Yaz, Yasmin, and Ocella are birth control drugs. They are known as combination oral contraceptive drugs because they contain a combination of the hormones estrogen (ethinyl estradiol) and progestin (drospirenone). Yasmin was approved for use in the United States in 2001, while Yaz, a lower dose version, was approved for use in 2006. A generic version of Yasmin, marketed as Ocella, has been on the market since 2008.

Yaz, Yasmin, and Ocella are different from other birth-control pills because they contain progestin (drospirenone), which may increase potassium. Increased potassium levels in the blood (known as hyperkalemia) can cause irregular heartbeat; nausea; or slow, weak, or absent pulse.

Oral contraceptives have been linked to serious, life-threatening side effects, such as:

• Blood clots
• Pulmonary Embolism
• Strokes
• Heart attacks
• Gallbladder disease
• Liver tumors
• Myocardial infarction
• Death

The FDA warned the manufacturer that certain of their ads were misleading because the ads:

• Minimized the serious risks associated with the drug.
• Wrongly implied that the drug was appropriate for treating woman with Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS).

Based on the FDA warnings, the drug manufacturer ran additional advertising to correct the prior ads. 

We recognize that you may be worried about your current health status and/or concerned about the lingering effects of taking Yaz. The best person to speak with regarding medical concerns is your primary care physician or other trusted health professional. We urge you to speak with your doctor about any concerns you have.

No.  Health Insurance is not required to pursue legal action in this matter.