Warnings & Recalls for Drospirenone
Family Planning Warnings
- Drospirenone-estradiol is category X.
- As it used to prevent pregnancy, Yaz can cause significant damage to the fetus if taken while pregnant.
- Drospirenone is considered contraindicted during pregnancy.
- Drospirenone is excreted in breast milk.
General Warnings
- Women should not use Yaz if they have a history of stroke and blood clot, heart valve disorder, circulation problems caused by diabetes, breast or uterine cancer, kidney and liver disease, abnormal bleeding in the vagina, adrenal gland disorder, high blood pressure, chronic migraine headaches, or a history of jaundice induced by taking birth control pills.
- It is strongly cautioned to not smoke while taking Yaz, especially women over the age of 35. Smoking increases the risk of blood clots, heart attacks or stroke while taking Yaz.
- There has not been a FDA recall for the Yaz Birth Control Pill, but Bayer Corporation is under scrutiny by the FDA, and they have been issued a warning letter to them regarding harm to women and for false claims about the drug.
- Yasmin and other drospirenone and ethinylestradiol contraceptives have been shown to cause an increase in potassium levels in the blood, or hyperkalemia. This serious medical condition may cause chronic renal failure and should be checked by a physician immediately if it is suspected. Unfortunately, hyperkalemia’s symptoms may be mistaken for Yasmin’s other side effects. If a patient suspects that this could be a possibility, then they are advised to see their doctor.
Interactions
Before going on a Yaz regimen, patient's should consult their doctor if they have had high blood pressure or heart disease, liver cancer, gallbladder disease, high cholesterol, are overweight, diabetes, epilepsy, depression, or abnormal menstrual cycles.
Drospirenone Treatment and Use
What is Drospirenone?
Yaz | Drospirenone is a hormone progesterone. Drospirenone is combined with ethinyl estradiol to create an oral contraceptive. Although it used to prevent pregnancy, it also used to treat premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) and acne in women over the age of 14. Yaz prevents ovulation and causes changes in the cervical and uterine lining in women, effectively making it harder for sperm cells and fertilized eggs to reach the uterus. It is only available through prescription and comes in pill form.
How does it work?
Drospirenone prevents ovulation and causes changes in the cervical and uterine lining in women, effectively making it harder for sperm cells and fertilized eggs to reach the uterus. It is only available through prescription and comes in pill form.
How to take it?
Yaz is highly recommended to be taken as prescribed by a doctor and pharmacist. Patient’s should not take Yaz more than prescribed and not take it longer than recommended.
Yaz is to be taken on the first day of the period or on the first Sunday after the beginning of a patient’s period.
Patient’s should inform their doctor if they have breakthrough bleeding from taking Yaz and if it is very heavy.
It is strongly advised to see a doctor routinely while taking Yaz. Women should always do self-exams of the breast on a monthly basis for lumps while taking Yaz.
