The “Drug Watch” section of the September, 2012 edition of the American Journal of Nursing includes some startling information about hormonal contraceptive drugs containing the chemical drospirenone, such as YAZ,® Beyaz®, Safyral®, and Yasmin®.
Reviewing several studies comparing the relative risks of developing a blood clot for women using drospirenone-containing hormonal contraceptives versus women using other hormonal contraceptives, including one funded by the FDA itself, the American Journal of Nursing writes, “the FDA has concluded that there is an increased risk of blood clots if the contraceptive drospirenone; the increased risk may be as much as three times higher.”[1] (emphasis added)
Blood clots can be very dangerous, possibly resulting in stroke or heart attack. Thankfully, the article goes on to note that these drugs now contain such warnings on their packaging,[2] but I ask, why use any drug that has been found to be more dangerous than others with no increase in efficacy? A Bayer executive begrudgingly admitted to the FDA that Yaz is no more effective at preventing pregnancy than competing pills.
[1] “Drug Watch” American Journal of Nursing September 2012. Vol. 112, No. 9; p. 24
[2] Ibid.
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