Drospirenone and ethinyl estradiol is a combination birth control pill containing female hormones that prevent ovulation (the release of an egg from an ovary). This medicine also causes changes in your cervical mucus and uterine lining, making it harder for sperm to reach the uterus and harder for a fertilized egg to attach to the uterus.

Drospirenone and ethinyl estradiol is used as contraception to prevent pregnancy. This medicine is also used to treat moderate acne in women who are at least 14 years old and have started having menstrual periods, and who wish to use birth control pills.

Yaz is also used to treat the symptoms of premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD), such as anxiety, depression, irritability, trouble concentrating, lack of energy, sleep or appetite changes, breast tenderness, joint or muscle pain, headache, and weight gain.

Drospirenone and ethinyl estradiol may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Taking this medicine can increase your risk of blood clots, stroke, or heart attack. You are even more at risk if you have high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol, or if you are overweight. Your risk of stroke or blood clot is highest during your first year of taking birth control pills. Your risk is also high when you restart birth control pills after not taking them for 4 weeks or longer.

Smoking can greatly increase your risk of blood clots, stroke, or heart attack. Your risk increases the older you are and the more you smoke. You should not take this medicine if you smoke and are over 35 years old.

Do not use if you are pregnant. Stop using this medicine and tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant, or if you miss 2 menstrual periods in a row. If you have recently had a baby, wait at least 4 weeks before taking this medicine.

You should not take this medicine if you have:

• an adrenal gland disorder;
• kidney disease;
• untreated or uncontrolled high blood pressure;
• heart disease (coronary artery disease, history of heart attack, stroke, or blood clot);
• an increased risk of having blood clots due to a heart problem or a hereditary blood disorder;
• circulation problems (especially if caused by diabetes);
• a history of hormone-related cancer, or cancer of the breast, uterus/cervix, or vagina;
• unusual vaginal bleeding that has not been checked by a doctor;
• liver disease or liver cancer;
• severe migraine headaches (with aura, numbness, weakness, or vision changes), especially if you are older than 35;
• a history of jaundice caused by pregnancy or birth control pills;
• if you smoke and are over 35 years old; or
• if you take any hepatitis C medication containing ombitasvir/paritaprevir/ritonavir (Technivie).

Tell your doctor if you have ever had:

• heart problems, high blood pressure, or if you are prone to having blood clots;
• high levels of potassium in your blood;
• high cholesterol or triglycerides, or if you are overweight;
• depression;
• liver or kidney disease;
• underactive thyroid, diabetes, gallbladder disease; or
• a migraine headache.

The hormones in this medicine can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. This medicine may also slow breast milk production. Do not use if you are breast feeding.

Use Drospirenone And Ethinyl Estradiol (Oral) exactly as directed on the label, or as prescribed by your doctor. Do not use in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended.

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Stop using birth control pills and call your doctor at once if you have:

• signs of a stroke--sudden numbness or weakness (especially on one side of the body), sudden severe headache, slurred speech, problems with vision or balance;
• signs of a blood clot--sudden vision loss, stabbing chest pain, feeling short of breath, coughing up blood, pain or warmth in one or both legs;
• heart attack symptoms--chest pain or pressure, pain spreading to your jaw or shoulder, nausea, sweating;
• liver problems--loss of appetite, upper stomach pain, tiredness, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes);
• increased blood pressure--severe headache, blurred vision, pounding in your neck or ears;
• swelling in your hands, ankles, or feet;
• a change in the pattern or severity of migraine headaches; or
• symptoms of depression--sleep problems, weakness, tired feeling, mood changes.

Common side effects may include:

• nausea, vomiting;
• breast tenderness;
• headache, mood changes, feeling tired or irritable;
• weight gain; or
• changes in your menstrual periods, decreased sex drive.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Do not smoke while taking this medicine, especially if you are older than 35 years of age.

This medicine will not protect you from sexually transmitted diseases, including HIV and AIDS. Using a condom is the only way to protect yourself from these diseases.