Birth Control Lawsuits Total More Than 1,100

More than 1,100 lawsuits have been filed against Bayer over the alleged dangerous side effects of the popular birth control pill Yasmin, also marketed as Yaz or Ocella, according to Bayer's 2009 annual report. The major pharmaceutical company lists five current class action lawsuits, three of which are in the United States and two are in Canada.

The prescribed medication has been linked to potentially serious, life-threatening side effects including pulmonary embolisms, deep vein thrombosis, gallbladder disease, heart attacks, strokes and even sudden death. Many have accused Bayer of marketing the drug knowing full well of the drug's dangerous capabilities. Although these side effects have been reported in middle age women, they are very rare for young women, especially those without pre-existing conditions.

This comes after the U.S. Food and Drug Administration admonished Bayer for misleading advertising campaigns. Bayer spent $20 million in a corrective advertising campaign updating the commercials to include warnings about the potentially dangerous side effects. Some law firms have predicted close to 25,000 lawsuits may be filed due to Bayer's false advertisements.

Unlike other birth control pills, Yasmin is made from a new synthetic progesterone hormone called dropspirenone, which raises potassium levels in the body. Elevated levels of potassium have been linked to blood clots and gallstones, which in turn may result in gallbladder disease. Complications seem more prevalent in women who have pre-existing conditions such as high blood pressure, diabetes or obesity.

Furthermore, the side effects from dropspirenone are more serious compared to other birth control pills that do not contain the progesterone hormone. The risks from this ingredient have not been reported in other forms of oral contraceptives. At least 50 deaths have been linked to the medication.

Bayer marketed Yasmin as the only pill capable of controlling anger, irritability, bloating, depression, muscle aches and headaches associated with premenstrual dysphoric disorder. The lawsuits allege that Bayer was aware of the serious side effects, but hid them from the FDA during the approval process, thus hiding them from the unsuspecting public.

In 2009, Yaz and Yasmin accounted for more than $1.7 billion in profit for Bayer, and is still ranked as the leading oral contraceptive in North America, despite the risks reported in the media.

More lawsuits are expected as the to arise as the pill's popularity increases. In East St. Louis, the hometown of Bayer, more than 25,000 Yaz lawsuits were filed in additional to the Yasmin class action suits that have been filed in the U.S. and Canada. Victims have requested a Yasmin recall, but more research may be needed before the FDA deems it necessary to protect young women.