Health officials in the U.K. are providing new warnings for medical professionals about the increased risk of blood clots associated with combined hormonal contraceptives like Yaz and Yasmin, compared to other birth control pills. In its report, the MHRA noted that nine to 12 women out of every 10,000 who take Yaz, Yasmin or another third-generation oral contraceptive will experience a blood clot injury like pulmonary embolism, stroke or deep vein thrombosis. If you believe you have been adversely affected by side effects of Yaz or Yasmin birth control pills, our consumer advocates at the Consumer Justice Foundation can help. We are dedicated to protecting the rights of consumers harmed by dangerous pharmaceutical drugs, and can help put you in touch with an experienced Yaz lawyer in your area.
In a letter issued to healthcare providers just last month, the U.K.’s Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) highlighted the risk of blood clots associated with Yaz, Yasmin and other “third-generation” birth control pills, which combine the hormones estrogen and progestin. According to the MHRA, the oral contraceptives associated with the highest blood clot risk were those that contain the progestins drospirenone, gestodene and desogestrel. Drospirenone is used in the brand-name birth control pills Yasmin and Yaz, as well as in generic versions like Gianvi, Ocella and Yasminelle. Although MHRA officials stressed in their report that the overall risk of blood clots and blood clot-related injuries among Yaz and Yasmin users is small, the agency has called for manufacturers to place stronger blood clot warnings on their oral contraceptive products.
More than 12,000 product liability claims have been brought against Bayer over side effects linked to the drug firm’s Yaz and Yasmin birth control medications, and about 5,000 lawsuits still remain, even after Bayer recently agreed to pay more than $1.6 billion to resolve Yaz and Yasmin complaints. The new blood clot warnings in the U.K. come as Bayer continues to try to settle Yaz and Yasmin lawsuits filed on behalf of women throughout the United States who claim the drug company failed to provide adequate warnings about the risk of blood clot injuries like stroke, pulmonary embolism and deep vein thrombosis associated with the popular medications. If you took Yaz or Yasmin birth control, and you have since suffered a life-threatening blood clot injury, contact a reputable attorney to discuss the possibility of filing a product liability lawsuit against Bayer.
[box type=”note” align=”aligncenter” ]Source: http://www.mhra.gov.uk/home/groups/pl-p/documents/publication/con367447.pdf[/box]
