Bayer HealthCare Pharmaceuticals Inc. is not responsible for the content presented by any independent website, including any advertising claims, special offers, illustrations, names or endorsements.
Thank you for visiting www.yaz-us.com.
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
How to use YAZ
Congratulations! You're ready to start taking YAZ® (drospirenone & ethinyl estradiol).
Your first step is to learn how to use YAZ, as it was prescribed by your healthcare provider. This will also ensure you get the maximum contraceptive effectiveness from your birth control.
1.
Set a time to take your pill.
It is important to take YAZ at the same time every day. YAZ can be taken with or without food.
2.
Understand the pill colors
The YAZ pill pack has 28 pills. There are 24 pink "active" pills (with hormones) to be taken for 24 days, followed by 4 white "reminder" pills (without hormones) to be taken for 4 days.
3.
Know your pill pack
Take a look at your pill pack, so that you understand how to use it. You need to know:
- Where on the pack to start taking pills
- In what order to take the pills (follow the arrows)
4.
Have another kind of birth control ready at all times:
It's a good idea to have condoms or spermicides available to use as a backup in case you miss a pill.
When to start your first pack of pills
You can choose which day to start taking your first pack of pills. Decide with your healthcare provider which is the best day for you to start on. Pick a time of day that will be easy to remember.
For a "Day 1" start
1.
Take the first light pink "active" pill of the first pack during the first 24 hours of your period.
2.
You will not need to use a back-up method of birth control, since you are starting the pill at the beginning of your period.
For a Sunday start
1.
Take the first pink "active" pill of the first pack on the Sunday after your period starts, even if you are still bleeding. If your period begins on Sunday, start the pack that same day.
2.
Use another method of birth control (such as condoms or spermicides) as a back-up method if you have sex anytime from the Sunday you start your first pack until the next Sunday (7 days).
When you switch from a different birth control pill
When switching from another birth control pill, YAZ should be started on the same day that a new pack of the previous birth control pills would have been started.
New to the Pill? It's easy to get started
1.
Take one pill at the same time every day until the pack is empty:
- Do not skip pills even if you are spotting or bleeding between monthly periods or feel sick to your stomach (nausea)
- Do not skip pills even if you do not have sex very often
2.
When you finish a pack of pills:
- Start the next pack on the day after your last white "reminder" pill
- Do not wait any days between packs
Reminders to:
- Take YAZ daily
- Get your prescription refilled
- Make healthcare provider appointments
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.
Tell a Friend | Glossary | FAQs | Contact Us | Physician Prescribing Info | Patient Prescribing Info | Safety Info | Site Map
Terms of Use | Privacy Policy
Terms of Use | Privacy Policy
