15 Jan 10 Lawsuits Filed Allege Yasmin/Yaz Side Effects Caused Several Deaths
Federal class action lawsuits have been filed in Ohio and Wisconsin alleging that since Yasmin/Yaz has been available on the market, it has been responsible for over 50 deaths and hundreds of health concerns due to complications with the medicine. According to medical reports, patients with preexisting conditions such as diabetes, chronic high blood pressure, and several others are at a high risk of dangerous Yasmin side effects.
Yasmin and Yaz are monophasic, combined oral contraceptive pills, developed by Bayer AG. They are a combination of two main chemicals: drospirenone and ethinylestradiol. The complications seem to be a result of the drospirenone; as it is processed in the body, women can experience incresed levels of potassium in their blood over a period of time. These raised levels are potentially dangerous for women with prexisting conditions such as diabetes, obesity, chronic high blood pressure, renal (kidney) conditions, history of stoke, or deep vein thrombosis. Complications arising from increased potassium levels in the blood include deep vein thrombosis, pulmonary embolism, stroke, blood clots and renal (kidney) complications. Many patients are now worried about taking the medications and many physicians have questions and concerns about writing prescriptions for Yasmin/Yaz.
Aside from the potential health risks the medicine presents, Bayer AG has also been legally reprimanded several times for their advertising claims. Thus far, two warnings have been given to Bayer by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA); the first in 2003 and the second in 2008. The most recent warning from the FDA reprimanded Bayer, claiming the Yaz television ads misled the public by inflating the drug's efficacy while minimizing the risk of side effects. According to California's attorney general, "Bayer's deceptive ad campaign led young women to believe that its oral contraceptive would cure symptoms for which it was not approved for use." Bayer has since been ordered to spend $20 million correcting the campaign as well as agreeing to restrictions requiring Bayer to submit further Yasmin/Yaz advertisments to the FDA for review before they launch on air.
For those affected by Yasmin side effects, there may be a possibility of legal recourse and potentially monetary compensation for unnecessary pain and suffering. Medical complications and procedures could potentially cost more than the typical insurance coverage an individual carries. To this end, it is in the best interest of the patient to contact an experienced Yasmin attorney if they have been harmed by this potentially dangerous drug.
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