Lawsuits Surrounding Yasmin Birth Control Pills
The fourth generation birth control pill Yasmin (also known as Yaz and Ocella) may be linked to gallbladder disease and other adverse side effects. As a result, hundreds of lawsuits have been filed, including two class action lawsuits in Canada. Plaintiffs claim that the manufacturer, Bayer Healthcare, failed to warn them of the possible side effects that might result from taking Yaz.
Yaz is sold as a contraceptive, but is also prescribed to control premenstrual syndrome (PMS) and premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD). It contains the hormones ethinyl estradiol (estrogen) and drospirenone (a synthetic form of progestin).
Several adverse side effects have been possibly linked to the use of Yaz. Some patients who have been taking Yaz have developed gallbladder disease, which often requires laproscopic surgery if not complete removal of the gallbladder. Some lawsuits also state that Yaz side effects included pancreatitis and blood clots, which led to strokes, pulmonary embolism, and/or deep vein thrombosis.
Louise Thanos of Montana filed suit against Bayer after she took Yaz for two years and suffered major health problems including gallbladder failure. The law firm of Tony Merchant Law Group LLP has filed suit against Bayer on behalf of two women from Canada. Among the complaints listed in this lawsuit are “blood clots, pulmonary embolisms, gall bladder removals, and other serious medical emergencies.”
It is believed that at least one death may have been due to taking Yaz. Leah Mayfield, a 20 year old Tennessee Tech student, collapsed in the shower and later died of a pulmonary embolism. Her family said the doctor told them it may have been due to taking Yaz and the family has since filed suit against Bayer.
Bayer has stood behind Yaz, saying the pill is safe and that all possible side effects mentioned in the lawsuits are listed on the labeling.