FDA to examine possible link between drospirenone, blood clots risk

SILVER SPRING, Md. — The Food and Drug Administration is investigating a possible link between a class of birth control pills and a higher risk of blood clots in the women taking them, the agency said.

The FDA cited two studies linking birth control pills containing drospirenone to internal blood clots called venous thromboembolisms, or VTEs. Most birth control pills contain an estrogen and a progestin, such as drospirenone or levonorgestrel. Birth control pills containing drospirenone include Bayer HealthCare Pharmaceuticals’ Yaz, Yasmin, Beyaz and Safyral, as well as generic versions.

The studies compared women who took birth control pills with drospirenone and pills that contained levonorgestrel and found that those taking the former had a greater risk of VTEs than those taking the latter. However, the FDA said other studies had not found an increased risk, and it would evaluate the findings and release any new safety information as it became available.