Yaz/Yasmin/Ocella Lawsuits
Baltimore, Maryland, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and Delaware
In recent years, Yaz, Yasmin, and Ocella, popular birth control methods in this country, have been widely associated with harmful side effects which in severe cases have led to the death of women taking these products. If you have suffered a serious injury or a loved one has died from the use of one of these birth control pills, the Law Offices of Peter G. Angelos can help you receive the compensation you deserve.
What are Yaz, Yasmin, and Ocella?
Yaz and Yasmin are oral contraceptives produced by Bayer HealthCare Pharmaceuticals. Ocella is the generic form of Yasmin and is manufactured by Teva Pharmaceuticals. These contraceptives are used to prevent unwanted pregnancies and treat the symptoms of premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) in women over the age of 14.
All three of these birth control pills contain a hormone called drospirenone (DRSP), a “fourth generation” progestin which can increase your potassium levels, resulting in serious health complications. Drospirenone is especially dangerous for women who suffer from liver, kidney, or adrenal disease. Yaz, Yasmin, and Ocella are the only birth control pills on the market that contain drospirenone.
Yaz, Yasmin, and Ocella Side Effects
Yaz, Yasmin, and Ocella have been associated with the following side effects:
- Heart attack
- Stroke
- Blood clots
- Benign liver tumors
- Deep vein thrombosis
- Pulmonary embolism
- Kidney damage
- Gallbladder disease
- Death
Since 2004, the FDA has received more than 50 reports of deaths associated with Yaz, Yasmin, and Ocella. Often, elevated potassium levels have been found in victims who died as a result of taking these contraceptives.
Misleading Advertising
In 2008, the FDA issued a warning letter to Bayer Pharmaceuticals as a result of deceptive advertising campaigns related to Yaz and Yasmin. Bayer has marketed these drugs for the treatment of premenstrual syndrome (PMS) symptoms and acne. However, the FDA has not approved these drugs for treatment of PMS, only for PMDD, and the contraceptives have not been approved to treat acne.
The FDA has also found statements regarding the safety of these drugs to be misleading in many of their ads. While there has been no recall initiated for these products, the serious side effects combined with a long-standing record of misleading advertising has prompted many defective drug lawsuits against the makers of these drugs.
If you have been injured as a result of taking Yaz, Yasmin, or Ocella, our lawyers can help you file a defective drug claim against the pharmaceutical company to recover compensation for your damages.
Please contact our Baltimore defective drug attorneys today to schedule your free initial consultation. The Law Offices of Peter G. Angelos serves clients in Baltimore, Maryland, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and Delaware.
