Alexis Benter

The Food and Drug Administration has ordered Bayer AG to strengthen the blood-clot warnings on products such as Yasmin, which contains a synthetic hormone called drospirenone that has been found to triple the risk for blood clots.

Bayer has paid over $402 million in lawsuit settlements in the United States alone, due to claims that its Yasmin birth-control pills caused users to develop blood clots that can lead to heart attack and strokes. However, the payouts are just starting. According to some drug-industry analysts like JP Morgan Chase & Co.’s Richard Vosser, Bayer could very well pay more than $2 billion to resolve all of the cases when everything is said and done.

Litigation is Nothing New to Bayer

Bayer began facing litigation over its contraceptives back in 2009 when FDA reports uncovered at least 50 deaths tied to the company’s pills. Lawyers for the plaintiffs in earlier cases state that in court filings, Bayer executives marketed the birth-control pills for unapproved uses and hid the dangers from women. The cases were brought before U.S. District Judge David Herndon, who scheduled a series of trials for juries to investigate the claims that Bayer marketed their contraceptives as safer options while knowing the drug actually posed a higher clot risk.

Gallbladder Settlements

Bayer is also facing increasing claims from women who have suffered gallbladder disease and/or injury from Yaz or Yasmine. These cases often resulted in the need for the gallbladder to be removed. The lawsuits allege that Bayer failed to warm women that drospirenone, the same synthetic hormone linked to increased blood clot risk, may also increase gallbladder problems. At first, Bayer refused to consider settling Yaz gallbladder lawsuits, but the company later agreed to a settlement program.

If you or a loved one has experienced side effects or complications after using Yaz, Yasmin, or Ocella, you may be eligible to file a claim against Bayer. Click here to receive a free case evaluation.

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