Bayer's Yaz & Yasmin: The Differences Between Them, Reported Injuries & Lawsuits
Bayer Pharmaceutical's oral contraceptive pills Yaz and Yasmin - often confused as being the same drug, but are actually marketed as two different drugs - have been linked to heart attacks, strokes, blood clotssuch as deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE), gallbladder disease, reports of sudden death and more. Although upwards of 10,000 lawsuits have already been filed, Yaz/Yasmin lawyers estimate that the number of Yaz lawsuits and Yasmin lawsuits may reach over 25,000.
What Are the Differences Between Yaz & Yasmin?
Both Yaz birth control and Yasmin birth control products have been approved by the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) and are marketed by pharmaceutical giant Bayer. While they are both oral contraception drugs which contain drospirenone & ethinyl estradiol (estrogen), Yasmin contains a higher dose (30 mcg) of estrogen, while Yaz has contains 20 mcg. The dosing instructions are also different for the two drugs. Yasmin is meant to be taken for three weeks (21 days) and then a placebo (or inactive pill) is taken in the last week (7 days). Yaz is meant to be taken for 24 days and then a placebo is taken for the last 4 days.
According to Bayer's websites for the drugs (www.yasmin-us.com & www.yaz-us.com):
Yasmin is indicated for the prevention of pregnancy in women who elect to use an oral contraceptive. Yaz is is indicated for the prevention of pregnancy in women who elect to use an oral contraceptive, and:
- Treatment of the emotional and physical symptoms of premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) in women who choose to use an oral contraceptive as their method of contraception.
- The effectiveness of YAZ for PMDD when used for more than 3 menstrual cycles has not been evaluated. YAZ has not been evaluated for the treatment of premenstrual syndrome (PMS).
- Treatment of moderate acne vulgaris
- In women at least 14 years of age, who have no known contra-indications to oral contraceptive therapy and have achieved menarche. YAZ should be used for the treatment of moderate acne only if the patient desires an oral contraceptive for birth control.
Reported Yaz & Yasmin Injuries
The drugs reportedly increase potassium to dangerously high levels which can result in blood clots and lead to strokes and pulmonary embolisms. Other side effects have been reported including breast lumps, depression or mood changes, heart attack, high blood pressure, kidney and/or liver damage, migraines, vaginal bleeding and severe allergic reactions including swelling, hives and difficulties in breathing.
Thousands More Yaz & Yasmin Lawsuits Expected
As of 2012, upwards of 10,000 Yaz and Yasmin lawsuitshave been filed against Bayer Pharmaceuticals and Barr Pharmaceuticals. Many of those cases are pending in Multidistrict Litigation (MDL) in Illinois and in New Jersey and Pennsylvania state courts. Plaintiffs in most lawsuits allege that Bayer and other manufacturers:
- failed to adequately research the products
- fraudulently concealed the risk of injury
- failed to warn about the risk of injury
- misrepresented the safety of the drugs in comparison to other forms of birth control
Legal analysts predict that the number of Yaz lawsuits, Yasmin lawsuits, Ocella lawsuits and others over "fourth generation" birth control pills may reach 25,000 - an incredible number by any standard. Anyone who has been injured by Yaz, Yasmin, Ocella or other drospirenone-containing contraceptive is urged to contact an experienced Yaz injury lawyer as soon as possible to avoid being barred from filing a lawsuit due to the statute of limitations.