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
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Talking about birth control at your first gynecological exam

Your gynecologist is an important partner in your sexual and reproductive health. If you're considering YAZ® (drospirenone & ethinyl estradiol) for birth control, schedule an appointment with your healthcare provider.

Make a List

Before your office visit, make a list of the questions you have about YAZ and other birth control options.

If you need help, check out:

Your health history

In addition to your personal health history, be prepared to discuss your family health history, including the incidence of breast cancer, cancer of the reproductive organs, diabetes, and heart disease in your close relatives.

You will probably also be asked:

  • At what age did your period start?
  • How often do you get your period and for how many days?
  • How heavy is your menstrual flow?
  • When was the date of your last period?
  • Do you or have you ever smoked?

All of this information can help your healthcare provider decide if oral contraceptives are right for you.

You should also bring a list of medications you are taking.

Be open and honest

It is very important to answer questions about your health, sex life, and emotions as openly as possible. You will probably be asked if you smoke or drink alcohol. You may be asked how sexually active you are. Such questions may be relevant to your treatment, so don't be embarrassed.

Once your healthcare provider has finished his or her questions, you'll have your turn. (This is where that printed list of questions is really valuable!)

This is your chance to get some answers, whether it's about something you've been experiencing or information you read on the Web or in a magazine.

Ask your healthcare provider what YAZ can do for you.



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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