Yaz Attorneys

About Yaz and Yasmin

Yaz and Yasmin (generic: Ocella) are two popular birth control pills manufactured by Bayer Pharmaceuticals, which combine the active pharmaceutical ingredient drospirenone with ethinyl estradiol to prevent pregnancy. Both are prescription birth control medications that are combination hormone birth control pills containing estrogen and the potentially dangerous progestin (drospirenone) hormones. These hormones prevent the ovaries from producing an egg. The lining of the uterus also becomes thinner preventing a fertilized egg from being implanted. In addition, the cervical mucus becomes thicker which helps prevent sperm from entering the uterus.

Yasmin birth control pills were first put on the market in the United States in 2001 while Yaz was introduced in 2006. It has consistently been under heavy scrutiny for possible links to serious drug side effects such as heart attack, stroke and thrombosis. However, the awareness among consumers about these serious Yaz side effects has been extremely low and Yasmin birth control pills have since surged in popularity. The revenue generated by sales of Yasmin reached nearly $500 million last year.

Differences between Yaz and Yasmin

Contrary to popular belief, Yaz and Yasmin are not one and the same. Although both contain estrogen and the "fourth generation" progestin, drospirenone, there are a few subtle differences between the two birth control medications:

• Yasmin contains 30 mcg of the estrogen component ethinyl estrdiol whereas Yaz had 20 mcg. That means Yaz has a slightly lower dose of estrogen per pill.
• Yaz pills are taken for three days longer than Yasmin, which has a normal 21-day active pill cycle. That essentially means that with Yaz, the hormones are in your system for a longer period of time.
• One of the main differences between Yaz and Yasmin are their indications. While Yasmin is indicated solely as a contraceptive, Yaz is also indicated in the use of moderate acne and a premenstrual syndrome known as premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD).
• In both Yaz and Yasmin, the progestin remains active in your body even through the inactive pill period.

So far there have been no Yaz or Yasmin recalls by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). However in September of 2009, the FDA released a warning letter to Bayer over Yaz and Yasmin side effects. The letter indicates that Bayer concealed out-of-specification test results for key ingredients in the birth control pills and that several batches of the drugs should have never been released to the public. The federal agency has asked Bayer for detailed lists of the batches of Yaz and Yasmin birth control pills shipped to U.S. consumers.

Yaz and Yasmin have been associated with a variety of dangerous side effects including heart attack, stroke, myocardial infarction, thromboembolism, hepatic neoplasia, gallbladder disease, high blood pressure, depression, edema and weight gain. The progestin hormone can work against a body's normal mechanism for regulating salt and water balance. This can cause potentially serious heart problems and other health issues in high-risk patients.

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