Birth Control Lawsuits Filed Overseas

Miami, FLIf it seems as though birth control issues such as Beyaz side effects and other birth control side effects have been in the news for a while, they have. Litigation involving birth control similar to Beyaz birth control has been going for a few years. Although Beyaz lawsuits are not in the news as much as other, similar birth control such as Yasmin or Yaz, lawsuits are reportedly being filed against the makers of a variety of combined oral contraceptives, alleging patients were not adequately warned about the risks.

Yasmin birth control, which is similar to Beyaz, was approved by the FDA in 2001. In 2006, Yaz birth control, also similar to Beyaz, was approved. The birth control pills are all similar in that they contain drospirenone, a synthetic version of progestin. The birth control pills are known as combination oral contraceptives because they contain both progestin and estrogen elements. Drospirenone has been in the news lately, as have birth control pills that contain it, because of a reported link between it and serious health problems, including stroke. Furthermore, such birth control has also reportedly been linked to an increased risk of gallbladder problems.

Some lawsuits regarding Yasmin and Yaz side effects have been settled. That includes Bayer paying more than $400 million to settle one category of blood clot cases. But other lawsuits are still pending. And some are now being filed regarding Beyaz, which, because it is similar to Yasmin and Yaz, may be linked to similar side effects.

Lawsuits are even being filed internationally, with ABC News in Australia reporting (1/8/14) that hundreds of women have contacted a law firm regarding potential litigation against Bayer. The women say they want to file the lawsuit to stop such birth control from being on the market because it is reportedly linked to such serious side effects as strokes and gallbladder issues, in young, otherwise healthy women.

Also of concern to some are reports that despite the increased risk of side effects, newer versions of birth control are not more effective at preventing pregnancy than older forms of birth control.

Lawsuits against Bayer allege the company knew about the risks of gallbladder issues and strokes but failed to warn about those risks.