Serious Side Effects From Yaz and Yasmin Oral Contraceptives

-Best Syndication

07/15/2009 - If you are taking either Yaz or Yasmin birth control pills, be aware that there could be some severe effects on your health. Those who have elevated blood potassium should not take these pills, because they can raise your blood potassium. A high potassium level in the body can cause:

• Heart attack

• Stroke

• Gallbladder disease

• Kidney disease

• Pulmonary embolism

• Deep vein thrombosis

Yaz and Yasmin are both combination oral contraceptives, but they have an ingredient called drsp (drospirenone) which makes them different from other combination oral contraceptives. This is the ingredient that can raise your potassium level. It is a new kind of progestin called drospirenone.

If you have any kidney or liver impairment or any adrenal gland problems, Yaz and Yasmin are contraindicated, again because they can raise your potassium level dangerously high. The same is true if you are obese or diabetic, or if your blood pressure is chronically too high.

Bayer Healthcare Marketing

Yaz has been FDA-approved for both birth control and treatment of PMDD (Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder). PMDD is similar to Pre-Menstrual Syndrome (PMS) but gives more severe symptoms.

Bayer Healthcare has been marketing Yaz as a good treatment for both PMS and acne, despite the fact that the FDA has not approved it for either condition. This is probably one reason why Yaz has become so widely prescribed and used. In 2008 Yaz sales amounted to more than $600 million.

FDA Warning to Bayer Healthcare

In October, 2008, the FDA sent a letter to Bayer warning them about their violations of some of the provisions in the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act. Two of Bayer’s advertisement are cited, entitled “Not Gonna Take it” and “Balloons”.

The letter states that these two ads “are misleading because they broaden the drug's indication, overstate the efficacy of YAZ, and minimize serious risks associated with the use of the drug.

If you are taking Yaz or Yasmin and have not yet suffered any problem, you might want to check with your doctor for preventive reasons. If you have taken Yaz or Yasmin (or their generic form called Ocella) and have suffered any of the above-listed conditions as a result, you may have a valid legal claim.