Wednesday, September 30, 2009

Yaz, Yasmin and Ocella and Pulmonary Embolisms

Yaz, Yasmin and Ocella have been linked to the risk of blood clots which can cause pulmonary embolism. The types of blood clots caused by Yaz, Yasmin and Ocella are more formally known as thrombosis. Thrombosis is the formation or presence of a blood clot (thrombus) in a blood vessel. If the thrombus breaks loose and travels through the bloodstream, it is a thromboembolism. The clot may plug a vessel in the lungs (pulmonary embolism), brain (stroke), gastrointestinal tract, kidneys, or leg.

The following symptoms may indicate that you may be suffering from pulmonary embolism caused by Yaz, Yasmin or Ocella:

Sudden shortness of breath
Chest pains that mimic heart attack
Cough that produces bloody or blood-streaked sputum
Rapid heartbeat (tachycardia)
Wheezing
Leg swelling
Clammy or bluish-colored skin
Excessive sweating
Anxiety
Weak pulse
Lightheadedness or fainting
Fever

If you suffer from these symptoms, you should report them to your doctor. Depending on how likely it is that you have a blood clot, the doctor may recommend a chest x-ray, lung scan CT Scan, and/or pulmonary angiogram to make a final diagnosis. Doctors may also conduct tests to determine if you have blood clots including a D-dimer blood test, ultrasound, MRI, and/or venography.

Treatment for Pulmonary Embolism
Prompt treatment of pulmonary embolism is essential to avoid serious complications or death. Pulmonary embolism is usually treated first with a fast-acting coagulant, usually heparin. If the pulmonary embolism is life-threatening doctors will often use clot-dissolving (thrombolytic) therapy and/or a vein filter.

Birth control pills are known risk factor for blood clotting disorders including Pulmonary Embolism (PE). However, the risk is increased with the use of Yaz, Yasmin and Ocella due to the progestin drosperinone (drsp). Drsp functions as a diuretic with thickens the blood possibly causing heart rhythm disturbances and blood clots.

If you want more information about the lawsuits involving pulmonary embolisms caused by Yaz, Yasmin and Ocella, contact the Allen Law Firm for a free case evaluation.

Tuesday, September 29, 2009

Yaz, Yasmin and Ocella Litigation - Consolidation not Class Action Lawsuit

Many people think that class action lawsuits are the same thing as cases consolidated in one state court or in a federal court MDL (multidistrict litigation). However, the personal injury claims made in products liability claims like those involving Yaz, Yasmin and Ocella, are too unique to be handled in a class action lawsuit. Instead each plaintiff 's case must proceed based on their individual injuries caused by the dangerous drug.

As we have discussed before, a motion has been filed to consolidate the federal court Yaz, Yasmin and Ocella cases in an MDL in the Northern District of Ohio. The Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation held a hearing on that motion last week. A decision on the consolidation is expected around the end of October.

In addition, numerous cases filed in Pennsylvania state court have been consolidated in the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas.

Consolidation of the cases will eliminate duplicate discovery in the numerous cases and avoid inconsistent rulings from judges in courts across the country. Usually when cases are consolidated, the first trials conducted, also known as "bellwether" trials will proceed in the court where pretrial litigation is proceeding. The remaining cases will be returned back to their original courts for individual trials or settlement.

If you have suffered a serious injury such as stroke, pulmonary embolism, deep vein thrombosis or gallbladder disease after taking these birth control pills, contact a lawyer to discuss your legal rights. An experienced dangerous drug lawyer can explain the differences in case consolidation versus class action lawsuit status and evaluate your case for you.

Monday, September 28, 2009

Swiss Agency Investigates Death of Woman Using Yaz Birth Control

September 25, 2009 - According to the Swissmedic agency, that agency along with an investigative judge are probing the death of a woman due to pulmonary embolism. The woman died suddenly within ten months of starting Yaz birth control pills. Bayer will conduct its own investigation according to a Bayer spokesman. Swissmedic is expected to release the results of its analysis in late-October of this year.

The investigation by Swissmedic is the latest in a series of health concerns raised over Yaz, Yasmin and the generic, Ocella. As previously reported in this blog, Bayer has come under fire from the FDA over its advertising practices and its manufacturing practices.

Thursday, September 24, 2009

Yaz, Yasmin and Ocella MDL Hearing Today

Today the Judicial Panel on Multi-District Litigation will hear arguments on a petition to consolidate the Yaz, Yasmin and Ocella product liability cases. The Petition seeks to have the litigation consolidated in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Ohio. The hearing will be held in Richmond, Virginia. A decision by the MDL Judicial Panel is expected two to four weeks after the hearing.

The Yaz, Yasmin and Ocella litigation at issue involves lawsuits filed in federal courts across the country by women who have been seriously injured by these birth control pills. The lawsuits allege that the progestin in Yaz, Yasmin and Ocella called drosperinone or drsp is unique to these products and carries a greater risk of venous thromboembolism (deep vein thrombosis, stroke, pulmonary embolism) than other oral contraceptives. Some of the lawsuits also involve women who suffered severe gallbladder disease requiring gallbladder removal.

The Allen Law Firm would be happy to answer any questions you may have about the Yaz, Yamin and Ocella lawsuits and provide a free case evaluation for anyone who has suffered stroke, pulmonary embolism, deep vein thrombosis, heart attack, gallbladder removal or pancreatitis after using these birth control pills. Visit our web site or call us toll free 888-345-LAW1 (5291).

Tuesday, September 22, 2009

Philadelphia the Center of Pennsylvania State Court Yaz Cases

Judge Sandra Mazer Moses of the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas consolidated all Yaz and Yasmin lawsuits filed in Pennsylvania last week. So far about 20 suits have been included in the consolidated litigation with many more expected in the coming weeks and months.

A hearing is scheduled for September 24, 2009 on consolidating the federal court Yaz and Yasmin cases. Plaintiffs have filed a motion requesting that the Yaz and Yasmin cases be transferred to an MDL in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Ohio.

The lawsuits allege that the popular birth control pills, Yaz, Yasmin and the generic, Ocella, contain the progestin drospirenone that has been connected to increased thromboembolic events (blood clots) and organ failure, especially affecting the gallbladder. The blood closts caused by Yaz and Yasmin can lead to Deep Vein Thrombosis, Stroke and Pulmonary Embolism. These blood clots are sometimes fatal. Women are also experiencing in an increased risk of gall stones so severe that they must have their gallbladders removed, leaving them with compromised digestive systems.

The Allen Law Firm is representing women who have suffered severe injury and death after taking Yaz, Yasmin or Ocella. If you or a loved one has been injured or died following the use of these birth control pills, contact a lawyer today to discuss your legal options.

Thursday, September 17, 2009

Letter to the Editor: Yasmin May Not Be As Safe As Previously Thought

A letter to the editor in the September 2009 issue of the Southern Medical Journal associates Yasmin, and more specifically drospirenone, with Deep Vein Thrombosis. Dr. Thein Oo, M.D. of St. Elizabeth's Medical Center and Tufts University School of Medicine describes a case of a 28-year old woman with no family history of thrombophilia who suffered deep vein thrombosis. The woman had been taking Yasmin for about two years. Dr. Oo warns that the association of Yasmin with a lower risk of VTE has not been proven by research. He concludes that Yasmin may not be as safe as previously thought, due to the progestin drospirenone.

Dr. Oo's letter is just the latest in a serious of letters and articles written concerning the relative risk of thromboembolism in birth control pills containing drospirenone as compared to pills that contain other progestins.

If you have taken Yaz, Yasmin, or Ocella and would like more information regarding your legal rights, contact the lawyers at the Allen Law Firm today.

Maker of Yaz Warned by FDA about Quality Control Issues at German Plant

The FDA posted a warning letter online this week stating that its inspectors uncovered testing problems at Bayer's plant in Berghamen, Germany. The Berghamen factory makes the key ingredient in Yaz and Yasmin, drospirenone. Yaz and Yasmin were Bayer's top-selling pharmaceuticals last year with global sales of $1.8 billion.

According to the warning letter, Bayer was measuring the quality of its drug ingredients using the wrong method. The FDA requires that individual test results of the quality of ingredients be reported. Bayer had been reporting quality based on an average of several samples instead. The FDA expressly stated that this method of reporting is not permissible.

Eight drug batches from the plant were shipped to the U.S including drospirenone, the progestin used in the birth control pills Yaz and Yasmin.

Bayer denies that there are any safety or efficacy issues with these drug shipments. However, the FDA has asked Bayer to provide a list of all shipments from the Berghamen plant to the U.S. and a plan to prevent the problem from happening again. The FDA said it will consider delaying imports from the plant until Bayer adequately addresses the warning letter.

Bayer has been warned by the FDA about other issues with its popular birth control pills, Yaz and Yasmin. In 2008, Bayer was warned about its Yaz direct-to-consumer advertising. Following that warning, Bayer agreed to a $20 million ad campaign to correct the misinformation contained in its previous marketing.