Yasmin is a different type of birth control originally developed by Berlex Laboratories (a U.S. affiliate of Schering AG, Germany) that was first approved for use in 2001. In 2006, the drug company, Bayer, acquired Berlex and marketed a more recent version of Yasmin, called YAZ. Ocella is a generic version.
Yaz, Yasmin and their generic, Ocella, are the first type of birth control to contain a different kind of hormone, called drsp or drospirenone (pronounced dros-peer-eh-known).
The manufacturers of YAZ, Yasmin and Ocella have touted their latest creation as a “pill that goes beyond the rest,” and promises multiple additional benefits above and beyond unwanted pregnancies. They also claim that this latest drug creation is as safe as other types of accepted birth control pills that are on the market. In light of these promises made in slick advertising campaigns, the new product has made Bayer/Berlex millions of dollars. For example, in 2008, sales of YAZ reached $616 million (an approx. 18% U.S. market share), and Yasmin sales reached $382 million (an approx. 11% U.S. market share), which can be seen in this NY Times article on Yaz birth control sales.
It is now the best-selling oral contraception pill in the United States.
However, in putting the interest of corporate profits over public safety, Bayer/Berlex’ advertisements have focused almost exclusively on the positive affects of its newest drug creation. It has continually omitted or minimized the very significant risks associated with or increased by the novel drug, including heart attacks, cardiac arrhythmias, blood clots, deep vein thrombosis (DVT), pulmonary embolism (PE), strokes, gallbladder disease, hepatic adenomas or benign liver tumors, and other serious injuries and sudden death. Theses life-threatening risks include, but are not limited to, those risks that Bayer knew or should have known are associated with or increased by the unprecedented use of this new hormone, drsp. Bayer has also improperly encouraged the use of Yasmin/YAZ/Ocella in circumstances other than those in which the drug has been approved and over-stated its benefits.
In fact, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has repeatedly reprimanded Bayer/Berlex for marketing the drug in a way that minimizes these very serious side effects, thereby misleading millions of women and their prescribing physicians about the safety of this new type of birth control.
If you or someone you love has suffered a serious injury or worse while on Yasmin, YAZ or Ocella, please call us immediately for a consultation. There is charge to discuss this matter and the call is toll free: 1-888-841-9623.
To learn more about Yaz, Yasmin and Ocella, click on the following links.
Yaz, Yasmin and Ocella Background & FDA Documents
What You Need to Know About Yaz, Yasmin and Ocella birth controls
ZKB Law Client Angela Beck Tells Her Story
How Yasmin, Yaz and Ocella Work
YAZ, Yasmin and Ocella False Advertising