Drospirenone and Ethinyl Estradiol
Pronunciation: (droh-SPY-re-nohn / ETH-in-il es-tra-DYE-ol).
- Generic name
- drospirenone and ethinyl estradiol
- Brand names
- YAZ (reference product)
- Drug class
- Combined oral contraceptive (progestin + estrogen)
- Legal status
- Prescription-only
Availability and supply rules vary by country
Trade names by country: India
Australia: · Full directory
What drospirenone and ethinyl estradiol is and how it works
This page covers the generic combination of drospirenone 3 mg (a progestin) with ethinyl estradiol 0.02 mg (an estrogen), a daily combined oral contraceptive taken in a 28-day cycle of 24 hormone tablets followed by 4 inactive tablets. The combination prevents pregnancy mainly by stopping ovulation. Under its US reference product label it is approved to prevent pregnancy, to treat premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) symptoms in those choosing an oral contraceptive, and to treat moderate acne in women at least 14 years old who also want oral contraception. Like all estrogen-containing contraceptives it carries a boxed warning: smoking raises the risk of serious cardiovascular events, and women over 35 who smoke should not use it. Generic versions contain the same hormones at the same strengths as the reference product. (1)
What drospirenone and ethinyl estradiol is used for
Prevention of pregnancy
Daily oral contraception for females of reproductive potential. (1)
Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD)
For PMDD symptoms in those who choose an oral contraceptive as their method of birth control. (1)
Moderate acne
For moderate acne vulgaris from age 14 (after menstruation has started) when oral contraception is also desired. (1)
Before taking drospirenone and ethinyl estradiol
Do not take / not appropriate for
- Not for women over 35 who smoke — smoking with combined oral contraceptives increases the risk of serious cardiovascular events (boxed warning). (United States) (1)
- Not for use with kidney (renal) impairment or adrenal insufficiency, because drospirenone can raise potassium levels. () (1)
- Not for anyone with current, past, or high risk of blood-clot disease: deep vein thrombosis, pulmonary embolism, stroke, heart attack, clot-promoting heart conditions, or inherited clotting disorders. () (1)
- Not with uncontrolled high blood pressure, diabetes with blood-vessel damage, unexplained vaginal bleeding, current or previous breast cancer, or liver tumors/disease. () (1)
- Not together with hepatitis C combinations containing ombitasvir/paritaprevir/ritonavir. () (1)
Tell your clinician about
(1)How to take drospirenone and ethinyl estradiol
- One tablet at the same time each day: 24 hormone tablets, then the 4 inactive tablets, then start the next pack with no break.
- Effectiveness depends on consistent daily timing; late or missed tablets follow the label’s missed-dose ladder.
- Generic packs follow the same 24 + 4 order as the reference product.
Procedures and treatment changes
Tell the treating team before surgery, procedures, or any medicine change. Do not alter treatment without the responsible clinician. (1)
Missed dose
The US reference label’s patient ladder: ONE missed hormone tablet — take it as soon as remembered, next tablet at the usual time, no backup needed. TWO in a row during weeks 1–2 — take two tablets at once, two more the next day, then continue one daily with backup contraception for 7 days. TWO in a row during week 3–4 — discard that pack and start a fresh pack the same day, with 7 days of backup. THREE or more — start a fresh pack and use backup for 7 days. A pharmacist can walk you through it if unsure.
Overdose
If someone takes many tablets at once — particularly a child — contact a poison-information service or seek medical advice promptly. (1)
Side effects
Side effects and their urgency vary; report severe, persistent, or concerning symptoms.
Headache or migraine
What to notice: Among the most common effects (6.7–13% across the reference label’s trials).
What to do: New or worsening migraine goes to the prescriber — it can change whether the pill is continued. (1)
Irregular bleeding or spotting
What to notice: Common, particularly early on (up to about a quarter of PMDD-trial participants).
What to do: Usually settles over the first cycles; persistent changes are worth a prescriber review. (1)
Nausea, breast tenderness, mood changes, tiredness
What to notice: Each reported by roughly 2–16% of trial participants depending on indication.
What to do: Discuss persistent or troublesome symptoms with the prescriber or pharmacist. (1)
Any clot symptom
What to notice: Leg swelling/pain, chest pain, breathlessness, coughing blood, sudden severe headache, weakness, vision or speech change.
What to do: Emergency care immediately. (1)
Jaundice
What to notice: Yellowing skin or eyes, dark urine.
What to do: Prompt prescriber contact; jaundice leads the clinician to stop the medicine. (1)
Serious warnings
Smoking with combined oral contraceptives (boxed warning) — serious
Symptoms: Raised risk of heart attack, stroke, and other serious cardiovascular events, increasing with age and cigarettes per day.
Action: This combination is not used by women over 35 who smoke; be candid about smoking with the prescriber. (1)
Blood clots (VTE, stroke, heart attack) — emergency
Symptoms: Swollen or painful leg; sudden chest pain, breathlessness, or coughing blood; sudden severe headache, one-sided weakness, or trouble speaking/seeing.
Action: Treat as an emergency and seek immediate care. Drospirenone pills may carry a somewhat higher clot risk than levonorgestrel pills, and the risk is greatest in the first months after starting or restarting; further treatment decisions after a clot belong to the clinical team. (1)
High potassium (hyperkalemia) — serious
Symptoms: Frequently symptomless; possible palpitations, irregular heartbeat, or muscle weakness.
Action: Because drospirenone has anti-mineralocorticoid activity, a serum potassium check in the first cycle applies to anyone also on chronic ACE inhibitors, ARBs, potassium-sparing diuretics, potassium supplements, heparin, aldosterone antagonists, or daily NSAIDs. (1)
Worsening migraine or jaundice — serious
Symptoms: Migraines becoming more frequent or severe; yellow skin or eyes.
Action: Report promptly — the prescriber may decide the medicine should be discontinued. (1)
Interactions
| Medicine or test | Effect | Action |
|---|---|---|
| Enzyme-inducing medicines and herbals (some anticonvulsants, rifampin, St. John’s wort) | Can lower hormone levels — reduced contraceptive effect and breakthrough bleeding. | Declare all medicines and supplements; additional precautions may be advised. (1) |
| Potassium-raising medicines (ACE inhibitors, ARBs, potassium-sparing diuretics, potassium supplements, heparin, aldosterone antagonists, chronic NSAIDs) | Additive hyperkalemia risk with drospirenone. | First-cycle potassium blood test for chronic users of these medicines. (1) |
| Strong CYP3A4 inhibitors (azole antifungals and similar) | Can raise hormone plasma concentrations. | Professional review of the complete medicine list. (1) |
| Ombitasvir/paritaprevir/ritonavir hepatitis C regimens | Contraindicated combination. | A different contraceptive is chosen during and after such treatment. (1) |
Pregnancy, breastfeeding, kidney/liver function, age
Pregnancy
Combined oral contraceptives are not used during pregnancy; if pregnancy occurs the medicine is discontinued in consultation with the prescriber. (1)
Breastfeeding
Drospirenone appears in breast milk in small amounts (about 0.1% of the maternal dose) and combined hormonal contraceptives can reduce milk production; contraceptive choice while breastfeeding is made with the care team. (1)
Postpartum
If not breastfeeding, starting waits until at least 4 weeks after delivery because postpartum clot risk is elevated. (1)
Adolescents
Acne indication applies from age 14, after menstruation has begun, when contraception is also wanted. (1)
Kidney_or_adrenal_disease
Contraindicated — the drospirenone component risks high potassium in these conditions. (1)
Monitoring
Before starting
- Blood pressure, clot-risk and smoking review, migraine and liver history
- Medicine review for potassium-raising and enzyme-inducing agents
During treatment
- First-cycle serum potassium where chronic potassium-raising co-medication applies
- Routine review of blood pressure, migraine pattern, and clot or liver warning signs
Storage
Keep the blister pack as directed on the pack and pharmacy label, out of reach of children.
Professional information
Clinician-facing context only. This section does not replace current product labeling.
United States
Indication: Contraception; PMDD; moderate acne vulgaris (≥14 years, desiring oral contraception)
Dose summary: One tablet orally daily in pack order: 24 × (drospirenone 3 mg / ethinyl estradiol 0.02 mg) then 4 inert tablets; next pack starts the following day without a gap. Postpartum non-breastfeeding start: no earlier than 4 weeks after delivery.
Renal context: Contraindicated in renal impairment and adrenal insufficiency (drospirenone anti-mineralocorticoid activity, hyperkalemia potential). First-cycle serum potassium check with chronic daily ACE inhibitors, ARBs, potassium-sparing diuretics, potassium supplementation, heparin, aldosterone antagonists, or NSAIDs. (1)
Frequently asked questions
Is “Yazcon” a real medicine brand?
No — “yazcon” is a historical misnaming in this site’s records. This page covers the generic combination drospirenone 3 mg with ethinyl estradiol 0.02 mg; the US reference brand for this combination is YAZ. YAZ, YAZ Flex, Yasmin, and Yasminelle each have their own pages. (1)
Are generic versions as effective as the brand?
Generic drospirenone/ethinyl estradiol tablets contain the same hormones at the same strengths in the same 24 + 4 regimen as the reference product, and are used the same way under the same labeling. (1)
How is this different from Yasmin?
Yasmin contains the same hormones at a different strength (drospirenone 3 mg with a higher 0.03 mg dose of ethinyl estradiol, in a 21 + 7 regimen). This page covers the 3 mg / 0.02 mg, 24 + 4 combination. (1)
Does the pill protect against sexually transmitted infections?
No — no oral contraceptive protects against HIV or other sexually transmitted infections. Condoms are needed for that. (1)
Why might my potassium be checked?
Drospirenone acts a little like a potassium-sparing diuretic. If you also take daily medicines that raise potassium — such as ACE inhibitors, ARBs, potassium-sparing diuretics, potassium supplements, heparin, aldosterone antagonists, or NSAIDs — the label calls for a potassium blood test during your first cycle. (1)
What is the generic name of Drospirenone and Ethinyl Estradiol?
The generic name is drospirenone and ethinyl estradiol. It is sold under brand names including YAZ (reference product).
What class of drug is drospirenone and ethinyl estradiol?
Drospirenone and Ethinyl Estradiol is classed as: Combined oral contraceptive (progestin + estrogen).
References
- YAZ (drospirenone and ethinyl estradiol) tablets — prescribing information, Bayer HealthCare Pharmaceuticals, revised 2025-05-29US FDA prescribing information via DailyMed (U.S. National Library of Medicine) · United States · dated 2025-05-29 · accessed 2026-08-08 · source 1
- DROSPIRENONE AND ETHINYL ESTRADIOL KIT [REDPHARM DRUG] — US prescribing information (DailyMed SPL)U.S. National Library of Medicine (DailyMed) · US · accessed 2026-08-14 · source 2
- Yaz — FDA approval record (Drugs@FDA NDA021676)U.S. Food and Drug Administration · US · accessed 2026-08-14 · source 3
Brand names by country
Single-ingredient drospirenone and ethinyl estradiol names are shown separately by country. Product availability, strengths, and supply rules can change; combination products are not included here.
Priority countries
India
- Yasmin21-tablet pack · Bayer Zydus Pharma
- Yaz28-tablet pack · Bayer Pharmaceuticals Pvt Ltd
- Yamini / Yamini LS21-tablet pack, 24-tablet pack (LS) · Lupin
- Crisanta / Crisanta LS21-tablet pack, 24-tablet pack (LS) · Cipla Limited
- Dronis 20 / Dronis 3020 mcg, 30 mcg · Sun Pharma
- Dafadros / Dafadros LS21-tablet pack, 24-tablet pack (LS) · La Renon Healthcare Pvt Ltd
- Trusenta21-tablet pack · Chemo Healthcare Pvt Ltd
- Asmita21-tablet pack · Integrace Private Limited