What is YAZ?

YAZ, Yasmin, and Ocella are oral contraceptives. Like many oral contraceptives they contain both estrogen and progestagen. Unlike other types of birth control, however, the progestagen in these oral contraceptives is Drospirenone.

Drospirenone is a new type of progestagen. Unfortunately, there are dangerous side effects to taking Drospirenone.

Dangerous Side Effects

The side effects of using Drospirenone include increased potassium levels which can cause hyperkalemia. Milder cases of hyperkalemia can cause malaise, palpitations and muscle weakness. Severe cases of hyperkalemia can lead to cardiac arrhythmia, which in turn can cause blood clots, strokes, lung and heat embolisms, heat attacks, and even sudden death.

YAZ Marketing & FDA Warnings

In 2008 YAZ was marketed as a better type of birth control that can help manage acne and PMS. Because of this marketing campaign, the FDA wrote a warning letter to Bayer, the maker of YAZ. The FDA thought that the TV Ads for YAZ exaggerated the approved uses of YAZ and that the advertisements failed to clearly identify the risks associated with using YAZ.

The FDA's letter states that the TV Ads for YAZ suggested that it could be used to help with PMS, when YAZ is not approved for treatment of PMS, but instead is approved for the treatment of Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD). PMDD is a more serious and less common condition than PMS. The FDA's letter also states that the TV Ads suggested that YAZ could be used to treat all severities of acne, when, in fact, YAZ has only been approved for the treatment of moderate acne.

Finally, the FDA's letter stated that the TV Ads did not properly convey the risks associated with YAZ. The letter found this practice "particularly troubling as some of the risks begin conveyed are serious, even life-threatening."