Yaz

The active ingredient in Yaz is drospirenone and ethinyl estradiol. Yaz is a form of birth control pill that contains two hormones: drospirenone (a progestin) and ethinyl estradiol (an estrogen). Both hormones prevent pregnancy by inhibiting ovulation (the release of an egg from the ovary), altering cervical mucus to inhibit sperm motility, and changing the uterine lining to keep the egg from implanting.

Yaz also helps with acne by reducing testosterone levels in the body. This reduces oil production and blockage of the skin's pores, hence preventing acne.

Follow all directions given to you by your doctor and read all documents provided, including the full Prescribing Information, FDA-Approved Product Labeling, Instructions for Use, and Medication Guide before using Yaz. However, the following is a synopsis of the general guidelines for the use of Yaz:

• Take Yaz precisely as your doctor has directed. Follow the directions on your prescription label. Take your first pill on the first day of your period, or the first Sunday after it begins. When you initially start taking this medicine, you may need to utilize a backup method of birth control, such as condoms with spermicide.
• Take one pill daily, no more than 24 hours apart. When the pills have run out, start a new pack the next day. You could become pregnant if you do not take one pill every day.
• You may experience breakthrough bleeding, particularly within the first three months. Inform your doctor if the bleeding continues or is severe.
• If you require major surgery or will be on long-term bed rest, you may need to discontinue Yaz for a short time. Any doctor or surgeon who treats you should be aware that you are taking this medication.

The most common side effects of Yaz include:

• Headaches.
• Nausea or vomiting.
• Breast pain or tenderness.
• Heavy or irregular vaginal bleeding.
• Lower sex drive.
• Feeling irritable or mood changes.
• Weight gain.
• Fatigue.

Some individuals may experience serious side effects while using Yaz. These side effects may require immediate medical attention. If you experience any of the following, contact your healthcare provider or seek emergency medical help:

• Heart attack - chest pain, stomach discomfort, perspiration, nausea, and dizziness.
• Stroke - sudden numbness or weakness in the arm, leg, or face, confusion, vision problems, severe headaches, and difficulty walking.
• Deep vein thrombosis (blood clot in the leg) - leg cramps, swelling, pain, and muscle tightness.
• Pulmonary embolism (blood clot in the lung) - cough, chest pain, difficulty breathing, racing heart.
• Liver issues - yellowing of the skin or the whites of the eyes, fatigue, and stomach ache.
• Allergic reactions - hives, shortness of breath, and swelling of the face, tongue, or throat.

These are not all of Yaz's possible side effects. You should always seek medical advice from your healthcare provider for any questions or concerns about your medical condition or treatment. Read all patient information, medication guides, or drug information sheets that come with this medication. You can also report adverse effects to the Food and Drug Administration at www.fda.gov/medwatch or 1-800-FDA-1088.

Before starting Yaz, it is crucial to discuss any existing health conditions with your healthcare provider. You should be sure that your healthcare provider is aware of all your medical conditions, including if you have:

Do not take Yaz if you have:

• A history of blood clots.
• An increased risk of blood clots due to a heart condition or a hereditary blood issue.
• Heart disease (coronary artery disease, previous heart attack, stroke, or blood clot).
• Migraine headaches are accompanied by aura, numbness, weakness, or vision abnormalities.
• Untreated or uncontrollable high blood pressure.
• Circulation issues (particularly those caused by diabetes).
• Very high cholesterol or triglycerides (fat in the blood).
• High triglyceride levels have caused pancreatitis, either currently or previously.
• Serious liver disease, cancer, or benign liver tumors.
• A history of jaundice (yellowing of the eyes or skin) due to pregnancy or birth control medications.
• Severe kidney disease or renal failure.
• A history of hormone-related cancers, such as breast, uterine/cervical, or vaginal cancer.
• Unusual vaginal bleeding that has not been evaluated by a physician.

To ensure that Yaz is safe for you, inform your doctor if you have ever encountered:

• Heart disease, high blood pressure, or a history of blood clots are all risk factors.
• Your blood contains high quantities of potassium levels.
• Elevated cholesterol or triglycerides
• Depression.
• Liver or kidney disease.
• Thyroid illness.
• Diabetes.
• Gallbladder illness.
• Migraine headaches.
• Lupus.
• Cancer.
• Inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn's or ulcerative colitis).
• Cigarette smoking significantly increases your risk of blood clots, strokes, and heart attacks. Your risk increases as you become older and smoke more. If you smoke and are over 35 years of age, you should not take Yaz.
• Yaz may increase your risk of blood clots, stroke, or heart attack. You are at a significantly greater risk if you have high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol, or are overweight. The risk of a stroke or blood clot is greatest during the first year of taking birth control tablets. When you resume using birth control pills after being off for four weeks or more, your risk increases.

Contraindications are certain health problems or situations in which a person should avoid taking a drug for safety reasons. If you have any of the following conditions or if any of the following apply to you, please notify your healthcare professional since Yaz is not safe for you to consume.

• Problems with the kidneys, liver, or adrenal gland.
• Liver tumor.
• Women over 35 years old who smoke.
• History of deep vein thrombosis, pulmonary embolism, or stroke.
• Problems with blood arteries in the heart and brain.
• History of certain cardiac diseases.
• Uncontrolled hypertension or diabetes.
• Headaches that affect the spinal cord or brain.
• Migraine headaches with or without aura in people over the age of 35.
• Abnormal uterine bleeding that has not yet been diagnosed by your provider.
• Breast cancer (current or prior), which may be hormone-sensitive.
• Pregnancy.
• Current treatment with Viekira Pak (dasabuvir, ombitasvir, paritaprevir, and ritonavir).

Yaz should not be used as a contraceptive until after the first 7 days of administration. Use a non-hormonal contraception as a backup during the first 7 days. The likelihood of ovulation and conception before starting medication should be explored.

When Yaz is taken with other prescription drugs, over-the-counter medications, vitamins, and supplements, it may change how they work or increase the frequency or severity of side effects. Make sure that you tell your healthcare professional about anything that you are taking to avoid any negative drug interactions, including:

• Hepatitis C treatment medications.
• Seizure drugs (such as phenytoin, phenobarbital, carbamazepine, t opiramate, oxcarbazepine, primidone, felbamate, and others).
• Rifampin.
• Antifungal drugs include griseofulvin, ketoconazole, itraconzaole, voriconazole, fluconazole, and others.
• Antibiotics include tetracycline, minocycline, ampicillin, and others.
• Blood pressure drugs (such as lisinopril, captopril, enalapril, valsartan, losartan, and others).
• Diuretics or water tablets, such as spironolactone (Aldactone).
• Blood thinners, such as heparin and enoxaparin (Lovenox).
• Potassium supplement.
• Chronic usage of NSAID pain relievers (such as acetaminophen, ibuprofen, naproxen, and others).
• St. John’s wort.

Yaz (and its branded generics) is available as a 28-day pre-packaged pharmaceutical course. There are 24 active pills, each containing 3 mg of drospirenone and 20 mcg of ethinyl estradiol. There are four placebo tablets, which do not contain any active medication.

The typical dosage form is to take one active tablet by mouth every day for 24 days, followed by one placebo tablet every day for the next four. The tablets must be taken in the sequence indicated in the blister pack.

Store Yaz at room temperature and keep out of reach of children.

Bayer HealthCare Pharmaceuticals makes Yaz, an oral contraceptive tablet.

There are several different generic versions of Yaz available at different costs.

You can stop Yaz at any time but it is important to speak to your healthcare provider about the consequences and side effects of stopping birth control.

Do not use it if you are pregnant. Stop using Yaz and contact your doctor straight away if you become pregnant or skip two menstrual periods in a row. If you have just had a baby, wait at least 4 weeks before using this medication.

Yaz's hormones can transfer into breast milk, potentially harming a nursing baby. Yaz may also reduce breast milk production. Do not use it if you are breastfeeding.