The Ongoing Saga of Yaz and Yasmin Birth Control Lawsuits: Understanding Settlements for Pharmaceutical Injuries
The birth control pills Yaz and Yasmin, once hailed as advancements in contraception, became embroiled in a storm of litigation throughout the 2010s. These lawsuits, primarily concerning injuries allegedly caused by the drugs, have raised critical questions about pharmaceutical safety, marketing practices, and the responsibility of manufacturers to adequately warn consumers about potential risks. This blog post delves into the history of Yaz/Yasmin birth control lawsuits, the settlements that followed, and what individuals need to know about pharmaceutical injuries.
Yaz and Yasmin: A Background
Yaz and Yasmin are oral contraceptives manufactured by Bayer HealthCare Pharmaceuticals. They contain a synthetic progestin called drospirenone, combined with ethinyl estradiol. Approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Yaz was also prescribed to treat moderate acne and premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD). Yasmin was approved in 2001, and Yaz followed in 2006.
While effective in preventing pregnancy, Yaz and Yasmin were linked to an increased risk of serious side effects, sparking thousands of lawsuits against Bayer.
The Core of the Lawsuits: What Went Wrong?
The primary allegation in the Yaz and Yasmin lawsuits centered on the increased risk of blood clots associated with drospirenone. Blood clots can lead to severe health complications, including:
- Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT): A blood clot that forms in a deep vein, usually in the leg.
- Pulmonary Embolism (PE): A blood clot that travels to the lungs, blocking blood flow.
- Stroke: Occurs when blood supply to the brain is interrupted.
- Heart Attack: Occurs when blood flow to the heart is blocked.
Plaintiffs argued that Bayer knew or should have known about these elevated risks and failed to adequately warn users and the medical community. Claims also included allegations of negligence, strict product liability, breach of warranty, and fraudulent misrepresentation. Some lawsuits also alleged that Bayer misled consumers by exaggerating the benefits of Yaz and Yasmin in their marketing campaigns.
The Litigation Landscape: MDL and Settlements
Given the large number of similar cases, Yaz and Yasmin lawsuits were consolidated into a multidistrict litigation (MDL) in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Illinois. An MDL is designed to streamline the litigation process when numerous plaintiffs have similar claims against the same defendant.
As of May 2025, there have been no new developments in this litigation since MDL No. 2100 “Yasmin and Yaz (drospirenone) Marketing, Sales Practices and Products Liability Litigation” closed on Jan. 4, 201. Since the consolidated MDL in Illinois began in October 2009, more than 19,000 Yaz and Yasmin cases have been resolved, according to Judge David R. Herndon in his Order Recommending Termination of Multidistrict Litigation dated Dec. 18, 201. Bayer and litigation plaintiffs reached settlement agreements for cases involving blood clots, complications resulting from blood clots and gallbladder problem
** Settlement Amounts and Categories**