Yaz, Yasmin and Ocella linked to Pulmonary Embolisms

Yaz, Yasmin and Ocella have been linked to the risk of blood clots which can cause pulmonary embolism. The types of blood clots caused by Yaz, Yasmin and Ocella are more formally known as thrombosis. Thrombosis is the formation or presence of a blood clot (thrombus) in a blood vessel. If the thrombus breaks loose and travels through the bloodstream, it is a thromboembolism. The clot may plug a vessel in the lungs (pulmonary embolism), brain (stroke), gastrointestinal tract, kidneys, or leg.

Yaz and Yasmin Cases Consolidated in MDL in Southern District of Illinois

Today the Judicial Panel on Multidistrict litigation filed its order transferring all federal court Yaz/Yasmin lawsuits to the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Illinois. MDL 2100 was assigned to Judge David R. Herndon. The pretrial proceedings for these cases will be handled under the title, IN RE: Yasmin and Yaz (Drospirenone) Marketing and Sales Practices and Products Liability Litigation. The Order comes after a hearing in front of the Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation last week.

The cases consolidated under MDL involve allegations that Yaz, Yasmin and the generic, Ocella, are associated with increased risks of pulmonary embolism, deep vein thrombosis, stroke, heart attack and serious gallbladder disease. The cases will be consolidated for the purposes of discovery and pretrial motions.

Yaz – Yasmin – Ocella and Stroke

Yaz, Yasmin and Ocella have been linked to the risk of blood clots which can cause strokes. Experts believe Yaz and Yasmin have a prothombotic effect due to the progestin drospirenone or drsp. Drsp is a potassium-sparing diuretic which can cause an increase in potassium. Unsafe levels of potassium in the blood, also known as hyperkalemia, can disrupt heart rhythms and slow the flow of blood. This can lead to blood clotting.

A blood clot in a blood vessel is thrombus. If the thrombus causes a thromboembolism. The clot may plug a vessel in the lungs (Pulmonary embolism), brain (stroke), gastrointestinal tract, kidneys, or leg.

Yaz and Yasmin May Be Linked to Pancreatic Cancer

The birth control pills, Yaz and Yasmin that have been linked with other digestive organ problems such as gallstones, gallbladder disease, pancreatitis and kidney failure may now be linked to Pancreatic Cancer.

As of October 6, 2009 not much is known about the potential link between Yaz, Yasmin and pancreatic cancer.

More Lawsuits Filed Against Bayer Over Yaz and Yasmin

Bayer has been sued by two Pennsylvania pension funds and accused of misrepresenting the safety and effectiveness of the Yaz contraceptive to boost sales, according to a Bloomberg report. The lawsuit claims that Bayer unlawfully promoted Yaz and Yasmin from March 2006 to March 2009 by hiding the risks of the birth control pills. The risks that were concealed include blood clots, heart attacks, pulmonary embolisms and gallbladder disease. The complaint was filed by the Philadelphia Firefighters Union Local No. 22 Health and Welfare Fund and the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, District 47 Health and Welfare Fund. The suit was filed in the U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Pennsylvania (Philadelphia).