Uses

Yaz (Drosperinone, Ethinyl Estradiol) contains an estrogen hormone, and a progestin hormone which work to suppress the body’s release hormones which cause pregnancy. It is used for hormone conditions and contraception.

How to Use

Take this medication by mouth with water, it can be taken with or without food.

If nausea occurs, you can take it with food or milk to decrease this effect.

Take it at the same time every day.

Take it exactly as directed, do not take it more than directed.

If you miss a dose, use the medication guide dispensed with the medication for directions on what to do. If you miss multiple doses, the medication may loose its effectiveness and use of a second accompanying form of birth control is recommended.

If you miss one active dose, take is as soon as you remember. If it is already the next day(the day of the upcoming dose), you may take two pills at once for that day only.

If you miss two active pills during week one or two, take two doses on the day you realize you forgot to take them, and also take two pills on the following day. Use a back up form of contraception such as condoms for the following 7 days.

If you miss two active pills during weeks three or four: If you are a day one starter, discard the current pack that you are taking and open and begin taking a new pack on that day. Use a back up form of contraception such as condoms for 7 days. If you are a sunday starter, continue taking the pills form the current pack until sunday, then discard that pack and begin taking a new pack. Use a back up form of contraception such as condoms for 7 days.

Important Information

This product will not produce effective contraception until after 7 days of administration. Use back up contraception forms such as condoms.

If you miss 2 or more active pills in a row,  this product will not produce effective contraception until 7 days after getting back on the right schedule. Use back up contraception methods such as condoms.

Be sure to read the medication package insert that comes with each new prescription and prescription refill.

If you start using this product later than the first day of menstruation this product may not produce effective contraception and a back up method such as condoms should be used.

Be sure that your prescribing doctor is aware if you have any of the the following conditions before taking this medication

Abnormal vaginal bleeding, adrenal gland disease, strokes, migraines, liver disease, kidney disease, high potassium, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, heart disease, history of heart attacks, gallbladder disease, diabetes, cancer of the breast, cervix, endometrial, ovaries, liver, or uterus, systemic lupus erythematosus, tobacco smoker, history of allergic reactions, pregnancy, breastfeeding, trying to become pregnant.

Side effects that should be immediately reported to your healthcare provider

Allergic reactions(hives, itching, rashes, swelling of the face or mouth), trouble breathing, changes in breast tissue or discharge, changes in vision, chest pain, confusion, trouble speaking, trouble understanding, darkened urine, flu like symptoms, nausea, vomiting, swelling, pain or warmth of the legs, right upper belly pain, severe headaches, numbness or tingling of the legs, arm, or face, trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination, unusual bleeding of the vagina, yellowing of the skin or eyes,

Other Side Effect

Acne, brown spots on the skin of the face, changes in sexual desire, change in appetite, depression, mood swings, fluid retention and swelling, stomach cramps, bloating, fatigue, weight gain.

Adult Dose

Contraception

Yasmin Monophasic Formulation: 1 active tablet (3mg of drospirenone and 30 mcg of ethinyl estradiol) by mouth daily for 21 days followed by 1 inactive tablet by mouth once daily for 7 days, this cycle is repeated.

Yaz Monophasic Formulation: 1 active tablet (3mg of drospirenone and 20 mcg of ethinyl estradiol) by mouth once daily for 24 days followed by 1 inactive tablet by mouth daily for 4 days. This cycle is repeated.

Acne

Yaz Monophasic Formulation: 1 active tablet (3mg of drospirenone and 20 mcg of ethinyl estradiol) by mouth once daily for 24 days followed by 1 inactive tablet by mouth daily for 4 days. This cycle is repeated.

Sources

1. Yasmin® oral tablets, drospirenone and ethinyl estradiol oral tablets[package insert]. Wayne, NJ: Bayer HealthCare Pharmaceuticals; 2010.

2. Yaz (R) oral tablets, drospirenone, ethinyl estradiol oral tablets[package insert]. Wayne, NJ: Bayer HealthCare Pharmaceuticals; 2011.