FDA Expands Safety Review of Yaz, Yasmin, Ocella and other Birth Control Drugs
As part of its ongoing safety assessment of birth control pills, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced on May 31, 2011, that is reviewing two newly published studies on the risk of blood clots in women who use birth control pills that contain drospirenone. The brand names of drospirenone-containing oral contraceptives include Yaz (generic Loryna), Yasmin (generics Ocella, Syeda, and Zarah), Beyaz, and Safyral.
Drospirenone is a type of female sex hormone called a progestin. Most birth control pills contain two types of hormones–estrogen and progestin.
While all birth control pills pose a risk of blood clots, the new studies found that the risk of blood clots for women who use birth control pills containing drospirenone is higher than that for women who use birth control pills containing the progestin levonorgestrel found in earlier generation oral contraceptives. This risk is reported to be up to 2 to 3 times greater than the risk of VTE associated with using levonorgestrel-containing pills.
Video: Attorney Wendy Fleishman Discusses Birth Control Side Effects & Litigation
The symptoms of blood clots include persistent leg pain, severe chest pain, or sudden shortness of breath. The FDA advises that patients contact their healthcare professional immediately if they develop any of these symptoms. Furthermore, if you smoke and are over 35 years of age, the FDA advises that not take combination oral contraceptives because they increase the risk that you could experience serious cardiovascular events, including blood clots.
Contact Lieff Cabraser
If you or a family member have suffered a serious injury or a loved one died after taking Yaz, or similar drugs Yasmin and Ocella, please read Lieff Cabraser’s Yaz birth control side effects FAQ webpage to learn more about your legal rights and submit a complaint.
Trademark Notice
Yaz and Yasmin are registered trademarks of Bayer Schering Pharma Aktiengesellschaft. Ocella is a registered trademark of Barr Laboratories, Inc. The use of these trademarks is solely for informational and product identification purposes.
