FDA Warnings to the Makers of Yaz and Yasmin
Misleading Yasmin and Yaz Ads and Commercials the Subject of FDA Warning Letters
Yaz and Yasmin are two of the most popular and best-selling birth control pills in the United States. However, the Food & Drug Administration (FDA) found that several ads and commercials within the Yaz and Yasmin marketing campaigns used misleading advertising which minimized the side effects involved with taking these birth control pills and portrayed them as safer than they have been proven to be.
The FDA sent the manufacturers three warning letters for downplaying the risks of Yaz and overstating the benefits of the birth control pill.
Yasmin Warning Letter: "Yasmin's Additional Health Risks"
The first FDA warning letter came in 2003. The 2003 FDA Yasmin warning letter found that the Yasmin ad "misleadingly represents or suggests that Yasmin is safer than has been demonstrated by substantial evidence or substantial clinical experience. The FDA also noted that "women and their healthcare providers must weigh Yasmin's additional health risks when considering Yasmin over [oral contraceptives] without drospirenone."
Yaz Warning Letter: Yaz Commercial "Over-promise[d] the Benefits and Minimize[d] the Risks"
The second warning letter came in October 2008, and again the FDA found that Yaz commercials “encourage[d] use of YAZ in circumstances other than those in which the drug has been approved, over-promise[d] the benefits and minimize[d] the risks associated with YAZ.” The 2008 FDA Yaz warning letter found that the Yaz commercials made it seem as though the drug could treat PMS and any level of acne, when in reality Yaz was only approved to treat PMDD (premenstrual dysphoric disorder) and moderate acne. As a result, the maker’s of Yaz had to run a $20 million advertising campaign to clarify the use and potential side effects of Yaz.
Yaz Warning Letter: Yaz Ad "Fail[ed] to Communicate Any Risk Information"
The third warning letter came in 2009 when the FDA found that Bayer’s advertisements for Yaz “fail[ed] to communicate any risk information” about use of the birth control pill. The 2009 FDA Yaz warning letter again found that Bayer was overstating the benefits of Yaz and the problems Yaz was designed to treat.
Injured by Yaz or Yasmin? Free and Confidential Consultation
Our Yaz lawyers represent people from across the country who were injured by Yaz or Yasmin birth control medication. If you or someone you know was injured by these medications, you may have a legal right to pursue financial compensation for your injuries or other damages. Fill out the form to the right or call (866) 981-4800 for a free confidential consultation concerning your possible Yaz lawsuit.
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This website is dedicated to providing public information regarding Yaz, Yasmin and Ocella lawsuits and other legal information. None of the information on this site is intended to be formal medical advice. If you have medical questions about Yaz, Yasmin and Ocella, please contact your doctor. Additionally, none of the information on this site is intended to be formal legal advice, nor the formation of an attorney-client relationship. If you would like to contact our Yaz, Yasmin and Ocella attorneys for a free and confidential legal consultation, please fill out the form on the right or call toll-free at (866) 981-4800.
INJURED BY YAZ OR YASMIN?
1-866-981-4800
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Yaz Lawsuits Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What should I do if I want to speak with a Yasmin and Yaz attorney?
A: Fill out the form above on the right side of the page or call our toll-free number (866) 981-4800 for a free consultation with our Yasmin & Yaz attorneys.
Q: How much will Girard Gibbs charge me?
A: Nothing. Our Yaz and Yasmin attorneys do not charge our clients up front for bringing a Yaz lawsuit.
Q: How can a Yaz and Yasmin attorney help me?
A: If you or a loved one were injured as a result of taking Yaz or Yasmin, you may be entitled to financial compensation, and our Yaz and Yasmin attorneys may be able to help with a Yaz Lawsuit.
Q: What are Yaz and Yasmin?
A: Yaz and Yasmin are prescription birth control pills. Yaz has also been indicated to treat symptoms of PMDD (premenstrual dysphoric disorder) as well as moderate acne. However, the FDA recently found that some of the Yaz advertisements were misleading and overstated the benefits of the pill. (See the FDA Yaz Warning Letters)
Q: What are the differences between Yaz and Yasmin?
A: Yaz and Yasmin are combination birth controls that use the hormones estrogen and progrestin. All three birth controls use the progestin hormone known as drospirenone, or drsp. Yasmin (generic Ocella) was the original birth control pill to use drospirenone. Yaz is similar to Yasmin and Ocella except that it uses less estrogen and uses a 24/4 day cycle, while Yasmin and Ocella are 21/7 day cycle birth contol pills.
Q: Who makes Yaz and Yasmin?
A: Yaz and Yasmin are manufactured by Bayer Healthcare Pharmaceuticals and originally developed by Berlex Laboratories, which is now owned by Bayer.
