The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has a heightened concern about the increased risk of blood clots for women who use Yaz, Yasmin, and Ocella, which are drospirenone-containing birth control pills manufactured by Bayer. The FDA recently completed a review of two 2011 studies that evaluated the risk of blood clots in women using these types of birth control pills and is continuing to review a self-funded study. At the center of the concern is that drospirenone-containing birth control pills can cause an increase in potassium levels in the blood. Increased potassium in the blood can cause heart rhythm disturbances that could lead to blood clots and/or stroke, and can be fatal if left untreated. Drospirenone can also cause gall bladder disease and kidney stone formation, which can require surgery.
The FDA has scheduled a joint meeting of the Reproductive Health Drugs Advisory Committee and the Drug Safety and Risk Management Advisory Committee on December 8, 2011 to discuss the risks and benefits and specifically the risk of blood clots of drospirenone-containing birth control pills.
Cohen & Malad, LLP currently represents more than 100 women across the country who have sustained devastating and life threatening injuries as a result of ingesting Yaz, Yasmin, or Ocella. If you or a loved one has suffered as a result of the use of Yaz, Yasmin, or Ocella, please contact our office today to speak with one of our product liability/personal injury attorneys to discuss your legal options.