Yaz
Drospirenone
Drug Class and Mechanism of Action of Yaz
This medication includes two hormones that are commonly used to prevent pregnancy. The drug action is in preventing the ovulation within menstrual cycle. Moreover it makes the fluid of vagina thicker thus contributing to prevention of fertilization and changes the lining of the uterus thus preventing the attachment of already fertilized egg.
Theurapetic Uses of Yaz
The drug is intended to prevent pregnancy, regulate menstrual periods, decrease pain and blood loss within the menstruations as well as the possibility of the ovarian cysts. The medication doesn't provide any protection against sexually transmitted diseases.
Direction of Use of Yaz
Carefully read the leaflet enclosed to the drug before starting the treatment. Contact your doctor in case something remain unclear for you.
The drug should be taken orally once per day or according to your doctor prescriptions. The medication should be taken at the same time everyday.
The medicine is to be taken straight in accordance to the doctor's prescription. Read the leaflet enclosed and find the first tablet. Take it and then take medication in a strict order. Avoid skipping any doses. Most probably that the pregnancy will occur due to the miss of the drug intake, the late start of the new package or intake of the drug in the wrong time.
It is recommended to use the drug after the dinner or before going to bed in case you experience certain stomach upset or nausea caused by the drug. In short it doesn't matter when you will take the drug, but you should use it regularly at the same time. Contact your doctor in case you have any questions.
Commonly the package includes 21 pills with active medication (there may also be 7 reminder pills with no medication). Take one active tablet one time per day within 21 days. In case there are 28 tablets in the package then you should take one inactive tablet per day within 7 days after you take the last active pill or according to your doctor prescription. In case there are 21 tab in the package then don't use any tablets at all within 7 days or in accordance to your doctor prescription. Your period is to be within the fourth week of the cycle. After you finish the 7 inactive tab or spent seven days without using active medicines start new package the next day no matter you have your period or not. Contact your doctor in case you don't have your period.
In case this is the first time you use the drug or you changed it instead of another pregnancy preventing medication then you should take your first tab on the first Sunday after you menstrual cycle has begone or at the first day of the period. In case the period starts at Sunday than start the use of the drug at the same day. Use also non-hormonal forms pf birth control within 7 days in the first cycle of the drug use (it;s required to avoid pregnancy before the drug will start to act). In case you start the drug use at the first day of the period then you shouldn't use additional non-hormonal forms of birth control within first seven days.
Consult with your doctor in case you moved to this drug from another hormonal one.
Dose of Yaz, if Missed
Carefully read the information about missed dosage in the enclosed leaflet as you may have to apply condoms or other forms of birth control. Contact your doctor in case something is unclear for you. In case you often miss the doses consult with your doctor about possibility of changing the medication.
How to Store Yaz
The medication should be kept at the temperature of 77 degrees F (25 degrees C) in the place beyond the reach of children and pets. It is also possible to keep it at the temperature between 59-86 degrees F (15-30 degrees C) for a short period of time. Avoid storing the drug in the bathroom.
Discard the medication properly in case you don't need it anymore or it is expired. Don't flush the drug into the toilet. Contact your doctor to find out how to discard the medicine properly.
More Information About Yaz
Your doctor may already know about possible drug interactions thus don't start to use, cease to use or change the dosage somehow of the drugs you already take without previous talk to your doctor.
Don't take the drug in combination with the following ones as this may cause serious interactions: aromatase inhibitors, sodium tetradecyl sulfate, troleandomycin. In case you already use any of these drugs contact your doctor before starting the use of Yaz medication.
Let your doctor know about all drug you use before taking the Yaz medication and especially of the following ones: ACE inhibitors such as enalapril/lisinopril, angiotensin receptor blockers such as losartan/valsartan, heparin, NSAIDs such as ibuprofen/naproxen, potassium-sparing "water pills"/diuretics such as spironolactone/triamterene, raloxifene, tamoxifen, medication for underactive thyroid, acetaminophen, ascorbic acid/vitamin C, atorvastatin, azole antifungals such as itraconazole/ketoconazole/vaginal miconazole).
Some drugs decrease birth control hormones thus they may decrease the efficiency of Yaz birth control and lead to pregnancy. So consult with your doctor before taking any of the following drugs: many antibiotics, aprepitant, bexarotene, bosentan, dapsone, felbamate, griseofulvin, certain HIV protease inhibitors, modafinil, nevirapine, phenylbutazone, rifamycins, many seizure medications, St. John's wort.
Yaz also affects the speed of removal other drugs from your organism. Therefore contact your doctor before starting Yaz use in case you already use any of the following medications: acetaminophen, aspirin, certain beta blockers, clofibrate, cyclosporine, morphine and corticosteroids.
Let your doctor and laboratory personnel know you take the Yaz as it may affect the result of the medical tests.
In case you experience overdose contact the doctor. The possible signs of the overdose are severe nausea and vomiting as well as sudden/unusual vaginal bleeding.
Do not share the drugs with anyone else. The use of the drug should be accompanied with various medical tests. Strictly follow all you doctor's appointments.
Precautions to be Taken While Taking Yaz
Let your doctor know about all allergies you have before you start taking the drug.
Furthermore the drug is not to be used in case you experience certain medical conditions. So consult with your doctor about using this drug in case you have any of the following medical conditions: adrenal gland problems, stroke or other blood clots, severe high blood pressure, abnormal breast exam, cancer, diabetes that has caused kidney/eye/nerve/blood vessel disease, severe headaches, history of heart disease, heart valve disease, kidney problems, liver problems, current or suspected pregnancy, recent major surgery, long periods of sitting or lying down, history of yellowing eyes/skin during pregnancy or while using birth control pills, unexplained vaginal bleeding, heavy tobacco use.
Also let your doctor know in case you have ever experienced increased blood pressure, high sholesterol level. Depression, diabetes, swelling any gallbladder problems. Migraines, obesity, thyroid problems or recently you were pregnant.
Avoid smoking cigarettes within Yaz use period as this may cause the stroke, blood clots, increased blood pressure as well as heart attacks.
The use of the drug in those experiencing diabetes may lead to more problems in monitoring blood sugar level. Let your doctor know about your control results and any symptoms you have as you may need some adjusting of your anti-diabetic medicine use.
Tell your doctor in case you are preparing for surgery. Your use of Yaz may be stopped for this period.
The use of the drug may cause the appearing of dark areas on your skin that are commonly worsened by the sunlight. Thus avoid being at the sun for a long period or time and protect your body with corresponding clothes.
Those wearing lenses may experience the worsening of the vision due to Yaz taking. Contact your doctor in case you have any of them.
After you stop taking the tablets you may need longer period of time to become pregnant. Don't take the drug within the pregnancy period. Let your doctor know in case you are pregnant or going to become pregnant. Discuss with your doctor any possible ways of birth control in case you have just gave a birth to a child or had pregnancy or abortion.
It is also not recommended to breast feed the baby in case you use this medication.
Possible Adverse Effects of Yaz
The use of this medication may cause various side effects as follows: nausea, vomiting, headache, stomach cramping/bloating, dizziness, vaginal discomfort/irritation, increased vaginal fluids, or breast tenderness/enlargement.
Your acne may improve as well as get worse. Vaginal bleeding is also possible to occur especially within first months of the medication use. Let your doctor know about any of these effects.
Contact your doctor at once in case you have any of the following serious side effects: changes in vaginal bleeding, problem wearing contact lenses, dark patches on the skin, unwanted facial/body hair, swelling of the ankles/feet, weight changes.
The use of the medication may cause even fatal (but rare) blood clots problems. Contact your health-care provider in case you have: sudden shortness of breath, chest/jaw/left arm pain, confusion, coughing up blood, sudden dizziness/fainting, pain/swelling/warmth in the groin/calf, tingling/weakness/numbness in the arms/legs, headaches, slurred speech, weakness on one side of the body, vision problems/changes.
Let your doctor know in case you experience any of these adverse effects: lumps in the breast, severe stomach/abdominal/pelvic pain, mental/mood changes, unusual tiredness, dark urine, yellowing eyes/skin.
You may also have allergic reaction to the medication. It is unlikely but contact your doctor in case you have any of the following symptoms: rash, itching/swelling, severe dizziness, trouble breathing.
