Study Shows YAZ, YASMIN Oral Contraceptives Elevate Blood Clot Risk
By Jim Greene
Published on January 13, 2010
A study published in the British Medical Journal shows that drospirenone, a key ingredient in YAZ® and YASMIN® oral contraceptives from Bayer, exposes women to an elevated risk of developing dangerous blood clots that may be fatal for some.
Researchers analyzed the medical records of more than 5,000 women treated for blood clots at six clinics in the Netherlands between 1999 and 2004. It was already known that women taking oral contraceptives were at a higher risk for clots than those not taking them. The study goal was to compare the risk levels of levonorgestrel, gestodene, desogestrel, cyproterone acetate, and drospirenone, each of which is the progestin ingredient in various oral contraceptives.
YAZ Ingredient More Dangerous than Most
Data showed that taking any oral contraceptive increases the chance of blood clots by at least four times, compared to taking none. Drospirenone, used in YAZ® and YASMIN®, increased the likelihood by more than six times, second only to cyproterone acetate.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) earlier this year ordered Bayer to include the risk of blood clots in warning messages the company was required to disseminate to correct what the agency characterized as misinformation about alleged beneficial side effects.
Potassium Overload Another Possible Issue
The corrective YAZ® messages also advise those who have had kidney, liver, or adrenal disease to seek medical advice before taking the contraceptive, since it could contribute to elevated potassium levels that can lead to heart disease and other health problems.
If you or someone you know has suffered blood clots or other health problems linked to YAZ® oral contraceptives, you need the services of an experienced personal injury attorney. By using YAZ®, you were exposed to a higher risk of health issues, a fact that Bayer failed to disclose. You deserve financial compensation to help you deal with the medical issues and other serious consequences you face. Your attorney will fight for your rights and for a better future.
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