What is Ocella?
Ocella is an oral contraceptive used by women to prevent pregnancy. A generic brand of the drug drosperinone, this birth control pill primarily works by stopping ovulation. It also alters cervical mucus and the uterine lining, making fertilization and embryo implantation difficult.
Ocella vs. Yasmin
The popular contraceptive Ocella combines drosperinone with ethynyl estradiol, an estrogen used in almost all combined oral contraceptives. Ocella is also known by the names Yaz and Yasmin (and sometimes Yasmine), this birth control product has severe safety concerns and is not recommended as a first line birth control agent. Basically, Ocella and Yaz are the same thing.
The trendy but dangerous birth control pills are Bayer’s most popular drugs and the world’s most popular oral contraceptive. Bayer, the well-known German chemical and pharmaceutical company, is best known for its original brand of aspirin.
Ocella Side Effects
A series of television commercials in 2008 prompted the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to cite Bayer Healthcare Pharmaceuticals for overstating the pill’s approved uses and for failing to address the risks. In a four-year period between 2004 and 2008, consumers filed hundreds of injury and death reports related to these birth control pills.
More than 50 reports of death were also filed with the FDA. The death reports include incidents of cardiac arrhythmia, cardiac arrest, blood clots in the heart, blood clots in the lungs, and stroke in women of childbearing age. Reports of elevated potassium levels were often included in these filings with the FDA.
Is Ocella Safe?
In 2009, consumers brought 129 lawsuits against Bayer over the birth control drugs, their side effects, and the company’s misleading marketing campaign. The lawsuits feature a number of allegations, including over promoting the drug and its approved uses; glossing over the health risks; failing to research the medication; and failing to recall the drug after reports of potential life-threatening Ocella side effects.
Later in the year, the FDA cited Bayer for shipping potentially low-quality batches of drosperinone, which the pharmaceutical company justified by explaining that they monitor average shipments rather than individual batches. The government agency also required Bayer to change its commercials. The company complied, but their television commercials were too jargon-filled and confusing to be effective.
A number of lawyers now represent hundreds of women who have been seriously injured by Bayer’s birth control products. If you are experiencing any side effects related to Ocella, Yaz, or Yasmin, fill out the web form today. A qualified attorney will contact you to discuss your case further.
