Yaz Bellwether Trials on Hold for Mediation

The preliminary bellwether trials for Yaz side effects were scheduled to begin on January 9, 2012, but they have been put on hold as thousands of Yaz side effects lawsuits have been ordered into mediation by Chief Judge David R. Herndon, who is presiding over the Yaz multidistrict litigation case. The order came down on the 31st of December, 2011, and now instead of each lawsuit going to trial they will now pursue settlements through mediation. 

The move was echoed the consolidated Pennsylvania state court side effects lawsuits, as Judge Sandra Mazer Moss ordered the parties into mediation on the 6th of January, 2012. Yaz side effects lawsuits, which deal with such serious conditions as Yaz pulmonary embolism, Yaz blood clot, and Yaz stroke, will be put on hold as the possibility of a global settlement is explored involving thousands of plaintiffs and the defendant, Bayer pharmaceuticals. 

Mediation Over Trial in Yaz MDL

The mulditistrict litigation case involving Yaz birth control has been consolidated in the Southern District of Illinois and is being presided over by Judge David R. Herndon. Now, this judge has decided to go forward with mediation as opposed to a trial for the first Yaz case out of the many that are involved in the litigation. Thousands of cases are involved in the multi district litigation, filed by women who have experienced side effects associated with Yaz and Yasmin birth control medication. 

According to some reports, Yaz is the fourth most popular birth control pill in the United States, although it is one of those with the most Yaz side effects. Thousands of plaintiffs have become involved in litigation against Bayer Pharmaceuticals, holding them accountable for Yaz and Yasmin side effects. Yaz blood clots, stroke, heart attack, Yaz deep vein thrombosis, and pulmonary embolism have all been cited in Yaz birth control lawsuits.

FDA Advisory Committee to Make Ruling on Yaz Safety Concerns

An upcoming FDA hearing on the health risks associated with Yaz birth control could aid in lawsuits filed by women who have suffered from Yaz and Yasmin side effects. Currently, Yaz contraception is still on the market, despite the FDA warnings. Any hearing that leads to a ban on the drug or increases the severity of the warnings would greatly impact the effectiveness of one’s case. Interestingly, in October 2008, Bayer Healthcare announced that it was facing 129 lawsuits regarding the side effects of Yaz and Yasmin. Since then, as more and more women have become aware of and been diagnosed with Yaz side effects, the number of Yaz lawsuits filed have risen significantly.

Cases Against Yaz Filed By Women Who Were Harmed By New Birth Control

Last year, annual sales of Yaz reached $361 million, according to Pennsylvania-based SDI Health, which tracks sales of prescription drugs. Annual sales of Yasmin had declined since 2008 when the drug generated $329 million. A year after Yasmin went on the market; the nonprofit consumer advocacy group Public Citizen placed the drug on its list of “Do not use pills.” In June, FDA regulators acknowledged new evidence that raised more questions about the safety of Yaz and birth control pills like it, including the top-selling generic Ocella. The agency posted a notice on its website saying it was aware of studies recently published in the British Medical Journal that showed oral contraceptives containing drospirenone were two to three times more likely to cause blood clots than other birth control pills.

In an order filed on Monday, Judge David R. Herndon expanded the scope of discovery beyond the 24 cases selected last year to serve as a pool of bellwether lawsuits, which are being prepared for early trial dates. Case-specific discovery, including depositions of individual plaintiffs, will also now be permitted in the oldest 100 non-bellwether cases that have been filed. About 6,350 lawsuits are now consolidated as part of the Yasmin and Yaz litigation before Judge Herndon in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Illinois. When Judge Herndon implemented the original bellwether program in October 2010, there were about 3,700 filed cases and the number of cases is expected to continue to grow as Yaz and Yasmin lawyers review and file additional cases.

When they were approved by regulators, the pills were considered an advance over older forms of oral contraceptives because they were taken for 24 days rather than the usual 21, which was believed to benefit women because it created less hormonal fluctuation. But, all of the suits involve allegations that Bayer failed to properly research their birth control pills or adequately warn about the increased risk of serious and potentially life-threatening injuries from the birth control pills containing drospirenone, such as a stroke, heart attack, pulmonary embolism, deep vein thrombosis and gallbladder disease.

Yaz Gallbladder Disease Highest Risk Among Birth Controls

In addition to the potential risk of serious and potentially life-threatening Yaz blood clots, many otherwise healthy young women who have used the birth control pill Yaz or Yasmin have experienced painful gallbladder problems that could ultimately require surgery for gallbladder removal. The FDA has warned the manufacturers of Yaz (sometimes spelled as Yas) and Yasmin (sometimes spelled as Yazmin) at least four times for improper marketing and manufacturing techniques, starting as far back as July 2003, and continuing through 2009.
Yasmin and Yaz are birth control pills manufactured by Bayer Healthcare. The generic form of these drugs, Ocella, is a brand marketed and distributed by Teva Pharmaceuticals. Yasmin was approved by the FDA in 2001, Yaz in 2006, and Ocella in 2008. The Yaz group of drugs contains a compound created by Bayer called drospirenone, which is a “fourth generation” progestin. Drospirenone is believed to elevate the levels of potassium in the blood stream. Elevated levels of potassium in the blood can lead to a condition known as hyperkalemia, which can cause heart rhythm disturbances. Before the introduction of Yasmin, no other birth control pill was marketed in the United States with drospirenone, which is unlike other progestins available. It is a diuretic, which creates unique risks with Yaz and Yasmin and could lead to serious gall bladder problems like gallbladder disease.
In 2009, Bayer was forced to run a $20 million corrective advertising campaign to address problems with Yaz advertisements that stressed the potential benefits in treating acne and symptoms of PMS, while minimizing the potential risk of blood clots. The ads were found to be in violation of a 2007 agreement Bayer made with the FDA after earlier deceptive advertising campaigns. For the next several years, Bayer is now required to submit any future Yaz advertisements in the United States to the FDA for approval before they are aired. Bayer currently faces about 7,500 Yaz lawsuits and Yasmin lawsuits, which allege that Bayer has failed to adequately warn about the increased risk of health problems associated with the birth control pills.

Yasmin Blood Clots – Same as Yaz

Yaz and Yasmin are both drospirenone-based oral contraceptives that are manufactured by Bayer Pharmaceuticals, a pharmaceuticals giant that is one of the largest in the nation. Many patients wonder what the difference is between the two medications, or whether the extremely publicized Yaz side effects associated with the birth control are also linked to Yasmin. Consumers want to be able to make an educated decision when it comes to their medical treatments and the drugs they take, and it is natural for patients to wonder whether they are safe.

Yaz Side Effects Are Even More Terrifying Due To Young Deaths

As of February 2011, Bayer faced nearly 7,000 Yaz lawsuits against their birth control pills and the number of new claims is continuing to grow. It is anticipated that to resolve the litigation, the pharmaceutical company will ultimately need to reach Yaz settlements and Yasmin settlements with up to 25,000 women. The injury lawsuits for Yaz and Yasmin involve claims that Bayer failed to adequately research their popular birth control pills and warn about the increased risk of serious and potentially life threatening side effects of Yasmin and Yaz. Settlement compensation is being pursued by women who have suffered injuries such as: heart attack or stroke, pulmonary embolism from, deep vein thrombosis and gallbladder problems. Bayer is currently indicating that they intend to fight the cases and do not have any plans to settle Yaz or Yasmin lawsuits.

Yaz Side Effects Now Include Pancreatitis, According to FDA

The Food and Drug Administration has issued an order to all manufacturers of certain birth control pills to include pancreatitis on warning labels of birth control pills that contain the hormones drospirenone and estrogen. Such oral contraceptives, including the controversial Yaz and Yasmin brands, have been linked to pancreatitis in the past, but it is now clear that there is a definitive link as the disease is now an “official” side effect. The Food and Drug Administration’s order could cause legal trouble for many drugmakers. Individuals are contacting Yaz lawyers to discuss how to pursue legal action.

Yaz Lawyers Inform Clients of Differences in Side Effects

Many patients who have experienced Yaz side effects, including deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism, are aware of the complications they have experienced but are unaware of either what exactly those side effects indicate and what the difference is between the two popular birth control medications.
Both once-daily birth control pills are based on the hormone drospirenone, but Yaz has a higher dose of estrogen than Yasmin does. In addition, the Food and Drug Administration has approved Yaz for purposes other than preventing pregnancy, including treatment of mild to moderate acne and premenstrual dysphoric disorder, a more severe form of PMS. Yasmin is approved only for preventing pregnancy. Both come with the same set of side effects, however.

Yasmin DVT Put on Trial

Although trials of Yaz and Yasmin lawsuits are not set to begin until early next year, the drospirenone-based birth control pills are still a hot topic in the medical community. Many experts are arguing that, since many products are available that do the same job at a fraction of the risk, there is no value in keeping the controversial products on the market. Many patients have filed lawsuits against drugmaker Bayer, complaining of side effects they have suffered after taking the once-daily pill. The first bellwether trial involves a pulmonary embolism case. Pulmonary embolism is one of the most severe side effects of Yaz and Yasmin and occurs when a blood clot makes its way into a patient’s lung.

Despite Safety Concerns, Generic Forms of Yaz Birth Control Go Forward

Although Bayer has continued to maintain that there is no increased risk of blood clots fromYasmin and Yaz side effects, the FDA and European drug regulators forced the drug maker to update the blood clot warnings on Yaz and Yasmin labels last year. The FDA finally announced this week that they are evaluating the risk of blood clots from Yaz, Yasmin and Beyaz birth control, which some studies have shown to be 2 to 3 times greater than the risk associated with other birth control pills. 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.

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.

Yasmin DVT Put on Trial

Although trials of Yasmin and Yaz lawsuits are not set to begin until early next year, the drospirenone-based birth control pills are still a hot topic in the medical community. Many experts are arguing that, since many products are available that do the same job at a fraction of the risk, there is no value in keeping the controversial products on the market. Many patients have filed lawsuits against drugmaker Bayer, complaining of side effects they have suffered after taking the once-daily pill. The first bellwether trial involves a pulmonary embolism case. Pulmonary embolism is one of the most severe side effects of Yaz and Yasmin and occurs when a blood clot makes its way into a patient’s lung.

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.

Yaz Link to Blood Clots is 2 to 3 Times As Common

The FDA finally announced this week that they are evaluating the risk of blood clots from Yaz, Yasmin and Beyaz birth control, which some studies have shown to be 2 to 3 times greater than the risk associated with other birth control pills. Notice of the safety review into a possible risk of Yaz blood clots with birth control pills containing drospirenone was released by the FDA on May 31, providing additional information for women taking the medications. Included in the warning are all drospirenone birth control pills, which may be sold as: Yasmin, Yaz and Beyaz. 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.

Yaz Litigation Heats Up in Pennsylvania, New Jersey

Litigation surrounding popular birth control pills containing the synthetic hormone drospirenone and sold under the brand names Yaz and Yasmin has been consolidated in some states, including Pennsylvania, Illinois, and now New Jersey. One of the Yaz lawsuits filed by plaintiff Jean Cummins regarding the death of her daughter Michelle Pfleger was introduced in the Philadelphia County Court of Common Pleas and was subsequently combined with other cases filed in the same state over drospirenone-based birth control pills.

Pfleger’s case was extraordinary but unfortunately not unheard-of. The 18-year-old college freshman was walking to class when she collapsed and died of a pulmonary thromboembolism that has been linked to Yaz, which she was taking to treat acne. The pulmonary thromboembolism was caused when a blood clot lodged in her lungs and created a blockage, leading to fatal cardiac arrest. Although death related to Yaz and similar products is not common, it is significant to note the very real risk of fatal complications with Yaz blood clots.

Although there is a chance of experiencing blood clots when taking any oral contraceptive or other form of hormonal birth control, a patient’s risk of developing a blood clot when taking Yaz is about six times more than if the patient is taking birth control with another hormone as the active ingredient. For this reason, many plaintiffs are saying that Yaz should be pulled from the market entirely – women have many other oral contraceptive options that simply do not come with the same kinds of risk associated with Yaz.

The seriousness of many Yaz side effects has led to a multitude of cases filed against Bayer Pharmaceuticals and other drospirenone birth control manufacturers. In some states, these cases have been consolidated in mass tort litigation. This will help to organize and expedite the legal process. Pennsylvania’s cases, including the wrongful death lawsuit related to Michelle Pfleger, are being handled by the Complex Litigation Center, part of the Court of Common Pleas. Judge Sandra M. Moss will oversee these lawsuits. A similar consolidation is taking place in New Jersey under Judge Brian R. Martinotti.

Blood Clots and Yaz Present High Correlation

Yaz brand birth control has many benefits to women, including prevention of pregnancy and reduction of acne. However, the benefits come with an extreme risk to women taking them – the serious side effects of Yaz potentially fatal blood clot and pulmonary embolism.

Over a thousand Yaz lawsuits have been filed by women who are taking the medication due to the fact that Bayer Corporation, the producers of the drug, have neglected to warn the public about the serious and life-threatening side effects of Yaz birth control, defending themselves with the claim that the benefits of the product far outweigh the risks involved in taking it.

Fourth Gen Birth Control More Dangerous Than Previous Three Combined.

There has been an ever-growing concern over the risk of blood clots related to Yaz and Yasmin birth control pills, due to their active ingredient drospirenone, known as the 4th generation progestin. The concern has grown to the point where the FDA has launched an investigation into claims that drospirenone can lead to an excessive risk of Yaz blood clots in women taking the pill. The drug drospirenone is a newer version of levonorgestrel, which was found in the typical birth control contraceptive until about eight years ago. The FDA found that the risk of blood clots and venous thromboembolism was excessively high when compared to older levonorgestrel-containing pills and recommended that the labels be updated. Both the FDA and its European counterparts note that the overall risk of a blood clot is still small.

Popular Birth Control Found to Have Dangerous Side Effects

Over the last three years, Yaz has turned into not just the most popular birth control method in the U.S. but the most profitable as well. Bayer has done a major marketing campaign in order to accomplish this, even making it a favorite of doctors around the country. But these rigorous marketing campaigns have been criticized because they are misleading and sometimes not even true. Every day more women are reporting Yaz side effects they have experienced as a result of their prescription of Yaz. Yaz uses drospireonone, a synthetically made from of progestin, as do several other contraceptive drugs. Drospireonone is effective in preventing pregnancy.

Bayer Facing Thousands of Individual Lawsuits over Contraceptive

Bayer currently faces about 7,000 Yaz lawsuits. Although the cases have been consolidated and centralized for pretrial proceedings as part of an MDL, or multidistrict litigation, each claim remains and individual lawsuit and each plaintiff must meet the burden of proof in establishing that their injuries were caused by the use of the birth control pill. If a Yaz settlement agreement is not reached in the litigation, each of the plaintiffs will have the opportunity to present their claim to a jury. Bayer agreed to stop that particular ad campaign and they agreed to conduct a new, $20 million "corrective" marketing campaign with new commercials and print advertisements that clarified that Yaz birth control pill does not treat mild acne or help keep your skin clear or cure the symptoms of PMS (premenstrual syndrome.