Estrogen and Progestin

SSUE: The FDA is aware of two newly published studies, which include the risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE) in women, the birth control pills, drospirenone, are used evaluated.The two recently published studies have investigated whether it referred to a higher risk compared to blood clots in women, the birth control pills containing the progestin drospirenone, compared to similar women, birth control pills with a different progestin levonorgestrel. These two new studies reported that it contained an increased risk of VTE with birth control pills, drospirenone, are connected. This risk is reported to be linked up to 2 to 3 times greater than the risk of VTE with the use of levonorgestrel-containing pills. Other studies have reported no increased risk. The FDA is currently reviewing the conflicting results from these studies and will look at all currently available information to fully assess the risks and benefits of drospirenone-containing pill. FDA will continue to communicate any new safety information to the public when they are available. Read the drug safety communication for more information about these studies.
BACKGROUND: Drospirenone is a type of female sex hormone called a progestin. Most birth control pills contain two types of hormones - estrogen and progestin. To prevent birth control pills work by preventing the release of eggs from the ovaries (ovulation) and changing the cervical mucus and the lining of the uterus to become pregnant. Brand name of drospirenone-containing products include Yaz (generic Gianvi and Loryna), Yasmin (generic Ocella, Syeda and Zarah), Beyaz, and Safyral.
Recommendation: If your birth control pills containing drospirenone, do not stop without first consulting your doctor. Contact your doctor immediately if you develop any signs of blood clots, including persistent pain in the legs, severe pain in the chest, or sudden shortness of breath. If you smoke and over 35 years, you should not be combined oral contraceptives, because they increase the risk that they raise serious cardiovascular events, including blood clots experience.For more information visit the FDA website at: http://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch/SafetyInformation and http://www.fda.gov/Drugs/DrugSafety.
IMPORTANT NOTE:Smoking increases the risk of serious side effects from oral contraceptives, including heart attacks, blood clots and strokes. This risk is higher for women over 35 years old and heavy smokers (15 or more cigarettes per day). If you take oral contraceptives, you should not smoke.