Yaz, Yasmin and Ocella Birth Control Injury Attorneys

Yaz and its generic equivalent of Ocella, is a birth control product that’s been widely used by women in recent years. In terms of its intended purpose, which is for women to avoid unwanted pregnancies, Yaz proved to be quite effective. However, as you’ll see below, these products by different names eventually came under intense scrutiny because of their alleged link to the development of serious side effects.

Learn about Yaz and Yasmin via Atkins & Markoff TV Interview

Click on this link to watch the Yaz and Yasmin TV Interview with Attorney Dan Markoff.

 

FDA Warning Letters Regarding Yaz and Yasmin

2003 Warning Letter: Yasmin Serious Heart and Health Problems
2008 Warning Letter: Yaz Warning Letter
2009 Warning Letter: Yaz Misbranded

 

Why Is Yaz Birth Control Used?

Yaz is available via prescription and is administered in pill form. It’s used to prevent pregnancies in women, and it does so by preventing ovulation and by creating slight but critical changes in the female that affects the cervical and uterine linings. These changes create the near impossibility of pregnancy in two ways: by making it much more difficult for sperm to reach the uterus and by preventing any egg that is somehow fertilized from attaching to the uterus.

Yaz has also been used for some off-label purposes by doctors, and these uses have been met with consequences for many patients. They have been prescribed for treatment of acne and for the symptoms of premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD). Common symptoms Yaz was used to treat include lack of sleep, dizziness, anxiety and irritability.

FDA Approval of Yaz and Yasmin by Bayer

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Yaz for marketing, sale and distribution on May 11, 2001. The drug passed through the typical approval process that any prescription drug must complete before approval, and Bayer Healthcare was listed as the manufacturer of the drug on the original application with the FDA.

Yaz Harmful and Dangerous Side Effects

After a few years on the market, Yaz began to be linked with the development of serious side effects in enough patients that lawsuits began to be filed and additional problems began to arise. The most serious side effects that have been associated with Yaz include:

• Heart attacks
• Strokes
• Kidney damage
• Pulmonary embolisms
• Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT)
• Death
• Gallbladder disease

These side effects were discovered in women who had used Yaz or Ocella both for their intended purposes and with off-label uses.

Prior Warnings of Yaz, Yasmin, and Ocella Birth Control Pills

Prior to these lawsuits being filed and these media reports being released, no official action was taken by the government in regards to the intended uses of Yaz or Ocella. However, there were actions taken on several occasions by different government entities in response to an advertising campaign for these products that centered on their off-label uses.

Specifically, several Attorneys General of different jurisdictions officially warned the manufacturers in letter form that their current advertising campaign was potentially illegal because of statements that could have been construed as misleading for consumers. Specifically, these statements claimed that Yaz was safer than it actually was and that the product could be used to treat the symptoms of premenstrual syndrome, or PMS. In response to these warnings, these advertisements were pulled off the air.

Yaz Serious Side Effects and Yasmin Contraindications

Many prescription drugs can be dangerous if they are used at the same time as many others, and Yaz is no different. A few examples of medications that could be dangerous if used with Yaz include:

• Capoten
• Heparin
• Vasotec
• Zestril

• Diabetes
• High blood pressure
• Any history of serious kidney problems
• Obesity

If you are using any of these medications or you’re using Yaz and can identify with any of the preexisting conditions named above, you need to take action and schedule a medical evaluation with your doctor as soon as possible, as you could be creating a situation of risk for yourself.

Questions about Yaz and Yasmin Birth Control

Should I stop taking Yaz or Yasmin?
While no one can be certain if any individual will develop side effects that have manifested themselves in others, you should pay attention to any of the risk factors listed above. If you feel unsure about your safety, you should work through your doctor to find out about how you can safely wean yourself off of these medications.

Have these products been recalled?
At this point, no, the products have not been recalled. However, that does not mean that very few people could be at risk for the development of side effects. At this point, it’s simply too early to know definitively how safe or unsafe these products are in general.

What should I do if I’ve been injured by Yaz, Yasmin, or Ocella?
If you have been injured as a result of taking these products, you need to take a few steps to make sure that you are properly protecting your rights. First, schedule a full medical evaluation to make sure that you are not encountering additional risks, as your safety comes first. Secondly, contact the defective drugs lawyers at Atkins & Markoff today to schedule a free initial consultation, as you could have legal rights and options that need to be explored.

Dangerous Drug Attorney for Yaz, Yasmin and Ocella Lawsuits

Yaz and Ocella are different names for a birth control drug that is available via prescription and available in pill form. They’ve been linked to certain side effects that include heart attacks, strokes, kidney damage, pulmonary embolisms, Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) and death, and if you’ve been harmed by these side effects you need to contact the defective drugs attorneys at Atkins & Markoff immediately to schedule a free initial consultation.