Yasmin Pulmonary Embolism Known to be Fatal

Yasmin pulmonary embolism has been linked to the death of at least one young woman who began taking the drospirenone-based fourth-generation birth control when she was just thirteen. Although she was not sexually active at the time, her dermatologist advised that she begin taking Yasmin or the generic form of the birth control pill, Ocella, as a treatment for acne. A number of other acne treatments had proven ineffective for Brittany Prewitt. Yasmin and Ocella are not approved by the Food and Drug Administration as an acne treatment, although the similar drug Yaz has been approved for use against acne.

Brittany began to experience pain on the back of her left leg on May 20, 2009. Her doctor diagnosed the condition, which appeared to be a rash, as dermatitis, and within two weeks it had spread across her abdomen, torso, wrists, and neck. On June 13th of the same year, Brittany Prewitt collapsed and was pronounced dead at Memorial Mission Hospital in Asheville, North Carolina.

The cause of death was determined to be Yaz pulmonary embolism – blood clots had blocked major arteries in both of Brittany’s lungs. A Yaz lawsuit has now been filed by the young woman’s family against drugmaker Bayer, manufacturer of both Yaz and Yasmin. Recent studies have linked both popular forms of birth control to potentially deadly blood clots and embolisms.

There is some risk for blood clot with any hormonal birth control, but a British study has shown that women taking Yaz, Yasmin, and other drospirenone-based birth controls are two to three times more likely to develop these serious Yaz blood clots than women taking any other form of hormonal birth control. The Food and Drug Administration has released a statement saying that they are evaluating claims related to these birth control methods and are conducting their own study that could definitively link Yaz and Yasmin to blood clots and other side effects, including gallbladder disease, that have affected hundreds of patients across the country.

Yaz remains one of the most popular forms of oral contraceptive on the market today, especially among young women. Those suffering from the adverse effects of Yaz are advised to contact an experienced Yaz lawyer immediately to ensure proper representation in filing a lawsuit.