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There have been a number of lawsuits filed against Bayer, the manufacturers of the Yasmin oral contraceptive and its new, lower-dose counterpart. However, at least one YAZ birth control lawyer has extended the litigation to a retailer as well. In August 2009, an Illinois woman filed suit against both Bayer and Walgreens due to harm she suffered after using Yasmin purchased at the popular drugstore. She experienced a blood clot in her lung, as well as an infection surrounding the clot. Unfortunately, these side effects are not unheard of with this product, and in fact, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has already chastised the manufacturer for misleading advertising. The plaintiff, who resides in St. Clair, alleges that the company failed to warn her about the potential dangers of the drug. Though the FDA prompted a $20 million advertising campaign correcting previous false promises and misleading statements, that correction may have come too late for many women who were convinced to use the product after seeing marketing that touted positive benefits such as clearer skin and less severe premenstrual syndrome. However, these claims of additional benefits may have been exaggerated. Though it can be used to treat the mild form of premenstrual dysphoric disorder and moderate acne, it is ineffective against premenstrual syndrome and mild acne. The drug’s packaging also failed to state warnings about potential serious adverse effects. There have been reports of over 50 related deaths occurring in patients as young as 17 years old. These were associated with conditions such as: • Cardiac arrhythmia
• Cardiac arrest
• Intracardiac thrombus
• Pulmonary embolism
• Stroke The danger most likely arises from drospirenone, a synthetic variety of progestin that is not included in any other contraceptive approved in the United States. The British Medical Journal has published research suggesting that this hormone could as much as double the risk of blood clots. There has also been evidence of increased potassium levels that result in a condition known as hyperkalemia, which may disrupt heart rhythms. This can lead to the slowing of blood to the heart and also increase the chance of blood clots occurring. If these break off and travel to the lungs or to the brain, a pulmonary embolism or stroke is likely. The risk is also higher among women with these pre-existing conditions: • Pregnancy
• History of stroke or blood clot
• Circulation problems
• Heart valve disorder
• Breast or uterine cancer
• Abnormal vaginal bleeding
• Kidney or liver disease
• Adrenal gland disorder
• Severe high blood pressure
• Migraine headaches
• History of jaundice The plaintiff in the Illinois case has stated that she would not have taken the pills if she had been provided with information about the associated risks. She included the drugstore in her suit, alleging that they impliedly warranted the product’s safety in selling it to her. She is seeking both compensatory and punitive damages. These include non-economic and economic damages, medical expenses, legal fees, and costs. For those who have suffered injury from this or any other form of birth control, attorneys may be able to provide the appropriate guidance for seeking financial compensation. An experienced Yasmin birth control lawyer will be able to evaluate whether any particular case is appropriate for litigation. Patients who have used any product that includes drospirenone should consult a doctor immediately upon noticing health problems. For those who have been harmed due to false promises in the misleading advertising campaign, finding the proper legal advice is important. The LegalTube directory will be able to point you toward the legal practice that can offer you the assistance that you need.
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