Yaz (drospirenone & ethinyl estradiol)

Heart attack, blood clots, stroke, death

Yaz oral contraceptive birth control is the trade name used by Bayer HealthCare Pharmaceuticals for the formulation that combines progesterone and estrogen hormones, drospirenone & ethinyl estradiol.  The drug is also known by the name Yasmin and generically as Ocella. Like most birth control pharmaceutical products, Yaz and the generic formulation prevents ovulation and sperm to fertilization of an egg as well as creating an inhospitable environment for an egg to attach in the uterus.

There are reports that Yaz has side effects that can be more dangerous than those of older birth control drugs. One of the reasons may be that Yaz contains a hormone the manufacturer calls “drsp” which, according to the manufacturer, may increase potassium leading to heart injury, heart attack, and death. Bayer warns that anyone with kidney, liver, or adrenal disease should not take Yaz.

If you’ve experienced health issues you believe may be related to taking Yaz, contact our defective drug attorneys. You can fill out the form below or call us at 800-883-2299.

What serious side effects are being attributed to Yaz?

Some of the side effects that doctors and their patients have reported are:

• Heart attack
• Blood clot
• Stroke
• Pulmonary embolism
• Kidney failure
• Pancreatitis
• Deep vein thrombosis
• Hyperkalemia (Elevated potassium)
• Gallbladder disease
• Liver disease and liver tumors

The danger of combining Yaz with other drugs

Bayer HealthCare says individuals who take Yaz should inform their doctor if they are on daily, long-term treatment for cardiovascular, or inflammatory disease or if they take any of the following drugs which could increase potassium when taken long-term and daily for arthritis or other diseases or conditions:

• Anti-inflammatories NSAIDs-ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil) and Naproxen (Naprosyn, Aleve, and others)
• Potassium-sparing diuretics (spironolactone and others)
• Potassium supplementation
• ACE inhibitors (Capoten, Vasotec, Zestril, and others)
• Angiotensin-II receptor antagonists (Cozaar, Diovan, Avapro, and others)
• Aldosterone antagonists
• Heparin

The manufacturer recommends anyone taking these drugs should have their potassium levels monitored the first month they take Yaz.

 How Yaz® is positioned in the competitive market for oral contraceptives

To differentiate the drug from previous birth control formulations and potentially increase sales, Bayer HealthCare claims that Yaz can lessen acne and that drug is the “only” birth control formulation that addresses premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD), characterized as the emotional and physical symptoms “severe enough to impact your life.” Bayer HealthCare lists the symptoms of PMDD as:

• Anger
• Irritability
• Markedly depressed moods
• Feeling anxious
• Bloating
• Change in appetite
• Headaches
• Muscles aches

There is some discussion that PMDD does not affect as many women as the manufacturer’s ads claim. While some of these symptoms have previously been considered symptoms of premenstrual syndrome (PMS), Bayer says that Yaz has not been shown to be effective for the less serious cluster of symptoms of PMS. Therefore, women may want to ask their doctors for more information about the differences between PMDD and PMS before taking the drug for those symptoms.

Related Information

New FDA approved label 2010

FDA letter regarding labeling revision emphasizing health risks 2010