You or a loved one may be entitled to financial compensation if injury or death occurred while taking these medicines.

YAZ® and Yasmin® are oral contraceptives sold by Bayer to prevent unwanted pregnancy and later expanded to include treatment of the emotional and physical symptoms of premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD), as well as moderate acne in women who already desire birth control. YAZ® has additional risks because it contains the progestin, drospirenone. Drospirenone has antimineralocorticoid properties and can increase blood potassium levels, known as hyperkalemia. Individuals who have pre-existing kidney, liver and adrenal disease could be particularly susceptible.

The FDA sent a Warning Letter to Bayer HealthCare Pharmaceuticals, Inc. regarding what it termed as "misleading" advertising spots that it found "particularly troubling" becaused the served to "undermine the communication of important risk information, minimizing these risks and misleadingly suggesting that Yaz is safer than has been demonstrated by substantial evidence or substantial clinical experience."

In the 8-page FDA Warning Letter regarding YAZ® dated October 3, 2008 two TV ads were cited as overstating the efficacy of the drug and minimizing the risks and side effects associated with using YAZ®. YAZ® related lawsuits allege that the warnings were inadequate in fully describing the potential side effects including heart attacks, strokes, gallbladder disease, deep vein thrombosis, pulmonary embolism, cardiac arrhythmias and sudden death. The FDA sent three letters to the makers of Yasmin® and YAZ® regarding the potential for hyperkalemia in highrisk patients and their failure to clarify that risk.

If you believe that you or a loved one has suffered hospitalization or death as a result of using YAZ® or Yasmin®, fill out our online form below or

call Ciano & Goldwasser at (216) 658-9900.