Yasmin is a relatively new birth control contraceptive marketed heavily to women in the United States. It is manufactured by Bayer, which also markets Yaz birth control. Generic Yasmin is marketed as “Ocella” and is manufactured by Teva. Yaz birth control pills are Combination Oral Contraceptives (COCs) designed to prevent pregnancy. The birth control pill works by preventing ovulation and making it difficult for sperm to reach the uterus by causing changes in the cervical and uterine lining. Yaz is a combination tablet of drospirenone and ethinyl estradiol. Yasmin (generic: Ocella) is a variation of Yaz that contains a different amount of ethinyl estradiol. Yaz is a fourth generation birth control pill that may be used to treat moderate acne, or premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD), a painful and crippling form of PMS. All are produced by Bayer HealthCare Pharmaceuticals and are only available via prescription.

FDA approved since 2001, Yaz is a 24/4 birth control pill that is made of drospirenone and ethinyl. In a 24/4 pill cycle, the first 24 pills are active with the hormones while the final four pills are placebos that, when taken, allow for menstuation (due to the absence of hormones in these pills).

Yaz birth control tablets should be taken once daily, at the same time each day. This type of birth control pill has been associated with dangerous health risks and is not recommended for women with the following conditions:

• High blood pressure
• Migraine headaches
• Heart valve disorder
• Kidney or liver problems
• Adrenal gland disorder
• Unusual vaginal bleeding
• Breast, uterine, or any form of hormone-dependant cancer
• History of jaundice
• Gallbladder diseases
• Diabetes
• Seizures or epilepsy
• High cholesterol

Yaz, Yasmin and Ocella continue to make news headlines as The New Jersey judiciary considered a mass tort status. Currently, there are 39 lawsuits pending against the drug manufacturers in New Jersey counties and 10 lawsuits in Texas. The consideration was based on the expected increase in plaintiffs, geographic locations of the parties involved, and one judge oversee the efficiency in the case. The lawsuits allege prescription contraceptives drugs Yaz, Yasmin and Ocella contained Drospirenone. Recently, studies released from the British Medical Journal showed that women taking Drospirenone were at a higher risk of forming venous blood clots, as opposed to women who took other name brand birth control contraceptives. Drospirenone is not present in any other type of oral contraceptive on the market and is allegedly unlike any other progestin (mini-pills, implant and shot form) in the United States.

The FDA then took necessary steps and issued a warning letter to Bayer for using low-quality batches of Drospirenone from one of their plants in Germany. To view the actual FDA letters, CLICK HERE.

If you or a loved one has suffered an injury from using prescription contraceptives drugs Yaz, Yasmin and Ocella, call M&A Law Firm toll free at 1-866-789-1664 to discuss your case with a knowledgeable product liability attorney.

In August 2009, European researches reported women taking oral contraceptives containing drosperinone faced a 6.3 times greater risk of blood clots. Yaz and Yasmin both contain 3 mg of drospirenone, but contain different amounts of ethinyl estradiol, the drug's estrogen component. Yaz, Yasmin and Ocella are known to cause a variety of harmful, potentially fatal side effects, including:

• Blood clots
• Breast lumps
• Deep vein thrombosis (DVT), blood clots in the body's deep veins, generally the legs, that impair healthy circulation
• Gallbladder problems
• Heart attack
• Hyperkalemia, dangerously high levels of potassium in the blood
• Liver damage
• Pulmonary Embolism (PE), blood clots lodged in the lungs that significantly interrupt respiration
• Stroke
• Symptoms of depres

In most cases, Yaz, Yasmin and Ocella patients will experience minor (if any) side effects, such as breast tenderness, weight fluctuations, and/or darkening of the facial skin. Women who are at a heightened risk of developing severe injuries from the birth control pills include those with a history of:

• Adrenal gland disorder
• Blood clot, stroke or circulation problems related to diabetes
• Breast, uterine or hormone-related cancers
• Heart disorders
• Jaundice (caused by contraceptive pills)
• Kidney disease
• Liver disease
• Migraines
• Uncontrolled hypertension
• Unusual vaginal bleeding

Due to the large number of lawsuits involving Yaz, Yasmin and Ocella, the cases will be handled as multidistrict litigation. Multidistrict litigation is a procedure in which the federal court system transfers all pending civil cases with similar circumstances to one judge. Multidistrict litigation is often confused for a class action lawsuit. However, there are some important differences. The main difference is that in a class action suit, a few individuals file a claim on behalf of multiple people or the “class,” whereas in multidistrict litigation, each plaintiff maintains his or her individual claim. Most multidistrict litigations occur in federal court. For more information about multidistrict litigation or your Yaz, Yasmin or Ocella injury, contact our M&A Law Firm toll-free at 1-866-789-1664.

If you or a loved one has been seriously injured after taking Yaz, Yasmin or Ocella birth control pills, you should consult with an experienced defective drug attorney who can help you recover compensation for your losses so you can pay for the treatments you need, and move on with your life. M&A attorneys are also equipped to help families whose loved ones died from a severe side effect of Yaz. Serious injury and death cases can be complicated, it is important to seek legal counsel from a law firm who has experience in handling injury and death claims.

Contact M&A Law Firm toll-free at 1-866-789-1664 today, and schedule a private discussion of your specific circumstances. All initial consultations are FREE of charge. After listening to the details of your case, we will determine the best way to move forward.

The side effects and adverse events associated with Yaz and Yasmin oral contraceptives are quite frequent, and women who have suffered from significant side effects Yasmin birth control or YAZ birth control should consider a lawsuit to obtain fair compensation for their losses, which may include:

• Costs of medical treatment for Yasmin/YAZ-induced side effects — such as stroke, DVT, heart attack, depression and more
• Costs of long-term nursing care for injuries — such as pulmonary (lung) or cardiac (heart) damage
• Costs of physical rehabilitation for YAZ/Yasmin-induced problems — e.g., vision, speech or balance problems
• Costs job rehabilitation — when an injury or illness leaves a woman unable to perform her prior job or engage in her prior level of activity
• Out-of-pocket costs — e.g., for help at home, a nurse's aide, or travel for medical treatment
• Loss of income — both present and future
• Loss of a loved one — compensation for the dependents of a woman who died due to Yasmin or YAZ use
• Funeral and burial costs
• Emotional and physical pain and suffering (sleeping problems, mood swings, lethargy)