drospirenone, ethinyl estradiol, and levomefolate

What is the most important information I should know about this medicine?

Taking this medicine can increase your risk of blood clots, stroke, or heart attack.

What is drospirenone, ethinyl estradiol, and levomefolate?

Drospirenone and ethinyl estradiol prevent ovulation (the release of an egg from an ovary) and also cause 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. Levomefolate is a type of B vitamin that helps prevent a rare birth defect that could occur in a baby if pregnancy occurs while taking birth control pills or shortly after stopping them.

Drospirenone, ethinyl estradiol, and levomefolate is a combination medicine used as contraception to prevent pregnancy. The Beyaz brand of 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.

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

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking this medicine?

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 this medicine. Your risk is also high when you restart this medicine after not taking it for 4 weeks or longer.

• 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).

To make sure this medicine is safe for you, 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.

How should I take this medicine?

Follow all directions on your prescription label. Do not take this medicine in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended. Take your first pill on the first day of your period or on the first Sunday after your period begins. You may need to use back-up birth control, such as condoms with spermicide, when you first start using this medication.

Take one pill every day, no more than 24 hours apart. When the pills run out, start a new pack the following day. You could get pregnant if you do not take one pill daily.

You must take the pills in the right order for this medicine to be effective in preventing pregnancy. Follow the arrows shown on each row of pills in your blister pack. The last few pills you will take contain only levomefolate and not the contraceptive (birth control) medicines.

Use back-up birth control if you are sick with severe vomiting or diarrhea.

You may have breakthrough bleeding, especially during the first 3 months. Tell your doctor if this bleeding continues or is very heavy.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Follow the patient instructions provided with your medicine. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you do not understand these instructions. Missing a pill increases your risk of becoming pregnant. If you miss 1 pill during Week 1, 2, or 3, take 2 pills on the day that you remember. Then take 1 pill per day for the rest of the pack.

If you miss 2 pills in a row in Week 1 or 2, take 2 pills per day for 2 days in a row. Then take 1 pill per day for the rest of the pack. Use back-up birth control for at least 7 days following the missed pills.

If you miss 2 pills in a row in Week 3, throw out the rest of the pack and start a new pack the same day if you are a Day 1 starter. If you are a Sunday starter, keep taking a pill every day until Sunday. On Sunday, throw out the rest of the pack and start a new pack that day.

If you miss 3 pills in a row in Week 1, 2, or 3, throw out the rest of the pack and start a new pack on the same day if you are a Day 1 starter. If you are a Sunday starter, keep taking a pill every day until Sunday. On Sunday, throw out the rest of the pack and start a new pack that day.

If you miss a levomefolate pill in Week 4, throw the pill away and keep taking 1 pill per day until the pack is empty.

What happens if I overdose?

What should I avoid while taking this medicine?

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.

What are the possible side effects of this medicine?

• 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;
• breast tenderness;
• headache; or
• breakthrough bleeding.

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.

What other drugs will affect this medicine?

Other drugs may interact with drospirenone, ethinyl estradiol, and levomefolate, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Some drugs can make this medicine less effective, which may result in pregnancy. Tell your doctor about all your current medicines and any medicine you start or stop using.

Where can I get more information?

Your pharmacist can provide more information about drospirenone, ethinyl estradiol, and levomefolate.

Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.

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