Syeda (generic form of Yasmin) is an oral contraceptive that contains drospirenone, a new type of synthetic progestin. Several studies have linked drospirenone to a significantly higher risk of serious, life-threatening side effects, such as blood clots, pulmonary embolisms, heart attack, stroke, cerebral hemorrhage, gallbladder disease, and death.
What is Syeda?
Syeda is an oral contraceptive (“the pill”), manufactured by Sandoz Inc. It is a “once-a-day” medication. When taken correctly, fewer than 1 out of 100 women who take Syeda as their primary form of contraceptive will become pregnant. The effectiveness is one reason why oral contraceptives are one of the most popular forms of birth control — of the women who use contraception, 28% use an oral contraceptive. Syeda uses several mechanisms to prevent pregnancy. Syeda prevents the ovaries from releasing an egg (ovulation), and also changes the cervical mucus and the lining of the uterine wall.
The active ingredients in Syeda are drospirenone (synthetic progestin) and ethinyl estradiol (synthetic estrogen). Most types of oral birth control combine progestin/estrogen, but Syeda belongs to a new class of medications that contains drospirenone, a new type of synthetic progestin. Other oral birth control medications containing drospirenone include Yaz, Yasmin, Ocella, Beyaz, Zarah, Loryna, Gianvi, and Safyral.
Drospirenone has prompted the FDA to issue numerous safety warnings after research found a significantly increased risk of developing a blood clot while using birth control containing drospirenone.
- FDA Safety warning May 31, 2011
- FDA Safety Warning September 26, 2011
- FDA Safety Warning October 27, 2011
Is Syeda the same as Yasmin?
Syeda is the “generic” form of Yasmin. Are generic medicines different from the brand-name equivalent? When the patent on brand-name medications expires, other companies may begin to produce the same medication — but at a fraction of the price. The FDA has very specific rules regarding generic medicines: they must contain the same amount of active ingredients, dose, intended use, route of administration, side effects, risks, safety, and strength. Differences may include the color or shape of the pill.
Syeda Side Effects
Stoke is the most serious side effect of using Syeda.
Syeda contains drospirenone, which may increase the levels of potassium in a woman’s bloodstream too much, causing Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT). DVT is when blood clots form in the body, usually in the large arteries in the legs. On its own, DVT is not usually life-threatening, and the blood clots caused by DVT may be symptomless or resolve on their own. Occasionally, however, blood clots may travel to other parts of the body — this is called an embolism. When an embolism becomes stuck in a major internal organ such as the brain, lung, or heart, it may block the supply of blood to these organs. This side effect may cause stroke, heart attack, cerebral hemorrhage, or even death.
If you suspect that you have a blood clot, seek the help of an emergency physician immediately. Blood clots are often symptomless, but symptoms can include: pain in the extremities, numbness, swelling, a “tingling” sensation, blurred vision, and slurred speech. These symptoms may be precursors to far more serious side-effects.
Other Syeda Side Effects
- Irregular uterine bleeding
- Cerebral thrombosis
- Hypertension
- Gallbladder disease
- Hepatic adenomas or benign liver tumors
Side effects of using Syeda (particularly cardiovascular events) are increased for women who smoke and are over 35 years of age.
Studies of Drospirenone
Non-FDA Studies:
In 2009, two researchers published articles that found women may be twice as likely to develop a blood clot compared to women using other types of synthetic progestin, such as levonorgestrel. In 2011, two additional studies were published in the British Medical Journal that found a woman may be up to three times more likely to develop a blood clot compared to other oral contraceptives. In November 2011, a massive Israeli study that followed nearly 330,000 women found that a woman may have a 40% increased chance of developing a blood clot while using a drospirenone-containing contraceptive.
FDA Study:
In October 2011, the FDA published the preliminary results of its study, comparing drospirenone-containing contraceptives to other oral birth control medications. The study was by far the largest of all studies — following nearly 800,000 women. The FDA study found that women have at least a 1.5-fold increased chance of developing a blood clot while using drosprirenone.
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