Side Effects Of Yaz Lawsuit

by Steve Fields on October 2nd, 2009

Increasing numbers of women have looked at the option of filing a Yaz lawsuit due to serious and sometimes life-threatening problems they experienced while on Yaz birth control. Side effects of Yaz including blood clots, stroke and pulmonary embolism have been reported by women using this fourth-generation form of birth control. Some people suggest that side effects of Yaz are associated with the hormone drospirenone which can cause changes in the blood clotting system allowing blood clots to form more easily. Yaz birth control was approved by the Federal Drug Administration (FDA) in 2006 and marketed in the United States Bayer Healthcare. Yaz, along with Yasmin and the generic Ocella, is heavily marketed and used by many women. People taking Yaz have also experienced serious gall bladder problems sometime leading to gallbladder removal surgery.

Yaz is a fourth-generation combination hormone birth control pill. Yaz and Yasmin birth control are considered a fourth generation hormonal contraceptive because of the synthetic progestin used. It contains a combination of the hormones estrogen and drospirenone which is a synthetic form of progestin. Yaz uses a different form of progestin compared to older contraceptives. Third generation contraceptives containing desogestrel have recently come under scrutiny due to the increased risk of blood clots (venous thrombosis). The newer progestins (desogestrel) in third generation contraceptives were intended to lessen the adverse effects caused by older contraceptives such as hirsutism, weight gain, and acne. Similarly, fourth generations contraceptives are also being looked at as more women develop blood clot side effects.

An excerpt of the Yaz warning label states:

Most side effects of the pill are not serious. The most common such effects are nausea, vomiting,bleeding between menstrual periods, weight gain, breast tenderness, and difficulty wearing contact lenses. These side effects, especially nausea and vomiting may subside within the first three months of use.

The serious side effects of the pill occur very infrequently, especially if you are in good health and are young. However, you should know that the following medical conditions have been associated
with or made worse by the pill:

1. Blood clots in the legs (thrombophlebitis), lungs (pulmonary embolism), blockage or rupture of a blood vessel in the brain (stroke), blockage of blood vessels in the heart (heart attack and angina
pectoris) or other organs of the body. As mentioned above, smoking increases the risk of heart attacks and strokes and subsequent serious medical consequences. Women with migraine headaches also may be at increased risk of stroke when taking the pill.*

*italics not included in original Yaz warning label

The side effects of Yaz can increase depending on several risk factors. Increased risk factors include: women over age 35, smoking more than 15 cigarettes a day, diabetes, and high levels of blood cholesterol or fat. Warning signs of potentially more serious Yaz side effects include:
• sharp chest pain, coughing blood, or sudden shortness of breath (possible clot in the lung)
• pain in the calf (back of lower leg – possible clot in the leg)
• crushing chest pain or heaviness in the chest (possible heart attack)
• sudden severe headache or vomiting, dizziness, or fainting, problems with vision or speech, weakness, or numbness in an arm or leg (possible stroke)
• sudden partial or complete loss of vision (possible clot in the eye)

For the latest information and deadlines for filing Yaz lawsuits please contact us for a free no-obligation case review. We are currently representing women affected by Yaz side effects throughout the United States.