Blood Clots and Hyperkalemia Linked to Yaz Birth Control

Growing concerns over the risk of Yaz blood clots from side effects of drospirenone, the active ingredient in Yaz and Yasmin birth control, has led Canadian health officials to launch an investigation, just one week after U.S. regulators launched a similar safety review of the popular pills. Notice of the safety review into a possible risk of blood clots with birth control pills containing drospirenone was released in the United States by the FDA on May 31, providing additional information for women taking the medications. The safety review was initiated based on two published studies that reported there is a greater risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE) among women taking Yaz, Yasmin or other drospirenone birth control pills. The risk has been reported to be up to 2 to 3 times greater than the risk associated with levonorgestrel birth control pills.

Manufactured by Bayer Healthcare, Yaz and Yasmin, as well as the generic equivalent Ocella, are once-a-day oral contraceptives used to prevent pregnancy. In addition, Yaz has also been FDA-approved as the only the birth control pill that can treat Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD), a condition that causes severe emotional and physical symptoms around a women's menstrual cycle. Unfortunately, this popular birth control pill, which made more than $600 million dollars in 2008, has been linked to serious Yaz side effects including venus thrombosis.

One of the most popular oral contraceptives on the market, Yasmin and Yaz contain a different type of hormone known as drsp or drospirenone. Although Bayer Healthcare claims that they are as safe as other types of birth control pills, drospirenone can increase a user's potassium levels, known as hyperkalemia, which can cause potentially life-threatening heart problems and other health issues. Bayer currently faces about 7,000 Yaz lawsuits, Yasmin lawsuits and Beyaz lawsuits, which allege that the drug maker has failed to adequately warn about the increased risk of health problems associated with the birth control pills. The complaints have been filed on behalf of women who have suffered heart attacks, strokes, pulmonary embolism, deep vein thrombosis, gallbladder disease and other serious injuries after using Yaz, Yasmin, Beyaz or other drospirenone birth control pills.