Yasmin and Yaz Birth Control Lawsuits Mount Against Bayer

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A growing number of lawsuits over Yaz and Yasmin have been filed throughout the country against pharmaceutical giant Bayer, alleging that women suffered serious and potentially life-threatening injuries after using the birth control pills.

Yaz and Yasmin, which are both manufactured by Bayer, are combined oral contraceptives that contain ethinyl estradiol, long used in oral contraceptives, and drospirenone, a new type of progestin that is not used in any other birth control pills approved in the United States.

The Yaz and Yasmin birth control lawsuits all contain similar allegations that the warnings are inadequate because they do not properly indicate that the use of drospirenone increases the risk that women may suffer a variety of side effects, such as:

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  • Strokes
  • Heart attacks
  • Pulmonary Embolism (PE)
  • Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT)
  • Cardiac Arrhythmias
  • Gallbladder Disease
  • Kidney Failure
  • Sudden Death

Drosprenone can increase blood potassium levels, potentially resulting in a condition known as hyperkalemia, which is known to disrupt heart rhythms and potentially lead to death. Individuals who have pre-existing kidney, liver and adrenal disease could be particularly susceptible.

Over 50 reports of Yasmin or Yaz deaths were reported to the FDA between the first quarter of 2004 and the third quarter of 2008, according to some of the complaints. The deaths involved women as young as 17 and included cardiac arrests, pulmonary embolisms and strokes, with elevated levels of potassium in the blood frequently reported.

Earlier this month it was reported that four new lawsuits over the birth control pills were filed in federal court, with three in Ohio and one in Wisconsin. This week, another 7 suits were filed in the Northern District of Ohio. All of the complaints allege that side effects of Yaz or Yasmin were a factor in the plaintiffs’ injuries.

The number of state and federal Yaz birth control lawsuits has increased this year, following a third warning by the FDA that Bayer’s advertisements and marketing for the birth control pills are false and misleading. FDA warning letters indicated that Yaz ads made exaggerated claims about the drug’s benefits, and downplayed or did not mention important side effects. As a result of pressure from the FDA and states attorneys from several states, Bayer agreed to spend $20 million on a corrective advertising campaign.

Tags: Bayer, Birth Control, Deep Vein Thrombosis, Heart Attack, Pulmonary Embolism, Stroke, Yasmin, Yaz
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339 Comments

Savhanna
I was put on yasmin back in 2003 till 2008 i was always having major stomach issues but no doctors ever knew what was wrong till one day i ended up in the ER in May of 08 with stabing pain and i had to end up having my gallblader removed because it was brown and all sludgey. Then in Aug. 08 I was dignosed with Addisons Disease (Adrenal Insufficiency) and we all well family wondered how i ended up with this well i have done some research and talked to other people that has addisons and they also say that they were on yasmin to and that is causes adrenal issues. I have been in and out of the hospitals more then i bargen for and more medical bills then i bargen for to!
connie
I am looking for info because I have very bad aching legs yes I am on yaz i also have a cyst on my ovary. After reading these posts I am off this pill. I have gained weight and am tired constantly.thought it was stress.
Sheri
I have been on yaz for a little over a yr.after my ob decided for me to switch after having breast lumps and cysts. I had just renently gotten off of it because of all of the side effects that I have been having including: some loss of eye sight, breast lumps, breast cysts, tiredness, heart palpatations, horrible pmdd etc. This birth control is horrible for me. And now I am afraid to take any other contraceptives.
Mary
i was on the depo shot for 5 years I switched to yaz two months ago.When I first switched to yaz the first several weeks I felt sick to my stomach but after that I have not had any side affects not even a period.
Sandra
Do not take YAZ, YASMIN, or OCELLA. They are deadly. My daughter is 19 left yesterday for WWU. She had been taking YAZ for about 2 years with no side effects, in May of this year right before her graduation she woke up with a severe migrane, then proceeded to vomit. She has never had a migrane in her life, we thought she had the flu, her symptoms kept getting worse migraines, vomiting, blurry vision, dizziness, fainting, heart palpitations, low low blood pressure, high heart rate, (the following came around the 2nd month) sore kidney area, sore up under her rib cage, loss of vision in right eye. She also had cysts that were on both ovaries, she had removed, (I believe YAZ causes ovarian cysts also) all of these symptoms came in succession, we thought she just had the flu at first, but then it got to the point she couldn’t get off the couch or out of bed. Ironically, she had gone off of her birth control for about 2-3 weeks…boyfriend left for Alaska, she started with the migraines weakness and vomiting, went back on birth control thinking the illness might be womping PMS or something and then she got progressively worse. She has been off of all chemical birth control 4 weeks this Thursday and slowly her symptoms are going away, she went 5 whole days with out throwing up last week. After going through everything we have over the last several months I would NEVER have my girls on birth control again. In conclusion her gynecologist agreed with us that YAZ, Yasmin, Ocella, cause tiny blood clots in the system and when my daughter lost vision in her right eye we took her off bc. Liz now uses a diaphragm. Stay completely away from these products!!!!!!
Christine
It only took 16 days on YAZ to change my life. At 55 I was bleeding heavily from a very large fibroid. My gynecologist prescribed YAZ to stem the bleeding. I felt so ill from the pill that I stopped it but not before it did it’s insidious damage. I continued to bleed and while I was in hospital from blood loss, they found DVT and PE. I now have an IVC filter and spend far too much time managing my health. I have devastating nosebleeds from the blood thinners. I’ve spent 2 weeks in hospital and had 7 ER visits since March. And it only took 16 days on YAZ.
Patricia
I’ve taken this drug for over 4 years with no bad side effects at all. My liver levels are a bit high though, don’t know if Yaz is the cause or one too many glasses of wine in the evening. I’ll be smart and look into it further. But I have been very happy with Yaz.
Paulina
I’m 26, and since I was 14, I have been taking birth control. At 24, I stopped for a year, and then decided to start taking them again. My doctor prescribed Yasmin. 2 months after starting the pills, I was rushed to hospital with a pulmonary embolism that nearly took my life. 2 weeks in emergency care, I was diagnosed with 2 pulmonary emoblisms, one in each lung and dvt in my right leg. The clot broke from under my knee and went straight to my lungs. This pertifying experience caused enormous amounts of pain, rehabilitation, I couldn’t go back to work, I was constantly being poked and proded by needles, morphine and coumadin. One year later, I am still recovering. I am not able to take ANY birth control pills, I go for regular followups, and my decision to get pregnant in the future comes with a ridiculous amount of care and specialization, so I am told. I would not wish this upon my worst enemy. Within 4 hours of experiencing chest pain, to sitting in a hospital bed was all it took to change my life. Never, will I take breathing for granted again. I was prepared to say goodbye to my family in the hospital, and had shocked the doctors that I in fact lived through a clot 3.3 cm long. To all of the women, especially young women who are thinking of birth control, stay away from Yasmin, or it could take your life.
Christina
I have been on Yaz for a year now and ever since I have been taking it, I have been getting all these weird things happening to my body. I am 28 years old and my heart feels like it fluttering and I can’t breathe. I also developed a cyst on my right overy which is being watched to see if it may be cancerous or not, kidney pains, body aches and loss of hair and circulation in my legs. All of these symptoms are too muchand are being followed up with the doctor. Rest asure I am never taking any birth control pills again
Lori
OMG!!! I can’t believe what I’m reading!!!!! I have been on YAZ for 2 1/2 yrs because of heavy periods and of course to not get pregnant. Loved it at first but lots of mood swings, soooo tired all the time. Recently, never having any trouble with my gall baldder before, instantly had an attack at home (thank god). I seriously thought I was having a heart attack! My chest hurt, pain and numbness in my right shoulder/arm. Worse than labor pains! Rushed to ER. Did blood work and found that my liver enzymes were elevated. ER doc said, probably caused by the YAZ especially since I had never had any problems before. Great! So he ordered ultrasound and they found tons of gall stones and I have to have surgery!!! We are in the process of moving and I have trouble with my knee and need surgery on that too. I just don’t have time for this! The pain is severe and I’ve had several attacks since the ER visit. Can’t even get into a surgeon for consultation til’ Oct. 2. I can’t believe how severe some of the things are that are happening. I’ve also been getting migraines here and there too and now I know why! So sad
Sharon
My daughter has been taking Yaz for 3yrs. It did help with PMMD, I was the one she usually screamed at. It also slowed the heavy periods and cramping at times. She has had thinning hair after taking Yaz. Lately she has had breakthrough bleeding (she calls it) 3 weeks of periods. This has made it impossible for her to go for her yearly pap. This spring she had a severe kidney infection. She has never has a problem with kidney disease in the past. The Dr. wanted her to be admitted at the hospital. She is a college student and can’t miss class, she refused. I am seeing from the past comments that she has a pattern here along with some of the other ladies. She stopped taking the Yaz and is able to go this week to her Gyn to check on another form of PMMD medication and birth control.
nicky
i had extreme menstrual cycles that left me home & in terrible pain. My doc prescribed yasmine. i felt so much better. shortly after my breast’s hurt so badly like i had been punched! i started to have what my mom called “panic attacks” but i never had anxiety. My stomach was the worst i was in & out of doctors offices & hospitals but no one knew why i had terrible diarrhea & vomiting. Finally a doctor diagnosed me with crohns disease yet I’m on medication for that but i have no relief. I’am shocked no doctor thought to ask about my birth control pill. why my gyn never told me the ricks for the medicine he prescribed. I’am now on ocella thinking i was lucky it now comes in generic. I will be having a long discussion with my gyn of why i wasn’t told the risks are 6x more likely with this birth control then others. currently i’am in so much pain everywhere, ranging from migraines, to swelling knees… My doctor will have alot to answer for & i want to switch my birth control. As well as have my gallbladder checked. So sorry so many women have died all because we live in a country fueled by money & power. Shame on the doctors & the pharmaceutical companies!!!!
Hope
Wow! I thought that my ‘miracle’ was great, but I am really reconsidering it right now! If it has killed 1 person, that’s one too many. This drug has over stayed it’s welcome, and needs to be banned! I am going on a new BC tomorrow!
Sheri
I have been taking YAZ for appx. a yr. and a half. Ever since then I have been very tired, i have devolped numerous breast lumps, i’ve not been sexually involved, & i have the worse pms than I ever had. So my ob told me that the next time I am seen for my yr. exam she is going to switch my birth control. That is in about 1 week. And I can’t wait. Hopefully I can get something that will work with me better. Good Luck…
Deahna
In October of 2003, I was prescribed YAZ to help reduce my extremely heavy menstrual cycles. On February 20, 2004, I had suffered a thrombosis, blood clots in my brain. I was 34 years old, non-smoker, and had just been engaged in December 2003. Miraculously I survived, without any side-effects. Finding out that mine was not an isolated case, makes me realize how fortunate I am, no side-effects what so ever and I am still here to write about it. I am filing my law-suit against Bayer today………
MaryJane
I have been taking Yaz for just about 2 and a half years now. In that time I have been admitted to the hospital 3 times for what the doctors were calling anxiety and panic attacks. “I’m not anxious”, I told them, “My chest hurts and I’m having a hard time breathing”. It felt like someone was blowing up a balloon inside my chest. They tested me for cardiac enzymes to make sure I wasn’t having a heart attack, which I wasn’t, but, they never even said anything about a PE which I brought up several times since I work in the medical field. Since beginning Yaz I have gained 40 pounds, I have been 10 times more moody and irritable, I have had anxiety that I never had before, I get frequent chest pains and within an hour of taking them, I get heart palpatations. Recently I have noticed that I also have a small lump in my breast and from research I have found that it is probably due to th overload of hormones in my system. I find my self crying all the time, feeling lightheaded and even have trouble talking too. Almost like my brain isn’t picking up on what I need to do. I don’t think I have had any strokes, even TIA’s, but one never knows until a CT has been taken and a TIA is so small that sometimes it can’t be detected. I have frequent chest pains and numbness in my arm as well as jaw and neck pain too. I am tired all the time, have trouble sleeping and sometimes I feel like my blood pressure is so low, that I can’t even get out of bed or off the couch. Take this pill off of the market, it is dangerous!
Valerie
My daughter took Yaz and she had to have her gallbladder removed and was hospitalized when her heart was showing signs of swelling she was fainting and had shaking spells, and very bad migraines, they found a ASD in her heart that had to be fixed because it was growing larger and causing her heart to swell, she was seventeen at the time all the doctors said birth control couldn’t be a factor.
denise
i was on yaz for about 4 months. it caused depression, mood swings and hair thinning. these are just the symptoms that i noticed. i stopped taking it as soon as i realized it was the culprit. now i believe it has also caused a slight slur in my speech. i’m very angry that more of the side effects weren’t revealed. drug companies need to be honest about the drugs they’re pushing. people are dying, and suffering from ailments that they don’t have to suffer from.
Julie
This is all so confusing. I just got out of the hospital after 6 nights that included a stay in the ICU, and a diagnosis of PE….blood clots in the lungs. I was aware that blood clots were a risk of being on oral birth control, but had no idea my risk was maybe 6 times greater being on Yaz (according to research quoted in an article on this website.) I read all the information that comes with Yaz, and it did not say I was at a greater risk for clots than any other oral birth control. However, I was at great risk and I am lucky to be alive. I hope no one else suffers from the dangerous side and potentially fatal effects of Yaz.
Juanita
I just as mad because since I started taking Yaz, I have several kidney infections, and UTI, not to mention that no one acknowledge that I was pregnant until my tube burst and I ended up have emergency surgery.
Loretta
I was prescribed Yasmin back in 2002 to treat polycystic ovaries, and took the bcp for 2 years before being diagnosed with a DVT in my right leg in Oct. 2004. I was hospitalized for 7 days while on heparin (blood thinning) therapy. About 7 or 8 months prior to this hospitalization, I had to have my gall bladder removed due to gallstones. I now have poor circulation in my right leg and edema.
Keri
Kaylia, I’ve experienced a lot more headaches on Yaz and have also noticed a big drop in sex drive
Brandi
I was told and hailed that Yasmin would be so great by my OB/GYN (I have PCOS so it was supposed to be a helpful miracle pill) and about a month after starting it I noticed a pain in my left shoulder, like in the joint. Thinking I had bursitis I went to my doc and got meds, but then I started having chest pain and it felt like my lungs were sticking to my ribs everytime I exhaled. It was sharp pain and I couldn’t breathe much. I wanted to cry out the pain was so bad but that only made the pain worse. I went to the ER and they gave me a shot of morphine which the nurse desribed as “one of the largest doses she’s ever given and she’s been there for years”. The morphine toned down the pain for all of about 30 minutes. I could’nt lay on my back because of the pain so when I got home I had to sit in the recliner and sleep upright. During this time my leg starts hurting as well until one day I was sitting at work and noticed it swelling. It was also getting increasingly difficult to walk on it. To make a long story short I was at the ER 3 times before anyone found out I had a blood clot in my leg and then multiple blood clots in my lungs. Thank you YASMIN, you caused me great pain but I guess I should be greatful I wasn’t killed like the other, god bless their souls, 50 women this drug has killed due to these issues. My life is worth something, I am not a number. I am not a paycheck for Bayer…..they need to understand they are killing people.
Kaylia
I agree with Lena. I have been on Yasmin for 2 years and haven’t had these traumatic issues but I have had very bad headaches. In February, I had headaches to the point of migraine pain without the light sensitivity. I saw the doctor multiple times and we tried a lot of medications. After about 4 months, we said it was stress and lack of sleep. I still ge them and just say I must be stressed but I now I’m thinking it might now be stressed. Has anyone else noticed a big drop in sex drive?
Mary
I took Yaz for 5 months. The worst I have ever felt! I had the chills all the time, at night I would sweat profusely, I had constant headaches, fatigue, and moodiness like perpetaul PMS . I was prescribed it for PMMD and was told it would help curb those several days prior to my period that I felt very crabby, tired, hungry and sad. Instead, I felt worse . I cried quite a bit and didn’t know why. I also had bladder and yeast infections all the time. Since I have been off of it for 6 months, I just found out I have a tumor in my Uterus during my yearly exam. I have never had any tumors, nor have any of my family members. I am getting testing done to see what is going on. I am afraid that it will grow bigger as it is the size of a dime now. I had nothing wrong one year ago. It is causing me pain and it is also causing me to be tired and I still get headaches even though I am off the Yaz. I knew after I was on Yaz that I wasn’t feeling right . I woul d not recommend this birth control method to anyone.
Lena
I have been taking yaz for almost a year and nothing has happened to me. I’m kind of scared now though and I think I’m going to talk to my doctor about this.
Samantha
I started taking Yaz birthcontrol in December of 2008. I swithed from the Depo shot. In February of 2009 I had emergency surgery to get my Gallbladder removed. I had several Gall stones. I woke up in the middle of the night thinking I had severe acid reflux. I went to the emergency room and waited for several hours before going back home because my husband had to go to work and we have a 2 year old daughter. Later that day everything was fine. The next night it happened again. Then I knew it was something more serious. So I drove back to the emergency room. The did all kinds of test. CT scan, ultrasound. Come to find out I had Gall stones and my Gall bladder was very inflamed. I had emergency surgery that day. I am better now and still taking the Yaz but now I’m afraid something else might happen.
chaadra
i was taking yaz for over a year and i have been suffering from depression and mood swings i have also been getting cyst i have had to go through numerous blood test and antibiotics tring to find a way to stop the cyst from coming back untill i was told that they were caused by a overage of homones and for me to stop taking yaz but i still get even though i am no longer using yaz the only way to stop them from coming back is to have surgery to remove the gland thats creating them this really sucks
Sara
I took Yaz for almost 4 years. For over three years the pill was wonderful!!! I had a light period and almost no cramps at all. Then i started getting really sick. I would vomit at least 3 times a week. I felt so tired. I ended up with two tumors in my breast. The doctor said it was most likely from the yaz but i didn’t switch pills. One day I was shopping and my chest started hurting as well as my arm. I kept getting sharp pains down my face and eyes. It was the worst i have ever felt!!! I should have went to the hospital but didn’t…. i laid on the couch for days after that! I have been to the doctor I don’t know how many times now to figure out whats goin on with my body. My gallbladder is not in good shape…plus i have to have surgery to remove the tumors!!! YAZ should be removed from the market!!! It might take you months to see side effects or YEARS!!! I thought people were crazy for saying bad things about MY miracle pill but trust me its not a miracle at all!!!!
Dan
Lawyers will look for any deep pockets to sue over. The key question is what is the incidence of these side effects with other oral contraceptives and in the general population. Anecdotes like those posted are of interest but do not constitute proof of anything. Post-hoc ergo propter hoc does not prove causation!
ashley
i love this product. It is the best pill I have ever tired for cramps. I have not had a side effect yet and it’s been over a year. Do not pull this product, I don’t know what I would do. Some people just need more side effects written on the medication.
Tallasa
I had very bad bloodclots when taken Yasmin and now that Iam off them it is worst.
Tallasa
I have taken Yasmin and had some side effect such as bloodclots, while on the pill . When I stop taken them my bloodclots got worst Other side effects I had were bad head aches,wait gain,bladder infections and still suffer from these side effects today.
Teri
I have been taking Yasmin for approximately 6 years and haven’t had any problems. I hope not too. I would have to say that I agree with Trish and think it depends on the person taking the pill.
Kristin
I had my first child in October 2007, did not go back on birth control until after breastfeeding, after the new year when I went back to work. I was on yaz for a few months and feeling very moody and tired and all of a sudden had major back pain, near my left lung. After 2 days of pain I had to be driven to an urgent care due to the fact I could not move because of being in such severe pain! I was given a shot in my hip for the pain and told I had pneumonia and given pain pills and antibiotics. After another 2 days, and not feeling any better, I woke up in the middle of the night vomiting, having night sweats even though to the touch I was ice cold and feeling very anxious and irritated. My husband drove me to the emergency room at about 3 am and the doctors did a CT Scan to check my chest and lungs. Thats when I found out I had a Pulmonary Embolism at the age of 25, and right before Christmas of 2008. I was hopitalized immediately and for one week. I had every test imaginable to check for a genetic disorder or whatever else could have caused this problem for someone my age. The culprit…YAZ BIRTH CONTROL! I had to be on blood thinners for 6 months, go to the doctor every 2 weeks for blood test, completely change my lifestyle! I missed work, had to leave work early, missed out on my wages and used up a big portion of my FMLA and sick time and vacation time at work. This birth control pill should definately be taken off the market, it is not safe for anyone, I have heard more horror stories than positive stories from this pill!
Trish
I have been taking Yaz for 2 years and not yet had a problem with it. I think it all depends on the person taking it.
Betty
My wife is in Guayaquil and has taken this product. She had to have surgery on her wrist for vien thrombosis.
Carol
I had Bloodclots in my lungs a few weeks ago frm Yaz. while I was hospitalized 2 other youg girls came in for blood clots due to Yaz. I hope this drug can be taken off the market before more people die or suffer like I did.
Jessica
well this kinda makes me mad since when i started taking yaz ive had 6 kidney infections and a kideny stone and my doctor said there was no way that my birth control was the reason well im getting it switched as soon as possible i have been sick with these infections for over a year and its messing with school
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