Baltimore, MDWith all the focus on birth control side effects remaining on Yasmin and Yaz, it is easy to forget that Safyral also contains drospirenone and therefore comes with a potential risk of drospirenone side effects. In fact, Safyral is very similar to Yasmin and Yaz, but concerns about Safyral side effects have not been focused on as much as Yasmin and Yaz.
Like Yasmin and Yaz, Safyral contains drospirenone, a synthetic progestin. The drugs also contain ethinyl estradiol. Drospirenone and fourth-generation birth control that contains drospirenone have been linked in some studies to an increased risk of deep vein thrombosis, blood clots, pulmonary embolism and gallbladder problems. Not all studies have found such a link, but the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) was concerned enough that in 2011 it convened a panel of experts to determine whether Yasmin and Yaz birth control pills should be taken off the market.
The panel voted 15 to 11 to keep the drugs on the market, but also voted 21 to 5 that the label on those drugs should be updated to reflect the risk of blood clots. According to The Wall Street Journal (12/9/11), studies conducted by the company that makes the birth control, Bayer, have not consistently shown an increased risk of developing a blood clot. But for those women who do develop a blood clot, the results can be serious.
Some lawsuits filed against Bayer regarding Yasmin and Yaz birth control alleging heart and gallbladder problems have been settled. In some cases, women alleged, their use of the fourth-generation birth control resulted in stroke or other cardiac problems, or the removal of their gallbladder. Lawsuits filed against the company allege Bayer failed to adequately warn medical professionals and patients about the risks associated with drospirenone-containing birth control.
Safyral is the same chemical combination as Yasmin, but also contains levomefolate calcium (basically, folic acid which is a B vitamin). The vitamin was added to the contraceptive to prevent against neural tube defects in the case of an accidental pregnancy. Safyral was approved by the FDA for use in 2010.
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