Yaz – Ethinylestradiol/drospirenone uses, dose and side effects

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0.02 mg/3 mg film-coated tablets
ethinylestradiol/drospirenone

What Yaz is and what it is used for

  • Yaz is a birth control pill and is used to prevent pregnancy.
  • Each of the 24 light pink film-coated tablets contains a small amount of two different female hormones, drospirenone, and ethinylestradiol.
  • The 4 white film-coated tablets contain no active substances and are also called placebo tablets.
  • Birth control pills that contain two hormones are called combination birth control pills.

What you need to know before taking Yaz

Do not use Yaz

General notes before you start using Yaz, read the information about blood clots in section 2. You must read the symptoms of blood clots – see section 2, “Blood clots”).
Before you can start taking Yaz, the midwife/doctor will ask you some questions about your medical history and that of your close relatives. The midwife/doctor will also measure your blood pressure and it is possible that, depending on your situation, the midwife/doctor will also take other samples.
This leaflet describes several situations when you must stop taking Yaz or when Yaz’s reliability may be reduced. In such situations, you should either refrain from intercourse or use other non-hormonal contraceptives, e.g. condoms or any other barrier method. Do not use the rhythm method (safe periods) or the temperature method. These methods can be unreliable, as Yaz affects the monthly changes in body temperature and cervical secretions.
Yaz, like other hormonal contraceptives, does not protect against HIV infection ( AIDS ) or other sexually transmitted diseases.

Do not use Yaz if you have any of the conditions listed below. If you have any of these conditions, you must tell the doctor. The doctor will discuss what other type of contraception might be more appropriate.

Do not use Yaz

  • if you have (or have had) a blood clot in a blood vessel in the legs (deep vein thrombosis, DVT), in the lungs ( pulmonary embolism ), or in any other organ
  • if you know you have a disease that affects blood clotting — for example,  protein C deficiency, protein S deficiency, antithrombin III deficiency, Factor V Leiden, or antiphospholipid antibodies
  • if you need to undergo an operation or if you will be bedridden for a long period (see the section “Blood clots”)
  • if you have ( or have had) a heart attack or a stroke
  • if you have (or have had) angina (a condition that causes severe chest pain and can be the first sign of a heart attack) or transient ischemic attack ( TIA – transient stroke symptoms)
  • if you have any of the following diseases that can increase the risk of a blood clot in the arteries:
    • severe diabetes with damaged blood vessels
    • very high blood pressure
    • a very high level of fat in the blood ( cholesterol or triglycerides )
    • a condition called hyperhomocysteinemia
  • if you have (or have had) a type of migraine called “migraine with aura”
  • if you have (or have had) liver disease and your liver function is not yet normal
  • if your kidneys are not working properly ( kidney failure )
  • if you have (or have had) a tumor in the liver
  • if you have (or have had) or if you are suspected of having breast or genital cancer
  • if you have unexplained vaginal bleeding
  • if you are allergic to ethinylestradiol or drospirenone or any of the other ingredients of this medicine (listed in section 6). This can cause itching, rash, or swelling.

Do not use Yaz if you have hepatitis C and are being treated with medicines containing ombitasvir/paritaprevir/ritonavir and dasabuvir or glecaprevir/pibrentasvir

(see also section “Other medicines and Yaz”).

Additional information on special patient groups

Children and young people

Yaz is not intended for use by women who have not yet had their period.

Older women

Yaz is not intended for use after menopause.

Women with impaired liver function

Do not use Yaz if you have liver problems. See also the sections “Do not use Yaz” and “Warnings and precautions”.

Women with impaired renal function

Do not use Yaz if you have kidney problems or acute kidney failure. See also the sections “Do not use Yaz” and “Warnings and precautions”.

Warnings and precautions

When should you contact a doctor?
Seek medical attention immediatelyif you notice possible signs of a blood clot which could mean you have a blood clot in the leg (ie deep vein thrombosis ), a blood clot in the lung (ie pulmonary embolism ), a heart attack or a stroke (see section ‘Blood clots’ below). For a description of the symptoms of these serious side effects, go to “How to recognize a blood clot”.

Tell your doctor if any of the following conditions apply to you.

In some situations, you need to be extra careful when using Yaz or other combined oral contraceptives, and it may be necessary for you to be checked regularly by your midwife/doctor. If the condition occurs or worsens while using Yaz, you should also contact a doctor.

  • if a close relative has or has had breast cancer
  • if you have any liver or biliary disease
  • if you have diabetes
  • if you suffer from depression
  • if you have Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis ( chronic inflammatory bowel disease)
  • if you have systemic lupus erythematosus ( SLE — a disease that affects your natural immune system)
  • if you have hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS — a disorder of blood clotting that leads to kidney failure )
  • if you have sickle cell anemia (an inherited disorder of the red blood cells )
  • if you have increased blood fats ( hypertriglyceridemia ) or a genetic predisposition to this condition. Hypertriglyceridemia has been associated with an increased risk of developing pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas)
  • if you need to undergo an operation or will be bedridden for a longer period (see section 2 “Blood clots”)
  • if you have recently given birth, you are at increased risk of blood clots. Ask the doctor how soon after delivery you can start using Yaz
  • if you have an inflammation of the veins under the skin (superficial thrombophlebitis )
  • if you have varicose veins
  • if you have epilepsy (see section “Other medicines and Yaz”)
  • if you have a disease that first appeared during pregnancy or during previous use of sex hormones (e.g. hearing loss, a blood disorder called porphyria, skin rash with blisters during pregnancy (herpes of pregnancy), a nerve disorder that causes sudden twitching of the body (Sydenham’s chorea )
  • if you have or have had golden-brown pigment spots (chloasma), so-called “pregnancy spots”, especially on the face. In this case, avoid direct exposure to sunlight or ultraviolet light
  • if you have hereditary angioedema, products containing estrogen may induce or worsen symptoms. You should see a doctor immediately if you experience symptoms of angioedema, such as swelling of the face, tongue, and/or throat and/or difficulty swallowing or hives with difficulty breathing.

Talk to your doctor or midwife before taking Yaz.

Blood clots

If you use combined hormonal contraceptives such as Yaz, the risk of blood clots increases compared to not using these preparations. In rare cases, a blood clot can block blood vessels and cause serious problems.

Blood clots can form

  • in veins (called venous thrombosis, venous thromboembolism, or VTE)
  • in arteries (called arterial thrombosis, arterial thromboembolism, or ATE).

It is not always possible to fully recover from blood clots. In rare cases, they can have serious lingering effects and, in very rare cases, be fatal.

It is important to remember that the overall risk of a dangerous blood clot due to Yaz is small.

THIS IS HOW YOU RECOGNIZE A BLOOD CLOT

Seek medical attention immediately if you notice any of the following signs or symptoms.0.02 mg/3 mg film-coated tablets
ethinylestradiol/drospirenon

Are you experiencing any of these signs?What could you possibly be suffering from?
swelling of a leg or along a vein in the leg or foot, especially if you also get: pain or tenderness in the leg that is felt only when standing or walking increased heat in the affected leg discoloration of the skin on the leg, e.g. pale, red or blueDeep vein thrombosis
sudden unexplained shortness of breath or rapid breathing sudden coughing for no apparent reason which could lead to you coughing up blood severe chest pain that may increase with deep breath severe unsteadiness or dizziness fast or irregular heartbeat severe pain in the stomach if you are not sure, consult a doctor because some of these symptoms, e.g. cough and shortness of breath, can be mistaken for a milder condition such as a respiratory infection (e.g. a common cold).Pulmonary embolism
Symptoms that usually occur in one eye: immediate vision loss or blurred vision without pain that can lead to vision lossRetinal vein thrombosis (blood clot in the eye)
chest pain, discomfort, pressure, heavinesspressure or feeling fullness in the chest, arm, or below the sternum feeling of fullness, indigestion or feeling of suffocationdiscomfort in the upper body that radiates to the back, jaw, neck, arm, and stomach sweating, nausea, vomiting or dizziness extreme weakness, anxiety, or shortness of breakfast or irregular heartbeatsMyocardial infarction
sudden weakness or numbness in the face, arms, or legs, especially on one side of the body sudden confusion, difficulty speaking or understanding sudden vision problems in one or both eyes sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination sudden, severe or prolonged headache with no known cause unconsciousness or fainting with or without seizures sometimes the symptoms of a stroke can be short-lived with almost immediate or complete recovery, but you should still seek medical attention immediately because you are at risk of another stroke.Stroke
swelling and slight blue discoloration of an arm or leg severe pain in the stomach ( acute abdomen)Blood clots that block other blood vessels

BLOOD CLOTS IN A VEIN

What can happen if a blood clot forms in a vein?

  • The use of combined hormonal contraceptives has been associated with an increase in the risk of blood clots in the vein (venous thrombosis ). However, these side effects are rare. They most often occur during the first year of using a combined hormonal contraceptive.
  • If a blood clot forms in a vein in the leg or foot, it can lead to deep vein thrombosis (DVT).
  • If a blood clot dislodges from the leg and lodges in the lung, it can lead to a pulmonary embolism.
  • In very rare cases, a blood clot can form in a vein in another organ such as the eye ( retinal vein thrombosis ).

When is the risk of developing a blood clot in a vein the greatest?

The risk of developing a blood clot in a vein is greatest during the first year that you first use combined hormonal contraceptives. The risk may also be higher if you start again with a combined hormonal contraceptive (the same product or a different product) after a break of 4 weeks or longer.

After the first year, the risk decreases, but it is always slightly higher than if you did not use a combined hormonal contraceptive.

When you stop using Yaz, the risk of a blood clot returns to normal within a few weeks.

How big is the risk of developing a blood clot?

The risk depends on your natural risk of VTE and the type of combined hormonal contraceptive you are taking.

The overall risk of a blood clot in the leg or lungs with Yaz is small.

  • Out of 10,000 women who are not using a combined hormonal contraceptive and are not pregnant, about 2 develop a blood clot within a year.
  • Out of 10,000 women using a combined hormonal contraceptive containing levonorgestrel or norethisterone or norgestimate, around 5-7 develop a blood clot within a year.
  • Out of 10,000 women using a combined hormonal contraceptive containing drospirenone such as Yaz, about 9-12 develop a blood clot within a year.
  • The risk of blood clots varies depending on your medical history (see “Factors that can increase the risk of a blood clot” below).
Risk of developing a blood clot over a year
Women who do not use combined hormonal contraceptives and who are not pregnantAbout 2 in 10,000 women
Women using a combined hormonal contraceptive containing levonorgestrel, norethisterone, or norgestimateAbout 5-7 in 10,000 women
Women using YazAbout 9–12 out of 10,000 women

Factors that can increase the risk of a blood clot in a vein

The risk of a blood clot with Yaz is small, but certain conditions increase the risk. The risk is higher:

  • if you are overweight (body mass index or BMI over 30 kg/m 2 )
  • if someone in your family has had a blood clot in the bones, lungs, or another organ at a young age (e.g. under the age of about 50). In this case, you may have an inherited blood clotting disorder
  • if you need to undergo an operation, or are bedridden for an extended period due to injury or illness, or if your leg is cast. The use of Yaz may need to be stopped for several weeks before surgery or while you are less mobile. If you have to stop taking Yaz, ask your doctor when you can start taking it again
  • with increasing age (especially if you are over about 35)
  • if you have given birth a few weeks ago

The risk of developing a blood clot increases the more conditions you have.

Air travel (over 4 hours) may temporarily increase the risk of a blood clot, especially if you have any of the other factors listed here.

You must tell the doctor if any of these conditions apply to you, even if you are not sure. The doctor may decide that you need to stop taking Yaz.

If any of the above conditions change while using Yaz, e.g. a close relative suffers from a blood clot of unknown cause, or you gain a lot of weight, talk to your doctor.

BLOOD CLOTS IN AN ARTERY

What can happen if a blood clot forms in an artery?

Just like a blood clot in a vein, a clot in an artery can lead to serious problems. It can e.g. cause a heart attack or stroke.

Factors that can increase the risk of a blood clot in an artery

You must know that the risk of a heart attack or stroke as a result of using Yaz is very small but may increase:

  • with increasing age (after about age 35)
  • if you smoke. When using combined hormonal contraceptives such as Yaz, you should stop smoking. If you cannot stop smoking and are over 35, your doctor may advise you to use another form of contraception
  • if you are overweight
  • if you have high blood pressure
  • if a close relative has had a heart attack or a stroke at a young age (younger than 50 years). In this case, you may also be at greater risk of a heart attack or a stroke
  • if you or a close relative have high blood fats ( cholesterol or triglycerides )
  • if you get migraines, especially migraines with an aura
  • if you have problems with your heart (valvular disease, a heart rhythm disorder called atrial fibrillation )
  • if you have diabetes.

If you have more than one of these conditions or if any of them are particularly severe, your risk of developing a blood clot may be even greater.

If any of the above conditions change while using Yaz, e.g. if you start smoking, a close relative has a thrombosis of unknown cause, or you gain a lot of weight, talk to your doctor.

Yaz and cancer

Breast cancer has been observed slightly more frequently in women using combined oral contraceptives, but it is not known whether this is caused by the treatment. For example, it may be that more tumors are detected in women who use combined oral contraceptives because they are examined by doctors more often. The incidence of breast tumors gradually decreases after the end of treatment with combined hormonal contraceptives. You must regularly examine your breasts, and you should contact your doctor if you feel a lump.

In rare cases, benign liver tumors, and in even fewer cases malignant liver tumors, have been reported in oral contraceptive users. Contact your doctor if you experience unusually severe abdominal pain.

Mental disorders 

Some women using hormonal contraceptives, including Yaz, have reported depression or low mood. Depression can be severe and sometimes lead to suicidal thoughts. If you experience mood changes and symptoms of depression, you should contact a doctor for advice as soon as possible.

Interstitial bleeding

During the first few months of using Yaz, you may have unexpected bleeding (bleeding outside the placebo days). If this type of bleeding lasts longer than a few months, or if it occurs after a few months, your midwife/doctor should investigate the cause.

What to do if you do not bleed during the placebo days

If you have taken all the light pink active tablets correctly, have not had vomiting or severe diarrhea and if have not taken any other medicines, it is very unlikely that you are pregnant.

If the expected bleeding does not occur twice in a row, you may be pregnant. Contact your doctor immediately. Only start on the next tablet chart if you are sure you are not pregnant.

Other drugs and Yaz

Always tell your doctor what medicines or herbal remedies you are already using. Also, tell other doctors or dentists who prescribe other medicines (or pharmacists) that you are using Yaz. They can tell you if you need to use additional contraceptive protection (eg condoms), and if so for how long, or if the use of another medicine you need needs to be changed.

Certain medicines

  • may affect the level of Yaz in the blood
  • may make it less effective at preventing pregnancy
  • may cause unexpected bleeding.

This applies, among other things

  • drugs used for the treatment of
    • epilepsy (eg primidone, phenytoin , barbiturates , carbamazepine, oxcarbazepine)
    • tuberculosis (eg rifampicin)
    • HIV and hepatitis C virus infections (so-called protease inhibitors and non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors such as ritonavir, nevirapine, and efavirenz)
    • fungal infections (eg, griseofulvin, ketoconazole )
    • arthritis, osteoarthritis (etoricoxib)
    • high blood pressure in the blood vessels of the lungs ( bosentan )
  • the natural remedy St. John’s wort

Yaz can affect the effectiveness of other medicines, e.g.

  • medicines containing ciclosporin
  • the anti-epileptic medicine lamotrigine (this may lead to an increase in the number of seizures)
  • theophylline (to treat breathing problems)
  • tizanidine (for the treatment of muscle pain and/or muscle cramps)

Do not use Yaz if you have hepatitis C and are taking medicines containing ombitasvir/paritaprevir/ritonavir and dasabuvir or glecaprevir/pibrentasvir

as it can lead to increased liver values ​​(increase in the liver enzyme transaminase). The doctor will prescribe another contraceptive before starting treatment with this drug combination. Yaz can be started again about 2 weeks after treatment ends. See the section “Do not use Yaz”.

Ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice before taking any medicine.

Yaz with food and drink

Yaz can be taken with or without food, if necessary with a little water.

Laboratory samples

If you need to give a blood test, tell your doctor or the laboratory staff that you are using birth control pills, as hormonal contraceptives can affect the results of some tests.

Pregnancy

If you are pregnant, you should not use Yaz. If you become pregnant while taking Yaz, you must stop immediately and contact your midwife/doctor. If you want to get pregnant, you can stop taking Yaz at any time (see also “If you stop using Yaz”).

Consult a midwife/doctor or pharmacist before taking any medicine.

Breast-feeding

In general, breastfeeding is not recommended while using Yaz. If you want to use birth control pills while breastfeeding, you should contact your doctor.

Consult a midwife/doctor or pharmacist before taking any medicine.

Driving ability and use of machinery

There is no information to suggest that the use of Yaz affects the ability to drive or use machines.

Yaz contains lactose

If you have an intolerance to some sugars, talk to your doctor before taking Yaz.

How to use Yaz

Each blister card contains 24 active light pink film-coated tablets and 4 white film-coated placebo tablets.

Yaz tablets of two different colors are lined up in order. A tablet chart contains 28 tablets.

Take one tablet of Yaz daily, with a small amount of water if necessary. You can take the tablets with or without food, but you should take the tablets at about the same time each day.

Do not mix the tablets: take a light pink tablet for the first 24 days and then a white tablet for the last 4 days. You must then start on a new tablet chart immediately (24 light pink and then 4 white tablets). There is therefore no break between the tablet maps.

Since the tablets have different compositions, it is necessary that you start with the first tablet on the top left and then take one tablet every day. For this to happen in the correct order, you must follow the direction of the arrow on the tablet map.

Preparation for the start of a new tablet map

To help you keep track of the tablets, each Yaz tablet chart comes with 7 sticky notes with the 7 days of the week. Choose the memory strip that starts with the day of the week when you start taking the tablets. An example: If you start on a Wednesday, use the memory strip that starts with “WED.”

Stick the memory strip at the top of the Yaz map where it says “stick the memory strip here”, so that the first day is above the tablet marked “1”.

Now a day of the week is indicated above each tablet and you can see if you have taken the tablet on a certain day. The arrows show the order in which you should take the tablets.

During the 4 days when you take the white placebo tablets (the placebo days), the bleeding should start (so-called withdrawal bleeding). This usually starts on the second or third day after the last pale pink active Yaz tablet. When you have taken the last white tablet, start on the next tablet chart regardless of whether the bleeding has stopped or not. This means that you should start each tablet chart on the same day of the week and that the withdrawal bleeding should occur on the same days of each month.

If you use Yaz in this way, you are protected against pregnancy even during the 4 days when you take a placebo tablet.

When can you start with the first tablet map?

  • If you have not used a hormonal contraceptive in the previous month start Yaz on the first day of your menstrual cycle (ie, the first day of your period). If you start Yaz on the first day of your period, you are immediately protected against pregnancy. You can also start on days 2-5 of the menstrual cycle, but then you must use additional protection methods (eg condoms) for the first 7 days.
  • Changing from a combined hormonal birth control pill or combination preparation in the form of a vaginal ring or birth control patch
    You can advantageously start Yaz the day after the last active tablet (the last tablet containing active substance) of your previous birth control pills, but no later than the day after the tablet-free days of your previous pill have ended (or after the last inactive tablet of your previous pill ). When changing from a combination product in the form of a vaginal ring or a contraceptive patch, follow your doctor’s advice.
  • Changing from a progestagen-only method ( minipill, injection, contraceptive rod, or a progestogen-releasing intrauterine system (hormone coil)) You can change from minipills
    any day (from a contraceptive rod or hormonal coil on the day of its removal, from an injectable contraceptive at the time of the next injection ), but in all these cases you must use additional protection (e.g. a condom) during the first 7 days of tablet intake.
  • After a miscarriage
    Follow your doctor’s advice.
  • After childbirth you can start Yaz between 21 and 28 days after delivery. If you start later than day 28, you must use a so-called barrier method (such as a condom) for the first seven days of using Yaz. If you have had intercourse before starting to use Yaz (again) after giving birth, you must first check that you are not pregnant or wait until your next period.
  • If you are breastfeeding and want to start Yaz (again) after having a baby read the section “Breastfeeding”.

Ask your midwife/doctor what to do if you are not sure when to start.

If you have taken too much Yaz

There are no reports of serious adverse effects from taking too many Yaz tablets.

If you take several tablets at the same time, you may experience nausea, vomiting, or vaginal bleeding. Even girls who have not had their first period, but accidentally used this medicine, can experience this type of bleeding. 

If you have taken too many Yaz tablets or discover that a child has ingested tablets, you should contact a doctor or hospital for risk assessment and advice.

If you forget to take Yaz

The last 4 tablets in row 4 on the tablet chart are placebo tablets. If you forget one of these tablets, it does not affect the reliability of Yaz. Throw away the forgotten placebo tablet.

If you forget a light pink, active tablet (tablets 1-24 on your blister card), you must do the following:

  • If less than 24 hours have passed since the tablet should have been taken, the contraceptive protection is not impaired. Take the tablet as soon as you remember and then take the next tablet at the usual time.
  • If more than 24 hours have passed since the tablet should have been taken, contraceptive protection may be reduced. The more tablets you have forgotten, the greater the risk of pregnancy.

The risk of incomplete protection against pregnancy is greatest if you forget a light pink tablet at the beginning or end of the tablet map. Therefore, you should follow the following rules (see also the diagram):

  • More than one tablet forgotten in the tablet chart
    Contact your midwife/doctor.
  • One tablet forgot between days 1 and 7 (first row)

Take the forgotten tablet as soon as you remember, even if it means you have to take 2 tablets at the same time. Then continue to take the tablets at the usual time and use extra protection for the next 7 days, e.g. condom. If you have had intercourse in the week before you forgot the tablet, you must be aware that there is a risk of pregnancy. In that case, contact your doctor.

  • One tablet forgot between days 8 and 14 (second row)

Take the forgotten tablet as soon as you remember, even if it means you have to take two tablets at the same time. Then continue to take the tablets at the usual time. Protection against pregnancy is not reduced, and you do not need to use extra protection.

  • A tablet forgot between days 15 and 24 (third or fourth row)
    You can choose between two options:
  1. Take the forgotten tablet as soon as you remember, even if it means you have to take two tablets at the same time. Then continue to take the tablets at the usual time. Instead of taking the white placebo tablets on this tablet chart, throw them away and start on the next tablet chart (the start day will be different). You will likely have your period at the end of the second tablet chart – while taking the white placebo tablets – but you may have light or period-like bleeding while using the second tablet chart.
  2. You can also stop taking the active light pink tablets and go straight to the 4 white placebo tablets (before taking the placebo tablets you must note the day you missed your tablet). If you want to start on a new tablet chart on the same day, as usual, take the placebo tablets for fewer than 4 days.

If you follow either of these two recommendations, you are still protected against pregnancy.

  • If you have forgotten a tablet in a tablet chart and you do not have any bleeding during the placebo days, it may mean that you are pregnant. You must then contact your doctor/midwife before starting the next tablet chart.
schedule

If you vomit or have severe diarrhea

If you vomit within 3-4 hours after taking an active light pink tablet, or if you have severe diarrhea, there is a risk that the active substances in the tablet will not be completely absorbed by the body. This situation is almost the same as forgetting a tablet. After vomiting or diarrhea, you must take a new light pink tablet from another tablet chart as soon as possible. If possible, take it within 24 hours of the time you normally take your tablet. If this is not possible or if 24 hours have already passed, you should follow the advice under “If you forget to take Yaz”.

Postponing your period: what you need to know

Although not recommended, you can move your period forward. You can stagger your bleeding by taking only the light pink active tablets (not the white placebo tablets from the fourth row) and then immediately start a new tablet chart with Yaz and finish that entire tablet chart.

You may have light or period-like bleeding while taking the second tablet map. Finish the second tablet map by taking the 4 white tablets in row 4. Then start on the next tablet map.

You can consult your midwife/doctor before deciding to postpone your period.

Changing the first day of your period: what you need to know

If you take the tablets as directed, your period will start during the placebo days. If you have to change this day, you can reduce the number of placebo days – the days you take the white placebo tablets – (but never extend – 4 is the maximum!). For example, if you start taking the placebo tablets on a Friday and you want to change this to a Tuesday (3 days earlier), you must start on a new tablet chart 3 days earlier than usual. You may not have any bleeding during this time. You may then have light or menstrual-like bleeding.

Contact your midwife/doctor for advice if you are not sure what to do.

If you stop using Yaz

You can stop taking Yaz whenever you want. If you do not want to become pregnant, consult your doctor about other reliable methods of contraception. If you want to get pregnant, stop taking Yaz and wait for your period before trying to get pregnant. You will then be able to calculate the expected delivery date.

If you have any further questions about this medicine, ask your midwife/doctor or pharmacist.

Possible side effects

Like all medicines, Yaz can cause side effects, but not everybody gets them. If you experience any side effects, especially if they are severe or persistent, or if your health changes and you think it may be due to Yaz, talk to your doctor.

As with all women taking combined hormonal contraceptives, there is an increased risk of blood clots in your veins (venous thromboembolism, VTE) or blood clots in your arteries ( arterial thrombosis, ATE). More information about the different risks when taking combined hormonal contraceptives can be found in section 2 “What you need to know before taking Yaz”.

Below is a list of side effects that have been linked to the use of Yaz:

Common side effects ( between 1 and 10 in 100 users may be affected):

  • Mood swings
  • Headache
  • Nausea
  • pain in the breasts, problems with menstruation, e.g. irregular periods, missed period

Uncommon side effects ( between 1 and 10 in 1,000 users may be affected):

  • depression, nervousness, sleepiness
  • dizziness, tingling/pins, and needles
  • migraine, varicose veins, high blood pressure
  • stomach pain, vomiting, problems with digestion, flatulence, inflammation of the stomach, diarrhea
  • acne, itching, rash
  • pain and aches, e.g. back pain, pain in arms/legs, muscle cramps
  • vaginal yeast infection, pelvic pain, breast enlargement, benign breast lumps, uterine/vaginal bleeding (which usually stops with continued treatment), genital discharge, hot flashes, inflammation of the vagina ( vaginitis ), menstrual problems, painful periods, decreased menstrual bleeding, very heavy menstrual bleeding, dry vagina, abnormal pap smear (pam smear), decreased sex drive
  • lack of energy, increased sweating, fluid retention
  • weight gain

Rare side effects ( between 1 and 10 in 10,000 users may be affected):

  • candida (fungal infection)
  • anemia, an increased number of platelets in the blood
  • allergic reactions
  • hormonal ( endocrine ) disorders
  • increased appetite, decreased appetite, abnormally high concentration of potassium in the blood, abnormally low concentration of sodium in the blood
  • inability to orgasm, insomnia
  • tremors, feeling dizzy
  • eye problems, e.g. inflammation of the eyelid, dry eyes
  • unusually high heart rate
  • inflammation of a vein, nosebleed, fainting
  • enlarged abdomen, intestinal disorders, feeling of bloating, abdominal hernia, fungal infection of the mouth, constipation, dry mouth
  • pain in the bile ducts or gallbladder, inflammation of the gallbladder
  • yellow-brown spots on the skin, eczema, hair loss, acne-like skin inflammation, dry skin, nodular inflammation of the skin, increased hair growth, skin problems, stretch marks, skin inflammation, photosensitive skin inflammation, skin tumors
  • difficulty or pain during intercourse, inflammation of the vagina (vulvovaginitis), bleeding after intercourse, withdrawal bleeding, breast cysts, increased number of breast cells ( hyperplasia ), malignant lumps in the breasts, abnormal growth of the lining of the cervix, shrinkage or rejection of the lining of the uterus, fluid-filled ovarian cysts, enlarged uterus
  • general malaise
  • weight loss
  • dangerous blood clots in a vein or artery, such as:
    • in a leg or foot (ie DVT)
    • in the lungs
    • myocardial infarction
    • stroke
    • mini-stroke or transient stroke-like symptoms, called transient ischemic attack ( TIA )
    • blood clots in the liver, stomach/intestines, kidneys, or eyes. The risk of developing a blood clot may be higher if you have other conditions that increase this risk (see section 2 for more information about the conditions that increase the risk of blood clots and the symptoms of a blood clot).

The following side effects have also been reported, but their frequency cannot be estimated from the available data: hypersensitivity, erythema multiforme (rash with ring-shaped redness or ulcers).

How to store Yaz

Keep this medicine out of the sight and reach of children.

This medicine does not require any special storage instructions.

Use before the expiry date which is stated on the carton after “Exp.” The expiration date is the last day of the specified month.

The medicine must not be thrown into the drain or among the household waste. Ask the pharmacist how to dispose of medicines that are no longer used. These measures will help to protect the environment.

Contents of the packaging and other information

Contents declaration

Light pink active film-coated tablets:

  • The active substances are ethinylestradiol (as betadexclatrate) and drospirenone. Each light pink active film-coated tablet contains 0.020 milligrams of ethinylestradiol (as betadexclarate) and 3 milligrams of drospirenone.
  • Other ingredients in the light pink active tablets are:
    Tablet core: lactose monohydrate, corn starch, magnesium stearate (E470b).
    Tablet coating: hypromellose (E464), talc (E553b), titanium dioxide (E171), and red iron oxide (E172).

White inactive film-coated tablets:

  • The white film-coated tablets contain no active substances.
  • The ingredients are:
    Tablet core: 
    lactose monohydrate, microcrystalline cellulose, magnesium stearate (E470b)
    Tablet coating: hypromellose (E464), talc (E553b), and titanium dioxide (E171).

What Yaz looks like and the contents of the pack

  • Each Yaz blister contains 24 light pink film-coated active tablets in rows 1, 2, 3, and 4 of the tablet chart and 4 white film-coated placebo tablets in row 4.
  • The Yaz tablets, both the light pink and the white, are film-coated, i.e. the core of the tablet is covered by an outer layer.
  • The active tablet is light pink, and round with a convex surface. One side is marked with the letters “DS” within an equilateral hexagon.
  • The placebo tablet is white, and round with a convex surface. One side is marked with the letters “DP” within an equilateral hexagon.
  • Yaz is available in packs of 1, 3, 6, and 13 tablets, and each tablet contains 28 tablets.

Not all pack sizes may be marketed.

Marketing Authorisation Holder

Bayer AG13342 Berlin GermanyandBayer Weimar GmbH & Co. KGDöbereinerstr. 20, 99427 Weimar Germany

This medicine is registered in the member countries of the European Economic Area (EEA) under the following names:

  • Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Estonia, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain: YAZ
  • Austria, Belgium, Croatia, Finland, Norway, Portugal, Sweden: Yaz
  • Netherlands: Yaz 24+4

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