Yaz 3/0.02mg Tablets

Drospirenone and ethinylestradiol is a combined hormonal contraceptive ("the pill") used to prevent pregnancy.

• Ethinylestradiol is a man-made form of the hormone oestrogen.
• Drospirenone is a progestogen, similar to the hormone progesterone.

Together the two hormones prevent pregnancy. Used correctly, combined pills are one of the most reliable reversible methods of contraception. They do not protect against HIV or other sexually transmitted infections.

Take the pill exactly as your doctor, nurse or pharmacist tells you and as shown on your pack.

• Take one tablet every day at about the same time, with or without food.
• Follow the arrows on the strip, then have the tablet-free or inactive-tablet days your pack describes.
• If you are less than 12 hours late, take the missed tablet as soon as you remember; you are still protected.
• If you are more than 12 hours late, protection may be reduced. Follow the missed-pill advice in your leaflet and use condoms for the next 7 days.
• If you vomit within 3 to 4 hours or have severe diarrhoea, treat it as a missed pill.

Common side effects include:

• bleeding between periods or changes to your periods
• breast pain or tenderness
• headache, migraine, low mood
• feeling sick
• vaginal thrush or discharge

Get medical help straight away if you have signs of a blood clot:

• pain or swelling in one leg, especially with warmth or colour change
• sudden breathlessness, sharp chest pain or coughing up blood
• sudden weakness or numbness on one side, trouble speaking or seeing, or a severe headache
• swelling of the face, tongue or throat, or trouble breathing

Do not use it if you have ever had a blood clot, a heart attack, stroke or angina, migraine with aura, liver disease or a liver tumour, poor kidney function, breast cancer or unexplained vaginal bleeding. Check with your doctor first if you:

• smoke, especially if over 35
• are overweight, or need surgery or long bed rest
• have diabetes, high blood pressure or high blood fats
• have depression, epilepsy, lupus, Crohn's disease or sickle cell disease
• have just had a baby
• take epilepsy or TB medicines, some HIV or hepatitis C medicines, or St John's wort

Do not store above 30°C. Keep the tablets in the original blister to protect from moisture, out of the reach of children.

Blood clots: all combined pills slightly raise the risk of blood clots, most of all in the first year or when restarting after a break of 4 weeks or more.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding: do not take it if you are pregnant; stop and see your doctor if you become pregnant. It is generally not advised while breastfeeding.

Mood: tell your doctor promptly if you have low mood or depression.

Tests: tell your doctor or lab staff that you take the pill before blood tests.