Yaz (Drospirenone/Ethinylestradiol)

About Yaz (Drospirenone/Ethinylestradiol)

Yaz (Drospirenone/Ethinylestradiol) is a prescription “combined birth control pill,” meaning it contains both an estrogen (ethinyl estradiol) and a progestin (drospirenone).

People often look it up as “Yaz birth control,” “drospirenone ethinyl estradiol tablets,” or “24/4 birth control pill” because its pack is set up a little differently than the older 21/7 style.

What Yaz is used for

The main reason Yaz is prescribed is pregnancy prevention. When taken as directed, combined oral contraceptives work by suppressing ovulation, thickening cervical mucus, and changing the uterine lining. Those effects make pregnancy much less likely.

Yaz is also prescribed for certain other reasons in people who want oral contraception.

• PMDD (premenstrual dysphoric disorder), a severe form of premenstrual mood symptoms
• Moderate acne, when contraception is also desired

How the Yaz pack is laid out

• 24 active tablets (contain hormones)
• 4 inactive tablets (do not contain hormones)

You still take a pill every day during the inactive tablets. Many people like this setup because it reduces the “gap” without hormones, which can help some users with cycle-related symptoms.

Bleeding can look different from person to person, especially in the first few packs. Spotting and breakthrough bleeding are common early on and often settle down, but not always.

What people commonly notice after starting

Side effects can show up in the first weeks or months, even if you take the pill perfectly.

Commonly reported effects include:

• Nausea
• Headache
• Breast tenderness
• Bloating
• Mood changes
• Breakthrough bleeding

Important safety points

• Blood clot risk (serious): Combined hormonal contraceptives, including Yaz, can increase the risk of blood clots. The risk is higher in some people, including those who smoke cigarettes and are over age 35.
• Get urgent medical care if you notice clot warning signs:
• • Chest pain
  • Shortness of breath
  • Coughing blood
  • Sudden one-sided leg swelling or pain
  • Sudden severe headache with neurologic symptoms
• Potassium levels can rise in some people; drospirenone may raise them. This matters more if you have kidney, liver, or adrenal problems, or if you take medications that can raise potassium. In some situations, a clinician may monitor labs.
• Not appropriate for everyone: Tell your prescriber if you have (or have had) any of the following:
• • Blood clots
  • Stroke
  • Certain heart conditions
  • Uncontrolled high blood pressure
  • Migraine with aura
  • Liver tumors or serious liver disease
  • Hormone-sensitive cancers

Medication and supplement interactions

• Reduced effectiveness is possible: Some medications and supplements can reduce the effectiveness of hormonal birth control by altering hormone metabolism.
• Examples often discussed:
• • Certain anti-seizure medicines
  • Rifampin-like antibiotics
  • St. John’s wort
• Practical tip: If you start a new prescription, over-the-counter medicine, or supplement, ask whether it interacts with oral contraceptives to help avoid unexpected breakthrough bleeding or reduced contraceptive reliability.

Available strength

• drospirenone 3 mg / ethinyl estradiol 0.02 mg (usually in a 28-day pack with 24 active tablets and 4 inactive tablets)

• Crisanta LS (Ethinylestradiol/Drospirenone)
• Femovan (Ethinyl Estradiol/Gestodene)
• Ovral L Tablet (Ethinyl Estradiol/Levonorgestrel)
• Progynova 1 mg (Estradiol)
• Progynova 2 mg (Estradiol)
• drospirenone 3 mg / ethinyl estradiol 0.03 mg
• drospirenone 3 mg / ethinyl estradiol 0.02 mg with added folate in some formulations

FAQs About Yaz Contraception Tablets

1. Is there a generic version?

2. How should I store it?

3. Can I take Yaz with food?

4. Should I stop Yaz before surgery or long immobilization?

5. Will Yaz show up on drug tests?