Common use
Yaz tablets contain a combination of progesterone (drospirenone) and estrogen (ethinyl estradiol). Yaz is used as contraception to prevent pregnancy. It is also used to treat moderate acne in women who are at least 14 years old and have started having menstrual periods, and who wish to use birth control pills.
Yaz is also used to treat the symptoms of premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD), such as anxiety, depression, irritability, trouble concentrating, lack of energy, sleep or appetite changes, breast tenderness, joint or muscle pain, headache, and weight gain.
Dosage and direction
Take Yaz exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Take your first pill on the first day of your period or on the first Sunday after your period begins. You may need to use back-up birth control, such as condoms with spermicide, when you first start using this medication.
Take one pill every day, no more than 24 hours apart. When the pills run out, start a new pack the following day. You could get pregnant if you do not take one pill daily.
Precautions
To make sure Yaz is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have ever had: heart problems, high blood pressure, or if you are prone to having blood clots; high levels of potassium in your blood; high cholesterol or triglycerides; depression; liver or kidney disease; thyroid disease; diabetes; gallbladder disease; migraine headaches; lupus; cancer; or inflammatory bowel disease (such as Crohn’s or ulcerative colitis).
Contraindications
Do not use if you are pregnant. Stop using Yaz and tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant, or if you miss 2 menstrual periods in a row. If you have recently had a baby, wait at least 4 weeks before taking this medicine.
You should not take Yaz if you have: a history of a blood clot; an increased risk of having blood clots due to a heart problem or a hereditary blood disorder; heart disease (coronary artery disease, history of heart attack, stroke, or blood clot); migraine headaches associated with aura, numbness, weakness, or vision changes; untreated or uncontrolled high blood pressure; circulation problems (especially if caused by diabetes); very high cholesterol or triglycerides (fat in your blood); current or previous pancreatitis caused by high triglycerides; severe liver disease, liver cancer, or benign liver tumors; a history of jaundice (yellowing of the eyes or skin) caused by pregnancy or birth control pills; severe kidney disease or kidney failure; a history of hormone-related cancer, or cancer of the breast, uterus/cervix, or vagina; unusual vaginal bleeding that has not been checked by a doctor.
In addition, you should not take Yaz if you are having (or have recently had) major surgery that requires you to be on bedrest.
The hormones in Yaz can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. Yaz may also slow breast milk production. Do not use if you are breast feeding.
Possible side effect
Common Yaz side effects may include: nausea, vomiting; breast tenderness; headache, mood changes, feeling tired or irritable; weight gain; skin darkening or pigmentation changes; changes in your menstrual periods or decreased sex drive.
Drug interaction
Tell your doctor about all medicines you use, and those you start or stop using during your treatment with Yaz, especially: medications for hepatitis C, containing ombitasvir, paritaprevir, ritonavir, or dasabuvir; seizure medications (including phenytoin, phenobarbital, carbamazepine, topiramate, oxcarbazepine, primidone, felbamate, and others); rifampicin; antifungal medications including griseofulvin, ketoconazole, itraconzaole, voriconazole, fluconazole, others); antibiotics (including tetracycline, minocycline, ampicillin, others); blood pressure medications (including lisinopril, captopril, enalapril, valsartan, losartan, others); diuretics or water pills including spironolactone (Aldactone); blood thinners such as heparin or enoxaparin (Lovenox); potassium supplements; chronic use of NSAID pain medications (like acetaminophen, ibuprofen, naproxen, others); or St. John’s wort.
Missed dose
Follow the patient instructions provided in your Yaz packet. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you do not understand these instructions. Missing a pill increases your risk of becoming pregnant. If you miss 1 active pill: Take it as soon as you remember. If you do not remember until the next day, take 2 pills at once. Use back-up birth control (such as condoms) for 7 days.
If you miss 2 active pills in a row: During weeks 1-2, take 2 pills on the day you remember and 2 pills the next day. Then take 1 pill daily until the pack is finished. Use back-up birth control (such as condoms) for 7 days. During weeks 3-4, throw out the rest of the pack and start a new pack of pills the same day. Use back-up birth control (such as condoms) for 7 days.
Overdose
Seek emergency medical attention. Overdose may cause nausea or vaginal bleeding.
Storage
Store Yaz at room temperature away from moisture and heat. Keep away from children.
