Beasley, Allen, Crow, Methvin, Portis & Miles, P.C.

Swissmedic, the Swiss Agency for Therapeutic Products, has closed its formal investigation into contraceptives containing drospirenone, following the death of one young woman and of another woman who is now severely disabled. The agency says that although the risk of thrombosis, or blood clots, is higher with this generation of contraceptives, the risk remains “within reasonable limits.” Swissmedic says the drug will remain on the market there but the drugs are required to have updated information on their label to reflect an increased risk of serious injury.

Birth control pills that contain drospirenone include the brand names Yaz and Yasmin as well as the generic Ocella. Drospirenone is a diuretic that can cause an increase in potassium in the blood that can lead to blood clots, strokes and sudden cardiac death. The drug has also been linked to significant problems with the gallbladder.

The most important updates of the product labeling for prescribers and patients concerns the frequency of venous thromboembolism, the presentation of the warning symptoms of venous thromboembolism, and the increased risk of venous thromboembolism after restarting oral contraception following a break of at least four weeks.

Yaz, manufactured by Bayer Healthcare Pharmaceuticals, Inc., is the only birth control pill sold in the U.S. that contains drospirenone. It is still prescribed by doctors despite numerous reports of serious injuries by women who took the oral contraceptives.

Source: World Radio Switzerland

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