Yaz

Yaz 28 Day Drug Information

• Yaz Overview

  an estrogen (ethinyl estradiol) and a progestin (drospirenone). Yaz is used to prevent pregnancy. It works mainly by preventing the release of an egg (ovulation) during your menstrual cycle. It also makes vaginal fluid thicker to help prevent sperm from reaching an egg (fertilization) and changes the lining of the uterus (womb) to prevent attachment of a fertilized egg. If a fertilized egg does not attach to the uterus, it passes out of the body. Yaz also may be used to treat premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) or moderate acne if you have chosen to use birth control pills as your method of pregnancy prevention. Besides preventing pregnancy, birth control pills may make your periods more regular, decrease blood loss and painful periods, and decrease your risk of ovarian cysts. Using Yaz does not protect you or your partner against sexually transmitted diseases (such as HIV, gonorrhea, chlamydia).

• Yaz Warnings

  Do not use Yaz if you smoke cigarettes/use tobacco and are over 35 years old. Smoking raises your risk of stroke, heart attack, blood clots, and high blood pressure from hormonal birth control (such as the pill, patch, ring). The risk of these serious problems increases with age and with the number of cigarettes you smoke. Do not smoke or use tobacco.

• How to Use Yaz

  Read the Patient Information Leaflet provided by your pharmacist before you start using Yaz and each time you get a refill. The leaflet contains very important information on when to take your pills and what to do If you miss a dose of Yaz. If you have any questions, consult your doctor or pharmacist. Take Yaz by mouth as directed by your doctor, with or without food, usually once daily. Pick a time of day that is easy for you to remember, and take your pill at the same time each day, 24 hours apart. Taking Yaz after your evening meal or at bedtime may help decrease stomach upset and nausea. Follow the package instructions to find the first tablet, start with the first tablet in the pack, and take them in the correct order. Do not skip any doses. Pregnancy is more likely if you miss pills, start a new pack late, or take your pill at a different time of the day than usual. Your pill pack contains 24 pills with active medication (with hormones). It also contains 4 reminder pills (without hormones) at the end of the pack. Take one active pill (with hormones) once daily for 24 days in a row. After you have taken the last active pill, take a reminder pill (without hormones) once daily for 4 days in a row unless otherwise directed by your doctor. You should have your period within 3 days after you take the last active tablet in the cycle during the fourth week of the pack. After you have taken the last inactive tablet in the pack, start a new pack the next day whether or not you have your period. If you do not get your period, consult your doctor. If this is the first time you are using Yaz and you are not switching from another form of hormonal birth control (such as the patch, other birth control pills), take the first tablet in the pack on the first Sunday following the beginning of your menstrual period or on the first day of your period. If your period begins on a Sunday, begin taking Yaz on that day. For the first cycle of use only, use an additional form of non-hormonal birth control (such as condoms, spermicide) for the first 7 days to prevent pregnancy until the medication has enough time to work. If you start on the first day of your period, you do not need to use back-up birth control the first week. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for information about how to switch from other forms of hormonal birth control (such as the patch, other birth control pills) to Yaz.

• Yaz Precautions

  Before using Yaz, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to ethinyl estradiol or drospirenone; or to other estrogens or progestins; or if you have any other allergies. Yaz may contain inactive ingredients, which can cause allergic reactions or other problems. Talk to your pharmacist for more details. Before using Yaz, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history,adrenal gland problems, stroke, blood clots (such as in the legs, eyes, lungs), high blood pressure, abnormal breast exam, cancer (especially endometrial or breast cancer), blood clotting disorders (such as protein C or protein S deficiency), diabetes, severe headaches/migraines, family or personal history of a certain swelling disorder (angioedema), heart problems (such as heart valve disease, irregular heartbeat, previous heart attack), kidney problems, liver disease (including tumors), history of yellowing eyes/skin (jaundice) during pregnancy or while using birth control pills, unexplained vaginal bleeding, high cholesterol or triglyceride (blood fat) levels, depression, swelling (edema), gallbladder problems, obesity. If you have diabetes, Yaz may affect your blood sugar. Check your blood sugar regularly as directed and share the results with your doctor. Tell your doctor right away if you have symptoms of high blood sugar such as increased thirst/urination. Your doctor may need to adjust your diabetes medication, exercise program, or diet. Tell your doctor if you just had or will be having major surgery, or if you will be confined to a chair or bed for a long time (such as a long plane flight). These conditions increase your risk of getting blood clots, especially if you are taking hormonal birth control products. You may need to stop Yaz for a time or take special precautions. Before having surgery, tell your doctor or dentist about all the products you use (including prescription drugs, nonprescription drugs, and herbal products). Yaz may increase your potassium levels. Before using potassium supplements or salt substitutes that contain potassium, consult your doctor or pharmacist. Yaz may cause blotchy, dark areas on your face and skin (melasma). Sunlight may worsen this effect. Limit your time in the sun. Avoid tanning booths and sunlamps. Use sunscreen and wear protective clothing when outdoors. If you are nearsighted or wear contact lenses, you may develop vision problems or trouble wearing your contact lenses. Contact your eye doctor if these problems occur. It may take longer for you to become pregnant after you stop taking birth control pills. Consult your doctor. Yaz should not be used during pregnancy. If you become pregnant or think you may be pregnant, tell your doctor right away. If you have just given birth or had a pregnancy loss/abortion after the first 3 months, talk with your doctor about reliable forms of birth control, and find out when it is safe to start using birth control that contains a form of estrogen, such as Yaz. Yaz passes into breast milk. This may affect milk production and may harm a nursing infant. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.

• Yaz Misdose

  Refer to the product package information for advice on missed doses. You may need to use back-up birth control (such as condoms, spermicide) to prevent pregnancy. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions. If you often forget to take your pills as directed, contact your doctor to discuss switching to another form of birth control.

• Yaz Interactions

  See also Precautions section. Drug interactions may change how your medications work or increase your risk for serious side effects. This document does not contain all possible drug interactions. Keep a list of all the products you use (including prescription/nonprescription drugs and herbal products) and share it with your doctor and pharmacist. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicines without your doctor's approval.aromatase inhibitors (such as anastrozole, exemestane), atazanavir/cobicistat, ospemifene, tamoxifen, tizanidine, tranexamic acid, certain combination products used to treat chronic hepatitis C (ombitasvir/paritaprevir/ritonavir with or without dasabuvir). Drospirenone may raise your potassium blood level. Tell your doctor if you are regularly taking other drugs/products that can also raise your potassium level (including aliskiren, ACE inhibitors such as enalapril/lisinopril, angiotensin receptor blockers such as losartan/valsartan, heparin, NSAIDs such as ibuprofen/naproxen, potassium-sparing "water pills"/diuretics such as eplerenone/spironolactone/triamterene). Some drugs may cause hormonal birth control to work less well by decreasing the amount of birth control hormones in your body. This effect can result in pregnancy. Examples of these drugs include griseofulvin, modafinil, rifamycins (such as rifampin), St. John's wort, drugs used to treat seizures (such as barbiturates, carbamazepine, felbamate, phenytoin, primidone, topiramate), HIV drugs (such as nelfinavir, nevirapine, ritonavir), among others. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more details. Tell your doctor when you start any new drug, and discuss whether you should use additional reliable birth control. Also tell your doctor if you have any new spotting or breakthrough bleeding, because these may be signs that your birth control is not working well. Yaz can affect the results of many laboratory tests. Make sure laboratory personnel and all your doctors know you use Yaz.

• Yaz Side Effects

  What are Yaz side effects?

  Side effects are physical, mental or emotional symptoms which occur in addition to or outside of the desired effect of a therapeutic treatment such as an over-the-counter or prescribed drug or medication. Side effects from Yaz may occur at the beginning or at the end of treatment and may also depend on the length of time an individual remains on the treatment. Side effects, also known as adverse effects, are generally more likely to occur when starting treatment. Individuals may also experience side effects from Yaz as a result of an interaction with other medications.

  Side Effects of Yaz

  The side effects of Yaz may vary in number and intensity for many different reasons. Factors such as age, weight, gender and ethnicity may influence the side effects of Yaz. Also, an individual’s state of general physical health and seriousness of the disease or illness as well as an increase or decrease in dosage may lead to side effects. Further, side effects from Yaz may also occur as a result of an interaction with certain herbal supplements, foods or drinks.

  Prescription drug side effects can be serious and may cause patients to stop the treatment. However, when side effects from the use of a prescription drug, such as Yaz, do occur a patient should consult their physician. A physician may prescribe an additional treatment in order to control the symptoms or an adjustment in the dosage may be made. In addition, changes to diet, exercise or other lifestyle activities may help to lessen the side effects of Yaz.

  By understanding side effects and the factors which may influence the occurrence of side effects patients are empowered to take an active role in their care. Patients who have specific questions about the side effects of Yaz, or any other medication, should contact their physician. General information about Yaz and the side effects associated with Yaz are described in the following:

  Common Yaz Side Effects

  Severe

  • headache disorder
  • amenorrhea
  • irregular menstrual periods
  • abnormal vaginal bleeding

  Less Severe

  • obstructive hyperbilirubinemia
  • mastalgia
  • abdominal distension
  • breast engorgement

  Less Frequent Yaz Side Effects

  Severe

  • migraine
  • hypertension

  Less Severe

  • irritability
  • libido changes
  • nausea
  • abdominal pain with cramps
  • fatigue
  • vomiting
  • mood changes
  • weight gain

  Rare or Very Rare Yaz Side Effects

  Severe

  • retinal vascular occlusion
  • benign hepatic cell adenoma
  • malignant neoplasm of liver
  • hyperlipidemia
  • hyperkalemia
  • depression
  • systemic lupus erythematosus
  • acute myocardial infarction
  • pulmonary thromboembolism
  • intracerebral hemorrhage
  • thromboembolic disorder
  • thrombotic disorder
  • hepatitis
  • gallbladder disease
  • inflammatory bowel disease
  • Erythema Multiforme
  • erythema nodosum
  • angioedema
  • cerebrovascular accident
  • Dysplasia of Cervix
  • arterial thrombosis

  Less Severe

  • body fluid retention
  • chloasma
  • hypertriglyceridemia

• Yaz Storage

  Store at room temperature away from light and moisture. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep all medications away from children and pets. Do not flush medications down the toilet or pour them into a drain unless instructed to do so. Properly discard Yaz when it is expired or no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company.