New generic for Yaz birth control released days before FDA meeting DRSP health warnings

Watson Pharmaceuticals has released a generic form of Yaz birth control that contains drospirenone (DRSP), despite preliminary FDA reports that pills containing DRSP are harmful to a woman’s health.

The FDA study, which is discussed further on our Yaz website, found that drospirenone-based birth control pills may increase the risk of blood clots by 75% compared to some older, progestin-only pills. The report also discusses the increased risk of deep vein thrombosis, pulmonary embolism and strokes. The FDA also warned that women taking the newer-generation pills containing DRSP could be at double the risk for heart attack than those women who take pills that do not contain DRSP. Watson Pharmaceutical’s new oral contraceptive, Vestura, contains both ethinyl estradiol and drospirenone.

Yaz oral contraceptives and its generics are the only birth control pills on the market that contain drospirenone. Other forms of Yaz include:

- Yasmin (the older version of Yaz)

- Gianvi (generic of Yaz)

- Loryna (generic of Yaz)

- Ocella (generic of Yasmin)

- Syeda (generic of Yasmin)

- Zarah (generic of Yasmin)

- Beyaz (newest version of Yaz containing folic acid)

Concerns about the hormone drospirenone are so strong that the FDA’s Reproductive Health Drugs Advisory Committee and their Risk Management Advisory Committee will be discussing blood clots caused by DRSP-containing birth control in a panel meeting this Thursday, December 8, at the University of Maryland University College in Adelphi, Maryland.

Check back frequently as more information becomes available about this meeting, or contact us toll-free at 888.841.9623 for immediate answers to your questions. For more information on Yaz birth control and injuries resulting from the medication, email us at Anneke@ToledoLaw.com.