Attention Yaz birth control users: Yaz has been linked to serious side effects, including blood clots, pulmonary embolism and stroke. If you or someone you love has suffered an adverse effect of Yaz, we may be able to help you collect financial compensation for your suffering. To speak with a personal injury attorney who represents people who have suffered serious drug side effects in the greater San Diego area, contact The Law Office of Melinda J. Helbock, A.P.C.
Yaz® (drospirenone) is a birth control pill which prevents the ovaries from releasing an egg. It also changes the lining of the cervix and uterus. This interferes with sperm reaching the uterus, and if sperm should succeed in getting to the uterus and fertilizing an egg, the drug makes it harder for the fertilized egg to attach to the uterine wall.
The medication also is used to treat moderate acne in females who are at least 14 and have begun to menstruate and to treat the symptoms of premenstrual dysphoric disorder. These include anxiety, depression, irritability, difficulty with concentration, changes in sleep patterns or eating, breast tenderness, pain in the joints or muscles and increase in weight.
A nine-year study conducted in Denmark of 1.3 million Danish women showed that Yaz, containing the newer synthetic hormone drospirenone, coincided with a six-fold increase in the risk of a woman getting venous thrombosis. This is the formation of a blood clot deep in the leg or the thigh that could break loose from its current position and travel through the bloodstream and get stuck in the lungs.
This six-fold risk dropped to a three-fold risk in women who used an older form of contraceptive that instead of containing drospirenone contained levonorgestrel. The study arriving at these data was published in an October 2011 online issue of BMJ (previously called the British Medical Journal). The New York Times, in reporting on the study, quoted BNJ saying, “It is crucial, however, not to exaggerate the risk — oral contraceptives are remarkably safe and may confer important long-term benefits in relation to cancer and mortality.”[1]
In addition to increasing the chances of getting blood clots, side effects seen in patients taking Yaz include:
Other side effects, which in general are not as serious, include:
Smoking increases the risk of Yaz causing blood clots. This is especially true for women over 35 years of age. A pregnant woman should not take Yaz because it might cause miscarriage or birth defects. Certain medications interact with Yaz. This might decrease the efficacy of the medications or cause you to become sick. You need to let your doctor know all the medications you are taking, including food supplements and herbs.
In addition to the possible side effects that might occur with Yaz, you should not take the medication if you have the following conditions[2]:
To be sure it is safe for you to take Yaz, you should also tell your doctor if you currently have, or have a history of:
If you are one of the hundreds of women who have taken Yaz and you developed blood clots or other serious side effects, you may be entitled to compensation. To speak with a San Diego personal injury lawyer who is experienced in these types of cases, contact The Law Office of Melinda J. Helbock, A.P.C. by calling (858) 794-1456.
http://prescriptions.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/10/26/study-yaz-has-higher-risks-of-blood-clots/
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http://www.drugs.com/yaz.html
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*Additional Notes: Yaz® (drospirenone) is manufactured by Bayer. Click here for Patient Information.
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