Yaz Stroke | Yaz Blood Clots

Yaz and Yasmin are fourth-generation birth control pills marketed and distributed by Bayer. Unlike the oral contraceptives preceding these two drugs on the market, Yaz and Yasmin contain the progestin drospirenone. Yasmin was first introduced in the U.S. market in 2001, and Yaz was introduced in 2006. Since that time, more than 11,900 lawsuits representing 14,000 women have been brought against Bayer concerning these birth control pills, specifically citing side effects including Yaz blood clots and stroke.

Yaz blood clots

Blood clots may form in the legs, arms, lungs, eyes, or brain. In some cases, the body can take care of the clotting on its own; however, in the most serious cases, including many of those attributed to the use of Yaz, the clotting is so severe that it may cause significant pain or potentially lead to pulmonary embolism, deep vein thrombosis, heart attack, or stroke.

In April 2012, the FDA issued new warnings about Yasmin and Yaz blood clots. After a December 2011 meeting discussing the risks associated with Yaz, a panel of 26 experts voted 15 to 11 to keep Yaz and Yasmin on the market, stating that the benefits outweighed the complications, but voted 21 to 5 to add stronger warnings to the label to highlight the possibility of blood clots.

Some of the data that the FDA considered noted that 10 out of every 10,000 women taking a contraceptive that contained drospirenone would experience blood clotting, as opposed to 6 out of every 10,000 women taking other contraceptives.

Blood Clots can lead to Yaz stroke

A stroke is the result of certain areas of the brain not receiving enough blood oxygen because of blockage by clotting. A Yaz stroke may cause irreparable damage, including a loss of movement or paralysis, loss of sensation, and loss of bladder and bowel functions, and may leave the affected person unable to see and hear properly, and unable to communicate with others.

One of the most high-profile Yaz stroke cases involves Brenda Hamilton, and understudy on the Broadway show Wicked, whose acting career was cut short after she suffered from a stroke after taking the oral contraceptive for two years.

Yaz lawyer notes the separate conditions

Blood clotting is a serious and severe issue and may affect a person regardless of whether they suffer from a stroke. It is possible to fully recover from a stroke, but to have clotting issues that remain throughout a person’s life.

To date, in an ongoing Yaz and Yasmin multidistrict litigation in Illinois, Bayer has paid out more than $142 million in settlements to more than 700 parties. Payouts have been averaging $218,000 per plaintiff.