. The drospirenone in these birth control pills works in combination with Ethinyl estradiol (EE) to prevent pregnancy. The drospirenone is what separates Yaz and Yasmin from other forms of birth control. 

The drug labels were revised to include the information that some epidemiologic studies revealed up to a three-fold increase in the risk of blood clots for products containing drospirenone compared to products containing other progestins. Other studies conducted by the FDA found no increased risk of blood clots.

The FDA also advised women taking or considering Yaz/Yasmin to talk with their doctors about the risks. The agency further cautioned physicians to consider the additional blood clot risks when prescribing to certain patients. 

In addition to an increased risk of blood clots, the warning labels also include the potential for the following side effects:

• Vaginal discharge
• Nausea and vomiting
• Decreased sex drive
• Bleeding between periods
• Headaches
• Weight gain and increased appetite
• Vaginal yeast infections
• Coughing up blood
• Migraine headaches
• Leg cramps
• Dark or discolored urine
• Difficulty breathing or swallowing
• Yellowing of the whites of the eyes or skin
• High blood pressure (hypertension)
• Blood clots in the lungs
• Blood clots in the eye which can lead to a loss of vision
• Weakness and/or numbness in the upper or lower extremities
• Depression or other emotional changes
• Swelling in the feet or legs
• Sharp chest pains
• Heart attack
• Stroke
• Unexplained rashes
• Visions or speech changes
• Sharp abdominal pains
• High cholesterol
• Heaviness in the chest
• Severe headaches
• Hives and/or itching of the skin
• Liver damage
• Shortness of breath

Any time you have unusual symptoms or side effects following the use of any drug, including Yaz/Yasmin, you should contact your doctor immediately. 

Yaz and Yasmin have had documented cases of successful use for years. However, both pills also have fallen under heavy scrutiny. In fact, Bayer ultimately ended up paying approximately $2 billion to settle drug product liability lawsuits filed in the United States. 

Thousands of lawsuits against Bayer were filed in the U.S. by women who had used the birth control pills Yaz and Yasmin and had suffered serious side effects as a result. The health conditions that were the basis for the lawsuits were:

• Blood clots
• Heart attacks
• Gallbladder problems
• Strokes

By January 2016, Bayer had authorized $2.04 billion in settlement of more than 10,000 claims related to blood-clot problems, including pulmonary embolism (PE) and deep vein thrombosis (DVT). Additionally, Bayer agreed to pay more than $21 million to settle over 7,000 claims alleging gallbladder problems and nearly $57 million to resolve around 1,200 claims alleging that the pills caused heart attacks or strokes.

To talk to our drug product injury lawyers about a potential Yaz or Yasmin case, call us today at 916.921.6400 or 800.404.5400.

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