Contraceptives containing Beyaz (Bayer Healthcare) show higher risk of blood clots

The use of oral Contraceptive pills that contain Beyaz (drospirenone), from Bayer Healthcare, is linked to a significantly higher risk of blood clots, both deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism, according to an article in the Canadian Medical Association Journal. The study found that the use of Beyz-containing combined oral contraceptives was associated with a significantly increased risk of venous thrombotic events (deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism) but not arterial thrombotic events (transient ischemic attack and cerebrovascular accident), relative to use of second- or third-generation combined oral contraceptives. Risk was highest in the early months of use. Older age, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, cancer and obesity were also risk factors for blood clots. The FDA will discuss the risks and benefits of these contraceptives at a meeting of the Reproductive Health Drugs Advisory Committee and the Drug Safety and Risk Management Advisory Committee on Dec. 8, 2011. See: "Higher risk of venous thrombosis associated with drospirenone-containing oral contraceptives: a population-based cohort study" Naomi Gronich, Idit Lavi, Gad Rennert. CMAJ November 7, 2011 First published November 7, 2011, doi: 10.1503/cmaj.110463