Deep Vein Thrombosis Claims in Yaz Lawsuit

The number of plaintiffs who have filed lawsuits in the ongoing Yaz multidistrict litigation case is nearing 12,000 plaintiffs as another lawsuit has been filed against drug maker Bayer. Connie Highfill of Jackson County, Missouri, filed her Yaz lawsuit on the 14th of June, 2012, in a 30-page complaint that outlined claims against the pharmaceutical giant Bayer. The lawsuit was filed along with other cases involved in the multidistrict litigation case in the United States’ District Court for the Southern District of Illinois.

Yaz lawsuit claims side effects

Highfil claims that she began using the oral contraceptive or its equivalents, sold as Yasmin and Ocella, in October of 2003. She claims that she suffered a deep vein thrombosis in June of 2007. Deep vein thrombosis is a known side effect of the medication, and the plaintiff claims that it caused her to suffer from significant permanent injury. Deep vein thrombosis occurs when Yaz blood clots form in the arteries of a patient, namely in their extremities. This can cause pain, tenderness, and swelling and if the blood clot breaks loose and travels to the lungs or brain, stroke or pulmonary embolism can result. These side effects can be fatal if they are not addressed immediately.

Yaz is a fourth generation oral contraceptive that uses the synthetic hormone drospirenone to prevent pregnancy. The first drospirenone-based oral contraceptive, Yasmin, was approved by the Food and Drug Administration in 2001. Ocella is the generic version of Yasmin. It is not clear exactly how these medications cause the serious side effects that they do, but medical experts think that drospirenone can lead to significant adverse side effects because it can elevate the blood’s potassium levels, which can lead to blood clotting.

Lawsuits filed across the country

Tens of thousands of patients have filed suit against drug maker Pfizer after experiencing serious side effects after using Yaz or Yasmin. They are hoping for settlements that would help cover injury-related costs.

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