Yaz and Stroke and the Yaz Side Effects Lawsuit

LATEST UPDATE:
11/11/09 Court Order Appointing Plaintiffs’ Steering Committee in Multi-District Litigation — Click Here

Dangerous side effects of Yaz,  Yaz blood clots, Yaz and stroke and other Yaz serious side effects

Yaz has been linked to strokes and other serious side effects, including Yaz blood clots and heart attacks. Very often, the strokes, blood clots, heart attacks, and other dangerous Yaz side effects suffered by Yaz users can be life threatening.  In fact, since 2004, at least 50 deaths have been reported in women taking Yaz and other contraceptives made with similar ingredients.

Yaz contains a very different type of progestin called drospirenone.  Evidence is growing that pills made with this type of hormone are more likely than others to cause side effects such as blood clots, heart attacks and strokes.  In fact, a Dutch study released in August 2009 found that women taking pills made with drospirenone were 6.3 times more likely to suffer a serious type of blood clot called venous thrombosis (DVT) compared with women who were not taking the pill.

No one knows how many young women may have been affected by Yaz and stroke and other Yaz dangerous side effects. If you or someone you love suffered a stroke, blood clot, heart attack, or other side effect while using this pill, we want to hear from you. Please contact one of our Yaz dangerous side effect lawyers right away to protect your legal rights.

Yaz Dangerous  Side Effects

All birth control pills, including Yaz, increase the risk of blood clots, strokes and heart attacks. But because Yaz is made with drospirenone, it carries additional risks. Most notably amongst the Yaz risks, this birth control pill can increase the levels of potassium in the blood, which can lead to a disorder called hyperkalemia in high risk patients. This condition may result in potentially serious heart and health problems, including fatal cardiac arrhythmias. High potassium levels are especially dangerous for those diagnosed with obesity, diabetes sufferers or for those with high blood pressure.

In 2009, a study conducted by researchers at the Leiden University Medical Centre in the Netherlands found that women taking contraceptives made with drospirenone were more likely to suffer from venous thrombosis (DVT). The study compared 1,524 patients on oral contraceptives with 1,760 who were not.  Among women who used oral contraceptives that contained drospirenone, there was a 6.3-fold increase in venous thrombosis. On the other hand, the study found that pills made with another type of progestin called levonorgestrel increased the risk of clots by only 3.6-fold.

Since early 2004, the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) has received over 50 reports of deaths in women who were taking Yaz and other drospirenone-containing contraceptives. Many of the deaths reported to the FDA involved elevated potassium levels. Some of the women in the reports were as young as 17. The deaths were caused by a variety of ailments, including cardiac arrhythmia, cardiac arrest, intracardiac thrombus (blood clot in the heart), pulmonary embolism (blood clot in the lungs) and stroke in women in their child bearing years.

Some of the Yaz side effects and Yaz problems reported to the FDA over the years include:

* Stroke
* Heart Attack
* Cardiac Arrhythmias
* Stroke
* Pulmonary embolism (an artery in the lung is blocked)
* Yaz Blood Clots (Non-Vaginal)
* Kidney Failure
* Seizures
* Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT)
* Gallbladder Disease
* Hepaic Adenomas
* Sudden Death

Yaz FDA Warning Letter

In 2003, the then-maker of Yaz, Berlex Laboratories (acquired by Bayer in 2006) received an FDA warning letter about a Yaz TV ad the agency said was misleading. The unifying theme of the ad, typified by the tagline “Ask about Yaz, and the difference a little chemistry can make” suggested that Yaz is better than other birth control pills because of drospirenone and the way in which it is metabolized in the body.

This “chemistry” difference was presented as a product benefit, according to the FDA warning over Yaz risks. In the Yaz FDA warning letter, the FDA said it was not aware of substantial evidence or substantial clinical experience demonstrating that Yaz is superior to other birth control pills or that the drospirenone in Yaz is clinically beneficial. The FDA also found that the advertisement “fails to communicate that the potential to increase potassium is a risk” or that “increased serum potassium can be dangerous.”

Yaz Dangerous Side Effects Lawsuit

In the summer of 2009, several lawsuits were filed by women who claimed Yaz made them ill. They allege Bayer overstated the benefits of Yaz and failed to warn of the potential Yaz risks such as putting women at risk of Yaz blood clots, heart attacks and strokes. It is expected that many such Yaz lawsuits will be filed in the future.

Our firm is continuing to offer free case evaluations to victims of Yaz dangerous side effects. If you or someone you love suffered from a blood clot, heart attack or stroke while taking Yaz, we urge you to contact us as soon as possible.  Simply fill out our online form, or call 1-800 LAW INFO (1-800-529-4636) to discuss your case with one of our Yaz side effect lawyers today.

-800-529-4636)

Read More

Yaz Blood Clot Risk

Yaz & Blood Clots

Yaz Blood ClotNowadays, women have a wide range of birth control methods to choose from, which differ in their usage, cost, formulation, the range of contraindications and side effects. Still, birth control pills remain the most convenient and affordable way of preventing pregnancy, and one of the most popular among them is Yaz. There is hardly a woman today who hasn’t heard of or hasn’t taken Yaz. These birth control pills are produced by one of the leading German pharmaceutical companies and contain two hormones that are efficient in preventing unwanted pregnancy. Since Yaz (and a similar higher dosage pill, Yasmin) was approved by the FDA in 2006, many women searching for the right contraceptive choice have been recommended Bayer Yaz. These pills are also often advertised on the Internet.

In spite of Yaz’s popularity and easy accessibility, it numerous side effects have been reported by women taking Yaz. Some of them are severe and may seriously negatively impact your health. Women who suffer from any chronic conditions should be especially vigilant before beginning to take Yaz. Recently, the link between Yaz birth control and blood clots has been the basis of thousands of lawsuits. In this article we shall focus on by far the most dangerous of the side effects potentially caused by Yaz — blood clots.

So, the question is: why does Yaz cause blood clots? Many women who have reported suffering blood clots from Yaz were found to have significantly raised blood potassium levels, known as hyperkalemia. It is for this reason that women taking Yaz and Yasmin should have their blood potassium levels checked frequently by their doctors, and women who have a history of suffering blood clots or other cardiovascular problems should not be prescribed it at all. It is for this reason that it is very important for your doctor to take a thorough medical history before prescribing Yaz or Yasmin.

Taking into consideration all the above mentioned factors, it is worth underlining that women considering taking should undergo a thorough medical examination, especially those who have suffered strokes and/or heart attacks in the past. This way it is possible to reduce the Yaz blood clot risk. However, no matter how healthy you are, if you have taken Yaz — it is better to be aware of the symptoms of having suffered a blood clot (Yaz may also cause other health issues, those will be covered later). Possible signs of blood clots are very varied but the most common may include: spitting blood, fainting, weakness, nausea, vision disturbance, severe headache, stomach ache, discomfort when urinating, sudden chest pain, leg cramps or swelling. If you notice more than one or two of these symptoms, you should immediately contact your doctor or go to the nearest hospital. Delay may result in death since the consequences of blood clots are unpredictable and may be very serious.

If you suffered Yaz blood clots which seriously affected your quality of life and health, don’t suffer in silence. Contact an experienced Yaz side effect lawyer/Yaz birth control lawyer today to for a free consultation and to discuss your eligibility to make a claim against the manufacturer of Yaz.

Read More

Yaz Blood Clots

Yaz & Blood Clots

Yaz Blood Clot Risk

Yaz & Blood Clots

It is a widely-held view that birth control pills remain the most convenient and affordable way of preventing pregnancy.  One of the most popular types of pills among them are Yaz birth control pills. These birth control pills are produced by one of Germany’s leading pharmaceutical companies, and sold to a worldwide market, including both in Europe and the US.

In 2009, Yaz was declared the top-selling birth control pill in the United States.  Yet in spite of the wide popularity this birth control pill has acquired, Yaz has been linked to numerous side effects.  Some of the Yaz dangerous side effects may even be fatal.

During more recent Yaz dangerous side effects investigations, doctors found that there may be a potential link between Yaz birth control and blood clots.  This article wishes to discuss the risk of Yaz blood clots in more detail.

So, why does Yaz cause blood clots? Research concluded that the high potassium levels produced in women who took Yaz were connected to a heightened likelihood of them having Yaz blood clots.  High levels of potassium were put down to the hormone ‘drospirenone’ found in Yaz birth control pills.

Prior to going on Yaz, it is imperative a woman consults her physican.  This is especially vital for those who suffer from chronic diseases or who have had strokes and heart attacks in the past. This way it is possible to reduce any Yaz risks resulting from Yaz blood clots.

It is important that all women are aware of the symptoms of blood clots. The following symptoms are most commonly experienced: blood in the saliva, fainting, weakness, nausea, vision disturbance, severe headache, stomach ache, urinary discomfort, sudden chest pain, leg cramps or swelling in the legs. If you notice at least one of these symptoms, contact your doctor immediately or go to the nearest hospital.

If you or a loved one think your symptoms could be linked to Yaz stroke side effects such as Yaz blood clots, or other symptoms relating to Yaz and stroke, you may be entitled to compensation. Please fill out a case evaluation form to have your case overlooked by a qualified Yaz side effects lawyer. Alternatively, you can contact a Yaz stroke symptoms lawyer by calling 1-800 LAW INFO (1-800-529-4636)

Read More