Yasmin, YAZ, amd Ocella side effects are, in rare cases, extremely serious and can be life-threatening. From January 2004 through September 2008, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) received more than 50 reports of wrongful deaths occurring as the result of Yasmin, YAZ, and Ocella usage.
One of the active ingredients in Yasmin, YAZ, and Ocella is drospirenone (DRSP). This compound is FDA approved for the treatment of moderate acne and premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD), but it is also the source of the life-threatening side effects of Yasmin, YAZ, and Ocella. Yasmin, YAZ, and Ocella typically cause only mild side effects that may include breast tenderness, and headaches.
However, in rare cases, women taking Yasmin, YAZ, and Ocella may develop much more severe side effects.
Possible side-effects include:
Yasmin/YAZ/Ocella and Gallbladder Disease
Yasmin, YAZ, and Ocella can cause gallbladder disease due to the hormones within Yasmin,, YAZ, and Ocella impeding the movement of the gallbladder, which, in turn, can cause gallstones. When gallstones become lodged in the bile ducts, a woman will develop gallbladder disease and likely need surgery to recover. In the worst cases, a woman’s gallbladder may need to be removed before it can cause more serious damage to other internal organs.
Yasmin/YAZ/Ocella and Blood Clots
Blood clots are thickened, semi-solid clumps of blood cells that have the ability to impede circulation in a particular area of the body. They can result in a range of other symptoms (depending on the area of the body affected). For example, while blood clots in the legs may result in pain, swelling, or redness, blood clots that make their way to heart, brain, or lungs can result in heart attack, stroke, or pulmonary embolism – all of which are potentially fatal side effects related to Yasmin, YAZ, and Ocella.
Yasmin/YAZ/Ocella and Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT)
When a blood clot caused by Yasmin, YAZ, or Ocella makes its way to the body’s “deep veins,” which are primarily within the legs, a woman will develop deep vein thrombosis (DVT), which is associated with symptoms such as:
- inflammation of the affected foot, ankle, or leg
- pain in the affected area that often starts out as a cramping sensation
- warmth and/or redness over the affected area.
Because a DVT can result in blood clots making their way from the deep veins to the body’s vital organs, DVT’s are a serious condition for which immediate, ongoing treatment is necessary to prevent potentially fatal complications.
Yasmin/YAZ/Ocella and Pulmonary Embolism (PE)
When a blood clot caused by Yasmin, YAZ, or Ocella makes its way to the lungs, a pulmonary embolism occurs causing a woman to cough, experience chest pain and have difficulty breathing. Women taking Yasmin, YAZ, and Ocella who develop a pulmonary embolism may also experience leg inflammation, excessive sweating, bluish-colored skin, and wheezing.
Yasmin/YAZ/Ocella and Strokes
When a blood clot caused by Yasmin, YAZ, or Ocella makes its way to the brain, a woman will suffer from a stroke. During a stroke, the blood clot cuts off the supply of oxygen to the brain, which kills brain tissue and results in brain damage. The faster a stroke resulting from Yasmin, YAZ, or Ocella use is treated, the better the chances are for survival.
If you or a loved one sustained any type of serious side effect from Yasmin, YAZ, or Ocella, the esteemed YAZ attorneys at Chaffin Luhana LLP welcome you to learn more about your legal rights. You can receive an expert evaluation of your case by attending a free, no obligations, initial consultation.
Both Eric Chaffin and Roopal Luhana, the founding members of the firm, have experience representing Yasmin, YAZ, and Ocella patients nationwide in both individual and mass tort cases. Additionally, Ms. Luhana is one of only two women to be appointed (by Judge Herndon of the Southern District of Illinois) to the Plaintiff Steering Committee in the In re Yasmin and Yaz (Drospirenone) Marketing, Sales Practices and Products Liability Litigation. Our superior experience, litigating skills, and high ethical standards provide stability to help guide our clients through the legal process as efficiently and successfully as possible.
