What is Yasmin (Ocella)?
Yasmin was approved by the FDA in April 2001 and was the first birth control pill in the United States to contain progestin drospirenone. It is an older version of Yaz, another birth control pill that was first approved in April 2006. Yasmin was originally developed by a company called Berlex, which has since been bought by Bayer Healthcare. When Yasmin was first released, it was marketed as being an innovative form of birth control that was not only superior to its older counterparts but was safer for women too. However, the many risks associated with taking Yasmin are severe and can eventuate in death.
When Bayer Healthcare acquired Yasmin they launched Yaz, a newer version with different components, and which is taken in a slightly different way to Yaz. Yasmin’s generic name is ‘Ocella’ which is marketed by Teva Pharmaceuticals. Ocella is cheaper than Yasmin and merely the generic Yaz or Yasmin, although women have reported significant side effects after switching from Yasmin or Yaz to its cheaper alternative, Ocella.
Yasmin tablets come in blister packs with a transparent film. Each pack contains three sets of twenty-eight pills. Pills are taken for 21 consecutive days, followed by seven days of inactive placebo or sugar pills. Active tablets contain 30mcg of ethinyl estradiol and 3mg of drospirenone. Drospirenone has an effect on the body’s normal regulation of salt and water balance. This means that potassium levels in the body can rise, known as hyperkalemia, which causes serious health issues such as heart problems.
Yasmin is supplied with an information leaflet that contains a very long list of diseases, afflictions and disorders. This information states that anyone suffering from these conditions should not take Yasmin. It then lists numerous other physical conditions, and advises women to inform their medical practitioner before starting a course of Yasmin. These are as wide ranging as ‘if you smoke’ or ‘you are overweight’ to ‘you have had chloasma’. Women who are using Yasmin but who think they have become pregnant should consult a doctor immediately. Taking Yasmin while pregnant can cause birth defects, and if the hormones in Yasmin are allowed to pass through into breast milk they may harm the nursing baby.
Back in April 2002, consumer group Public Citizen issued a ‘Do Not Use’ notice in relation to Yasmin. They stated that the risk of the potential side effects of drospirenone on the body; there was no evidence that Yasmin was in fact any better than older birth control pill products available on the market; and because any benefits to using Yasmin far outweighed the associated risks. If you or a loved one has suffered serious side effects after taking Yasmin, find out what your options are by consulting a specialist attorney today.
