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Yaz, Yasmine and Ocella Drug Lawyers in St. Louis

Knowledgeable Missouri Birth Control Pill Injury Attorneys

Have you suffered as a result of taking Yaz®, Yasmin® or Ocella®? If so, you need an attorney who can help you bring a drug side effects lawsuit against the manufacturers of these dangerous drugs and secure compensation for your injuries.

At The Roberts Law Firm, P.C., we have substantial experience representing clients who have been harmed by Yaz®, Yasmin® or Ocella®. We can help you. online contact form to speak with an experienced pharmaceutical litigation lawyer.

Yaz®, Yasmin® and Ocella® Drug Overview

Yaz®, Yasmin® and Ocella® are similar birth control pills. Yaz® and Yasmin® were originally manufactured and distributed by Berlex Laboratories, Inc. Berlex Laboratories was later purchased by Bayer Healthcare Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Ocella®, the generic form of Yaz® and Yasmin®, is manufactured by Barr Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Yasmin® was approved by the FDA as an oral contraceptive in 2001. Yaz® received FDA approval as an oral contraceptive in 2006 and approval for the treatment of premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) in October 2006. In January 2007, Yaz® was approved to treat moderate acne in women who desire an oral contraceptive for birth control. Ocella® was released on the market as an oral contraceptive in 2008.
Yaz®, Yasmin® and Ocella® contain ethinyl estradiol (an estrogen) and a new, “fourth generation” synthetic progestin called drospirenone (DRSP). Estrogen is a hormone which increases the coagulation of blood, creating the risk of blood clots. Progestin increases this clotting effect even more. While all oral contraceptives present some health risks, the end result of the use of progestin could present increased risk to users. Side effects should be immediately evaluated by a physician because complications can cause serious, even life threatening, injuries. Neither the Food and Drug Administration or manufacturer has issued a recall of these oral contraceptives.

Yaz® Misleading Marketing

Yaz® is different from Yasmin® or Ocella® in that, in addition to being approved as an oral contraception, it is also approved for use in treatment of premenstrual dysphoric disorder (“PMDD”) and the treatment of moderate acne in women desiring an oral contraceptive. Despite differences of the compounds in the formulas of Yaz® and Yasmin® they were marketed in a similar manner by Bayer Healthcare Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (“Bayer”) until October, 2008.

Bayer initiated a multimillion dollar ad campaign promoting Yaz® as “a pill that went beyond birth control.” The Food and Drug Administration (“FDA”) determined that the ads were deceptive and as a result, in October, 2008 the FDA sent a Warning Letter to Bayer indicating that the current television advertising was misleading in that they overstated the approved uses and efficacy of Yaz® and minimized the serious risks associated with the use of the oral contraception. The FDA specifically stated that:

  • Yaz® was not appropriate for treatment of a more common and less serious set of symptoms known as premenstrual syndrome (“PMS”), rather than for the treatment of PMDD. Printed labeling for Yaz® stated that it had not been evaluated for the treatment of PMS however, the television ads failed to relay this limitation;
  • Yaz® was approved for the treatment of acne of all severities rather than indicating that it had only been approved for treatment of moderate acne;
  • The commercials contained distracting visuals, graphics and music, making it difficult for consumers to fully understand the serious, even life-threatening, side effects which are required to be disclosed in commercial advertisements resulting in minimizing the risks associated with Yaz®.

In the Warning Letter the FDA instructed Bayer to “immediately cease dissemination of violative promotional materials for Yaz®” and ordered them to initiate a “truthful, non-misleading, and complete corrective message”.

In response to the Warning Letter, the attorney generals of 27 states required Bayer to undertake a $20 million dollar corrective advertising campaign which started in January, 2009 and concluded in July, 2009. These ads specifically stated that consumers “might have seen some Yaz® ads recently that were not clear” and that the FDA “wants us (Bayer) to correct a few points in those ads”.

The deceptive ads might have induced physicians to prescribe Yaz® to young women suffering from PMS and severe acne who have suffered the serious side effects of the oral contraceptive.

Contact Our Firm for Help

If you or a loved one has been injured by Yaz®, The Roberts Law Firm, P.C., would like to assist you in pursuing compensation. We are currently evaluating claims on behalf of those who were prescribed Yaz®, Yasmin® or Ocella® and who may have suffered injury or death as a result. We are representing injured parties on a contingent fee basis which means that there are no legal fees owed unless you are awarded compensation for your injury.

For a free, no obligation case review please call 866-585-4570 toll free or fill out our online contact form and we will contact you to answer any of your questions. If you or a loved one has been injured or a loved one has died after using Yaz®, Yasmin® or Ocella®, The Roberts Law Firm, P.C., may be able to help.

Side Effects of Yaz®, Yasmin® and Ocella®

Possible side effects of Yaz®, Yasmin® and Ocella®, which have affected women 16 years of age and younger, can include the following:

Blood Clots are a serious possible side effect of Yaz®, Yasmin® and Ocella®. Women, with no family history of blood clots have suffered from life threatening injuries which may be linked to the use of these drugs. While oral contraceptives generally present some risk of blood clots, the “fourth generation” progestin called drospirenone (DRSP) contained in Yaz®, Yasmin® and Ocella® increases this risk. The blood clots can occur in several forms, including deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism.

  • Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT)

Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) most commonly affects the leg veins or deep veins of the pelvis. While DVT can occur without symptoms, in many cases the affected extremity will be painful, swollen, red and warm. These symptoms can be mistaken for a sore leg or pulled muscle. The most serious complication of DVT is that the blood clot could dislodge and travel to the lungs, resulting in a pulmonary embolism. DVT is considered a medical emergency.

  • Pulmonary Embolism (PE)

Pulmonary Embolism (PE) is a blockage of the main artery of the lung or a branch of the main artery by a substance that has traveled from elsewhere in the body, most often from a DVT as mentioned above. The obstruction of blood flow through the lungs and resultant pressure on the right ventricle of the heart leads to the symptoms and signs of PE which include difficulty breathing, chest pain and palpitations of the heart. Severe cases of PE can lead to collapse, abnormally low blood pressure and sudden death.

Cerebrovascular Accidents, which are more commonly referred to as strokes, are essentially the interruption of the blood supply to any part of the brain. The two main types of strokes are ischemic stroke, caused by blockage, and hemorrhagic stroke, caused by bleeding. The increased chance of developing blood clots while taking Yaz®, Yasmin® and Ocella® can lead to an increased chance of stroke. The symptoms of stroke depend on what part of the brain is damaged. In some cases, a person may not even be aware that she has had a stroke. Symptoms usually develop suddenly and without warning. They may be episodic (occurring and then stopping) or they may slowly get worse over time. Strokes are considered a medical emergency. Both types of strokes can result in permanent loss of movement, difficulty in communicating, permanent loss of brain function and even death.

Myocardial Infarction (MI) is commonly known as a heart attack. MI is an interruption of the blood supply to the heart resulting in the death of heart cells. The resulting restriction in blood supply and oxygen shortage can result in damage or death of heart tissue. Symptoms can include sudden chest pain, shortness of breath, nausea, vomiting, palpitations, sweating, weakness, a feeling of indigestion and fatigue. However, one quarter of all MI occur without chest pain or other symptoms.

The gallbladder is a small organ shaped like a pear that helps in digestion and serves as a storage of bile. When fatty foods move into the digestive tract, the gallbladder releases bile which helps in the emulsification, or blending, of fat and acids in the digested food. A gallbladder disease is a condition in which the normal function of the organ is obstructed due to an inflammation or infection of the organ. Yaz®, Yasmin® and Ocella® may cause the development of gallstones, inflammation of the gallbladder and other complications. Symptoms of gallbladder injury or disease can include nausea, a feeling of uneasiness in the stomach, vomiting, belching, chills, fever and abdominal pain. Severe injury or disease can necessitate the removal of the gallbladder (Cholecystectomy).

  • Kidney Failure or Renal Failure

Renal failure or kidney failure is a situation in which the kidneys fail to function adequately. It is divided into acute and chronic forms. The kidneys play key roles in body function, not only by filtering the blood and getting rid of waste products, but also by balancing levels of electrolytes in the body, controlling blood pressure, and stimulating the production of red blood cells. If the kidney function fails, the waste products accumulate in the blood and the body. Symptoms of kidney disease can vary from person to person. Some people with kidney disease may not even feel sick, or they may not notice their symptoms.

  • Pancreatitis

Pancreatitis is inflammation or infection of the pancreas. The pancreas, a gland located behind the stomach, releases the hormones insulin and glucagon and substances that help with digestion. These hormones aid the body in regulating the glucose it takes from food for energy. Pancreatitis can be acute or chronic and either form is serious and can lead to complications including bleeding, infection and permanent tissue damage. The estrogen contained in hormone based oral contraceptives such as Yaz®, Yasmin® and Ocella® have been associated with increased levels of triglyceride in the blood leading to the development of pancreatitis.

The serious side effects listed may, in some cases, result in death.

Yaz®, Yasmin® and Ocella® Litigation

As a result of injuries allegedly caused by Yaz®, Yasmin® and Ocella®, law suits have been filed in federal courts around the country against Bayer Corporation, Bayer Healthcare Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and Bayer Healthcare, LLC, the manufacturer of Yaz® and Yasmin® as well as against Barr Pharmaceuticals, Inc., the manufacturer of Ocella®. The complaints generally allege that these large drug manufacturers:

  • Failed to adequately research their products;
  • Fraudulently concealed the risk of injury;
  • Negligently failed to warn about the degree of risk women faced; and
  • Misrepresented the safety of the drugs in comparison to other available birth control pills.

As complaints were found to contain common questions of fact, on October 1, 2009, many cases currently on file against Bayer Corporation, Bayer Healthcare Pharmaceuticals, Inc., and Bayer Healthcare, LLC, were transferred and centralized, pursuant to the MultiDistrict Litigation Panel, in the Federal District Court for the Southern District of Illinois (located in East St. Louis, Illinois) as multi-district litigation. The purpose of centralization is to coordinate and consolidate pretrial proceedings, preventing duplication of discovery proceedings, inconsistent pretrial rulings and conserving the resources of counsel and the court. While the consolidated cases continue to be individual claims, all future cases for injuries associated with the use of Yaz® and Yasmin® will be termed to be “tag along” cases and will be litigated along with the cases transferred pursuant to the Court’s order of October 1, 2009. It is anticipated that Ocella® and Barr Pharmaceuticals, Inc. will become a part of this multi-district litigation at some point in the future.

The attorneys at The Roberts Law Firm, P.C., have many years of experience in dealing with large pharmaceutical companies and product liability claims, and sometimes MultiDistrict Litigation are created. Attorneys with The Roberts Law Firm, P.C., are licensed in Missouri and have experience in practicing in the Federal District Court for the Southern District of Illinois.

How The Roberts Law Firm Can Help You

We believe that if you or someone you love has suffered from a side effect or been injured by Yaz®, Yasmin® and Ocella® you should be fairly compensated for your damages. Women and the families of women 16 and younger have had life-changing experiences as a result of the harm done by these oral contraceptives. Damages can include:

  • Pain and suffering
  • Permanent injuries
  • Medical bills
  • Loss in the quality of life
  • Potential risk of future medical complications
  • Increased health insurance costs
  • Lost wages

Due to both the alleged acts and failure to act on the part of the large drug companies that manufacture Yaz®, Yasmin® and Ocella®, many women who have suffered side effects of these oral contraceptives were unaware that there were increased risks, above those associated with older generation birth control pills. The Roberts Law Firm, P.C., would like to assist you in pursuing compensation for your injury or the injury of a loved one.

We are currently evaluating claims on behalf of those who were prescribed Yaz®, Yasmin® or Ocella® and who may have suffered injury or death as a result. We are representing injured parties on a contingent fee basis, which means that there are no legal fees owed unless you are awarded compensation for your injury.

For a free, no obligation case review please call 866-585-4570 toll free or online contact form. A St. Louis birth control pill injury attorney will answer any of your questions. If you or a loved one has been injured or a loved one has died after using Yaz®, Yasmin® or Ocella® The Roberts Law Firm, P.C., may be able to help.

The Roberts Law Firm, P.C., does not intend, by this website or otherwise, to provide medical advice to or dissuade anyone from taking medication without a doctor’s approval. Please consult your doctor on matters relating to your health. It could be dangerous to stop taking medicines, especially abruptly. Patients should talk to their physicians to decide whether the benefits and risks of taking Yaz®, Yasmin® or Ocella® make it the right choice for them.

Please note that no lawsuit will be filed by The Roberts Law Firm, P.C., against your physician or health care provider for claims related to Yaz®, Yasmin® or Ocella®.

Trademark Notice: “Yaz”, “Yasmin” and “Ocella” are registered trademarks.
The Roberts Law Firm, P.C., is in no way affiliated with the Bayer Group or Barr Pharmaceutical, Inc.
The use of this mark is solely for informational and product identification purposes.

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