Information on Yaz (Drospirenone and Ethinyl Estradiol)-A Birth Control Pill

Combination oral contraceptive (COC) Yaz birth control tablets contain progestin and synthetic estrogen (Ethinyl estradiol) (drospirenone). Yaz can significantly lower your chance of getting pregnant by more than 99% when taken daily.

Yaz is offered under numerous brand names, including Gianvi and Vestura. The cost of monthly medication is frequently covered by Medicaid and commercial insurance programs, with Yaz birth control rates ranging from $15 to $80 each pack.

This page describes Yaz and its applications, which include treating severe PMS and acne (PMS). It describes dosing, Yaz's primary side effects, and the situations in which some people shouldn't take the medication.

Uses of Yaz

Yaz has a variety of non-contraceptive uses in addition to its primary purpose of preventing pregnancy. Treatment for the premenstrual dysphoric disorder, a severe type of PMS, is foremost among these (PMDD).

Between 3% and 8% of women experience PMDD, an unpleasant disorder that has a negative impact on their moods and interpersonal relationships at home and at work. Compared to other oral contraceptive methods, Yaz seems to be more successful in treating PMDD.

By suppressing specific hormones that lead to acne outbreaks, Yaz is also approved to treat moderate acne. Yaz may prevent pregnancy and help clear up acne-prone skin if you choose to use an oral contraceptive, have started menstruation, and are at least 14 years old. 

Although Yaz and other combination birth control tablets aren't given for these advantages directly, they can guard against a variety of connected and unconnected problems, including:

·       Ovarian cancer

·       Cancer of the uterus

·       Intestinal cancer

·       Malignant breast cysts

·       A few ovarian cysts

·       Dryness of the vagina and uncomfortable sex

·       Osteoporosis

·       A lot of body hair (hirsutism)

Names of Yaz birth control products

Yaz can be found under the names Gianvi, Loryna, Nikki, Vestura, and Jasmiel, among others. It is marketed under the trade names Safyral and Beyaz and is also known by its generic name, drospirenone/Ethinyl estradiol. Occasionally, the two are combined with the B vitamin levomefolate.

Before Using Yaz

Your doctor will review your medical history before recommending any oral contraceptives. If there is a reason you shouldn't take Yaz, they will look into it.

Always discuss any drugs, vitamins, or supplements you are taking with your healthcare professional. While some medications have a small chance of interfering with Yaz, others may be downright contraindicated.

Contraindications and Precautions

Yaz, like other combination oral contraceptives, is not recommended for use by smokers older than 35. The risk of major cardiovascular events that can occur with COCs is increased by cigarette smoking.

Drospirenone should not be taken if you have a kidney, liver, or adrenal disease since it can raise blood potassium levels. The operation of neuron and muscle cells, particularly those in the heart and circulatory system, depends on the dietary mineral potassium.

Additionally, anyone should not use Yaz with a history of: 

1) coronary artery diseases, such as angina pectoris, blood clots, stroke, transient ischemic attack (ministroke), or retinal thrombosis

2) extremely high triglyceride or cholesterol levels

3) High quantities of fatty compounds in the blood and pancreatitis 

4) Uncontrolled high blood pressure

5) Diabetes-related kidney, eye, nerve, or circulatory diseases

6) any hormone-related cancer, including ovarian, cervical, breast, and breast cancer that is known or suspected.

7) abnormal bleeding in the uterus

8) Liver disease, a liver tumor, or jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes)

9) head pain from migraines

10) pregnant or may be pregnant

11) a major procedure is planned

Yaz is not advised for patients using direct-acting antivirals for the treatment of hepatitis C since Ethinyl estradiol has been linked to issues with the liver. If you want an oral contraceptive but are receiving treatment for hepatitis C, progestin-only pills can be a better option. 4

The FDA points out that while some studies have found no increased risk, others have identified a three-fold rise in blood clots among women on COCs containing drospirenone.

According to the FDA, there is much less of a risk of blood clots from the pill than from pregnancy or childbirth, even when using combination oral contraceptives.

Additional Oral Contraceptive Combinations (COCs)

Contrary to birth control pills that contain solely progestin, such as the "mini-pill," combination oral contraceptives contain synthetic estrogen and progesterone. COCs should only be taken by those who can tolerate estrogen.

The active tablets in combination medications might be monophasic (meaning they all have the same dose) or multiphasic (where the dose in the active pills varies by location in the cycle). Yaz is a monophasic drug that contains 24 active pills and 4 inactive pills.

Other monophasic oral contraceptives include:

1) Brevicon, Modicon, Wera, Balziva, Briellyn, Gildagia, Philith, Zenchent (Ethinyl estradiol and norethindrone)

2) Estarylla, Previfem, Sprintec (Ethinyl estradiol and norgestimate)

3) Safyral, Beyaz (Drospirenone, ethinyl estradiol, and levomefolate)

4) Cryselle, Elinest, Ogestrel (ethinyl estradiol and norgestrel)

5) Desogen, Juleber, Reclipsen, Solia, and April (ethinyl estradiol and desogestrel)

6) Daysee, Lessina, Levora, Altavera (ethinyl estradiol and levonorgestrel)

7) Amethia, Ashlyn, Jolessa, Seasonique, Quasense, and Introvale (a 91-day combination of ethinyl estradiol and levonorgestrel)

8) Amethyst (a 365-day ethinyl estradiol and levonorgestrel pill, previously marketed as Lybrel)

Dosage

Yaz comes in a blister pack of 28 pills, 24 of which are light pink and contain the hormones that are active and four of which are white and inert. Yaz should be consumed once daily, with or without meals. It should be taken every day at the same time, either right before bed or right after dinner.

There are two ways to begin taking the pills:

Method 1: Even if you're still bleeding, take the first pill on the Sunday right after the start of your period. Take your first pill on Sunday if your period begins that day. Until you have taken seven tablets, make sure to utilize a backup method of contraception, such as a condom.

Method 2: Take your first pill within the first 24 hours of the start of your period using method number two. You do not need to employ a backup strategy with this approach because the medication works after just one dose.

Yaz can upset your stomach, so consider taking it with food or your evening meal if this happens.

Side Effects of Yaz

Yaz's side effects usually subside within two to three months as your body starts to acclimate to the hormones. They are normally mild to moderate.

Typical Symptoms

1)     Upset stomach

2)     Nausea

3)     Vomiting

4)     Breast sensitivity

5)     Bleeding between cycles or spotting

6)     Headaches

Contact your healthcare practitioner to determine if another oral contraceptive would work better for you if these symptoms don't go away in a few weeks or have a negative impact on your quality of life.

Very Bad Symptoms

1)     Bloating

2)     Retention of fluid

3)     Skin that has dark spots (melasma)

4)     decreased libido

5)     elevated blood sugar (typically in people with diabetes)

6)     increased triglycerides and cholesterol

7)     Depression (usually in persons with a history of depression) (typically in those with a history of depression)

Keep in touch with your doctor and let them know if you notice any of these symptoms or signs.

Depression, high blood sugar levels, and any fluid retention that is severe enough to result in breathlessness can all pose a life-threatening threat.

Interactions and Warnings

Yaz with some drugs together may cause hyperkalemia or abnormally high potassium levels. Vomiting, heart palpitations, chest aches, and respiratory difficulties are all signs of hyperkalemia.

If you frequently take any of the following medicines, healthcare professionals will need to carefully check potassium levels for at least the first month of treatment to prevent this:

1)     Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) (NSAIDs)

2)     Potassium-saving diuretics like Midamor and Aldactone (spironolactone) (amiloride)

3)     ACE inhibitors like Zestril, Vasotec, and Capoten (captopril) (lisinopril)

4)     Avapro, Cozaar (losartan), and Diovan (valsartan) are examples of angiotensin receptor blockers (irbesartan)

5)     supplements with potassium

6)     Heparin

When to Consult a Medical Professional?

If you experience any of the following symptoms, you should contact your healthcare provider right once due to the danger of blood clots, heart attacks, and strokes:

1)     Shortness of breath, sudden intense or crushing chest discomfort, or blood cough

2)     Nausea, vomiting, dizziness, or a rapid, irregular heartbeat

3)     Sudden, severe, or worsening headache, fuzziness, altered eyesight, numbness, or difficulty walking

4)     Leg ache or tenderness that gets worse when you walk and may be red, heated or both

Many prescription drugs may interact negatively or positively with Yaz. Always inform your doctor or pharmacist that you are taking Yaz so they can determine whether you also need to take another medicine or an additional birth control method like condoms or spermicide.

Additionally, the effectiveness of Yaz may be affected by these non-prescription products:

1)     Grapefruit juice

2)     The natural treatment of John's wort

3)     Antacids (which should be taken two hours before or after Yaz)