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Important Safety Information about YAZ Prescribing Information, including Boxed WARNING
YAZ is associated with increased risks of several serious side effects, including blood clots, stroke, and heart attack. Women, especially those 35 and over, are strongly advised not to smoke because it increases these risks. In addition, YAZ contains drospirenone, a different kind of hormone that for some may increase potassium too much. continue reading below
YAZ is associated with increased risks of several serious side effects, including blood clots, stroke, and heart attack. Women, especially those 35 and over, are strongly advised not to smoke because it increases these risks. In addition, YAZ contains drospirenone, a different kind of hormone that for some may increase potassium too much. continue reading below
Understanding your menstrual cycle
Your menstrual cycle is based on a delicate balance of 2 hormones, estrogen and progesterone. The levels of these hormones change as your cycle progresses.
A typical cycle is 28 days. Of course, every woman's cycle is different. Some women's cycles are as short as 23 days; others are as long as 35 days.
Regardless of the timing, the basic sequence of events is the same:
Day 1: Your period
The first day of your period is considered Day 1 of your cycle. At this time, estrogen and progesterone, the 2 main reproductive hormones, are at low levels.
Day 5: One egg is selected
Inside the ovary, each egg is surrounded by a layer of cells called a follicle. As an individual egg develops, the follicle releases increasing amounts of estrogen.
Days 6-14: Preparing for ovulation
Toward the end of this stage, estrogen levels drop slightly while levels of hormones known as androgens rise. Levels of progesterone and androgens, such as testosterone, start out flat and then increase.
About androgens
Men and women both have hormones known as androgens in their bodies. The main androgen is called testosterone.
Androgen helps maintain muscle, bone mass, and a healthy sex drive. It also helps regulate a woman's menstrual cycle. Since women need a much smaller amount of testosterone, they tend to have very low levels of androgens.
Around Day 14: Ovulation
The follicle surrounding the egg breaks open and the ovaries releases the egg into the fallopian tube so it can be fertilized by sperm. The follicle stays behind in the ovary.
Days 15-28: After ovulation
If the egg that was released is not fertilized, estrogen and progesterone levels drop and the lining of the uterus gets ready to be shed. Your next period begins and the cycle starts again.
Important Safety Information About YAZ®
What is YAZ Prescribed For? YAZ® (drospirenone & ethinyl estradiol) is indicated for:
- The prevention of pregnancy in women who elect to use an oral contraceptive.
- Treatment of the emotional and physical symptoms of premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) in women who choose to use an oral contraceptive as their method of contraception.
- The effectiveness of YAZ for PMDD when used for more than 3 menstrual cycles has not been evaluated. YAZ has not been evaluated for the treatment of premenstrual syndrome (PMS).
- Treatment of moderate acne vulgaris
- In women at least 14 years of age, who have no known contraindications to oral contraceptive therapy and have achieved menarche. YAZ should be used for the treatment of moderate acne only if the patient desires an oral contraceptive for birth control.
Who Shouldn't Take Any Oral Contraceptives (OCs)? Some women should not use OCs, including women who have blood clots, certain cancers, a history of heart attack or stroke, as well as those who are or may be pregnant.
In Addition, Who Shouldn't Take YAZ? YAZ contains drsp®, a different kind of hormone that for some may increase potassium too much. Therefore, you should not take YAZ if you have kidney, liver, or adrenal disease because this could cause serious heart and health problems. Tell your doctor if you are on daily long-term treatment for a chronic condition such as cardiovascular disease or chronic inflammatory disease. Women who take certain drugs (see below) should have their potassium levels checked in the first month of taking YAZ.
What Drugs May Increase Potassium? NSAIDs-ibuprofen (Motrin®, Advil®), naproxen (Naprosyn®, Aleve®, and others) when taken long-term and daily for arthritis or other diseases or conditions, Potassium-sparing diuretics (spironolactone and others), Potassium supplementation, ACE inhibitors (Capoten®, Vasotec®, Zestril®, and others), angiotensin-II receptor antagonists (Cozaar®, Diovan®, Avapro®, and others), aldosterone antagonists, and heparin.
What Are The Risks Involved With Taking Any Oral Contraceptive (OC)? OCs can be associated with an increased risk of several serious cardiovascular side effects, including blood clots, stroke, and heart attack. Women, especially those 35 and over, are strongly advised not to smoke because it increases these risks. OCs do not protect against HIV infection or other STDs.
The most frequent (greater than 1%) side effects, which may or may not be related to YAZ, that were reported in all YAZ clinical trials included: upper respiratory infection, headache, breast pain, vaginal moniliasis, nausea, abdominal pain, dysmenorrhea, urinary tract infection, accidental injury, sinusitis, emotional lability, suspicious Papanicolaou smear, weight gain, depression, menstrual disorder, and asthenia.
The most frequent (greater than 1%) side effects, which may or may not be related to YAZ, that were either unique to each trial type or occurred in only two types of clinical trials included:
- In the contraception trial: leukorrhea, diarrhea, vomiting, vaginitis, flu syndrome, moniliasis, allergic reaction, cystitis, tooth disorder, sore throat, infection, fever, surgery, back pain, migraine, dyspepsia, rhinitis, acne, gastroenteritis, bronchitis, pharyngitis, skin disorder, intermenstrual bleeding, decreased libido, pain, increased cough, dizziness, pain in extremity, and pelvic pain.
- In the PMDD trials: intermenstrual bleeding, decreased libido, nervousness, menorrhagia, pain in extremity, migraine, vaginitis, hyperlipidemia, back pain, diarrhea, increased appetite, enlarged abdomen, and acne.
- In the acne trials: metrorrhagia, flu syndrome, menorrhagia, gastroenteritis, tooth disorder, infection, vomiting, pharyngitis, sore throat, arthralgia, bronchitis, rhinitis, amenorrhea, and urine abnormality.
You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch, or call 1-800-FDA-1088.
For Important risk and use information, please see the full prescribing information.
BAYER®, the Bayer Cross®, YAZ®, Aleve®, drsp®, Beyond Birth Control and YAZXpress are trademarks of Bayer. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
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