FDA Warns of Increased Risk of Blood Clots with Yaz and Yasmin

On May 31, 2011 the FDA issued a safety alert warning of a possible increased risk of blood clots associated with birth control pills containing drospirenone. Drospirenone is a hormone found in the birth control pills Yaz, Yasmin, and their generics.

The British Medical Journal recently included two reports that found a twofold to threefold greater risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE) in women taking pills like Yaz or Yasmin. The studies focused on whether there is a higher risk of blood clots in women taking birth control pills containing the progestin drospirenone when compared to similar women taking birth control pills containing a different progestin called levonorgestrel. Expects said doctors and patients should watch for symptoms of blood clots, such as leg or chest pain.

Currently, the FDA is evaluating the results from these studies and will look at all currently available information to fully assess the risks and benefits of drospirenone-containing birth control pills. The FDA has commissioned an 800,000 person study to examine the risks, which it expects will be completed later this summer.