Buy Yaz & Yasmin Birth Control (Drospirenone / Ethinyl Estradiol) — Online Prescription
Yaz and Yasmin are two birth control pills made from the same two hormones, drospirenone and ethinyl estradiol, at different estrogen doses and schedules. This guide compares them side by side, lists every generic version, and covers what the data says about weight gain, acne, PMDD and blood clots, plus what you'll pay.
Medically reviewed Medically reviewed by Angelo DeFazio, R.Ph. — NPI 1629115530 · Last updated 2026-09-25
| Active ingredient | Drospirenone (progestin) + ethinyl estradiol (estrogen) |
|---|---|
| Dosage form | Tablets in 28-day packs — Yaz: 24 active (3 mg/0.02 mg) + 4 inert; Yasmin: 21 active (3 mg/0.03 mg) + 7 inert |
| Administration route | Oral |
Indications: 1 INDICATIONS AND USAGE Yaz is a combination of drospirenone, a progestin, and ethinyl estradiol, an estrogen, indicated for use by females of reproductive potential to: • Prevent pregnancy. ( 1.1 ) • Treat symptoms of premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) for females of reproductive potential who choose to use an oral contraceptive for contraception. ( 1.2 ) • Treat moderate acne for women at least 14 years old only if the patient desires an oral contraceptive for birth control. ( 1.3 ) 1.1 Or…
Boxed warning: WARNING: CIGARETTE SMOKING AND SERIOUS CARDIOVASCULAR EVENTS Cigarette smoking increases the risk of serious cardiovascular events from combination oral contraceptives (COC) use. This risk increases with age, particularly in women over 35 years of age, and with the number of cigarettes smoked. For this reason, COCs should not be used by women who are over 35 years of age and smoke [see Contraindications ( 4 )] . WARNING: CIGARETTE SMOKING AND SERIOUS CARDIOVASCULAR EVENTS See full prescribing information for complete boxed warning. • Women over 35 years old who smoke should not use Yaz ( 4 ). …
Contraindications: 4 CONTRAINDICATIONS Yaz is contraindicated in females who are known to have or develop the following conditions: • Renal impairment • Adrenal insufficiency • A high risk of arterial or venous thrombotic diseases. Examples include women who are known to: • Smoke, if over age 35 [see Boxed Warning and Warnings and Precautions ( 5.1 )] • Have deep vein thrombosis or pulmonary embolism, now or in the past [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.1 )] • Have cerebrovascular disease [see Warnings and Precaut…
openFDA label data — Updated 2026-09-29Yaz and Yasmin are prescription birth control pills with the same two hormones: drospirenone 3 mg (a progestin) and ethinyl estradiol (an estrogen). Yaz has less estrogen (0.02 mg), a 24+4 schedule, and extra FDA approval for PMDD and moderate acne. Yasmin has 0.03 mg estrogen and a 21+7 schedule, approved for pregnancy prevention. Both have generics, such as Loryna and Nikki for Yaz and Ocella and Syeda for Yasmin, which most insurance covers at $0. Weight gain is not a large effect in trials. In Connecticut, our pharmacists can prescribe it without a separate doctor visit. The most important risk is blood clots, especially for smokers over 35, who must not use them.
Yaz vs. Yasmin: side-by-side
Both pills are made by Bayer and use the same progestin at the same dose. The differences come down to estrogen dose, schedule and approved uses:
Yaz
- Active pills
- 24 light pink: 3 mg drospirenone + 0.02 mg ethinyl estradiol
- Inactive pills
- 4 white (a shorter hormone-free break)
- FDA-approved for
- Pregnancy prevention, PMDD symptoms, moderate acne (age 14+)
- May suit
- People sensitive to estrogen side effects, or with PMDD, acne or bothersome withdrawal-week symptoms
Yasmin
- Active pills
- 21 yellow: 3 mg drospirenone + 0.03 mg ethinyl estradiol
- Inactive pills
- 7 white (a traditional hormone-free week)
- FDA-approved for
- Pregnancy prevention
- May suit
- People who have breakthrough spotting on lower-estrogen pills
Source: Yaz and Yasmin FDA prescribing information, section 6.1. Bars are scaled to 12%. Yaz trials also reported irregular bleeding or spotting in 4.7% of users. Yasmin trials reported premenstrual syndrome symptoms in 13.2%.
Generic Yaz and generic Yasmin: every name
Both brands have many FDA-approved generics. They carry their own brand-like names, which is why "Is Loryna the same as Yaz?" is such a common question. The answer is yes: same hormones, same dose, same schedule.
| Equivalent to | Hormones per active pill | Pack | Generic names you may receive |
|---|---|---|---|
| Yaz | 3 mg drospirenone + 0.02 mg ethinyl estradiol | 24 active + 4 inactive | Gianvi, Loryna, Nikki, Vestura, Jasmiel, Lo-Zumandimine, "drospirenone/ethinyl estradiol 3-0.02" |
| Yasmin | 3 mg drospirenone + 0.03 mg ethinyl estradiol | 21 active + 7 inactive | Ocella, Syeda, Zarah, Zumandimine, "drospirenone/ethinyl estradiol 3-0.03" |
| Beyaz / Safyral | Same as Yaz / Yasmin, plus levomefolate (a folate) | Same as above | Versions with added folate for people who could become pregnant |
| Slynd | 4 mg drospirenone only (no estrogen) | 24 active + 4 inactive | A progestin-only option for people who shouldn't take estrogen |
Can the pharmacy switch my generic? Yes. A prescription for Yaz can be filled with any AB-rated Yaz generic, and the specific name may change between refills depending on supply. If you notice a new name on your pack, check the strength (3-0.02 vs. 3-0.03) and pack layout (24+4 vs. 21+7). If they match, it's the same pill. Ask us to keep you on one manufacturer if you prefer.
The price gap is striking. This is what pharmacies pay for one 28-pill pack at wholesale:
Source: CMS NADAC, data.medicaid.gov, September 2026 survey. NADAC is the pharmacy's acquisition cost, not your price.
How drospirenone birth control works
Drospirenone is the feature that sets these pills apart. The label notes that 3 mg of it has anti-mineralocorticoid activity comparable to 25 mg of spironolactone. That's behind the less-bloating and acne benefits, and also behind the need to watch potassium in people at risk.
How to take Yaz or Yasmin (and missed pills)
- Choose your start dayDay 1 start: begin on the first day of your period. You're protected right away. Sunday start: begin on the first Sunday after your period starts, and use condoms for the first 7 days.
- One pill, same time, every dayTake the pills in pack order. The label suggests after the evening meal or at bedtime, with or without food. Setting a phone alarm is the best defense against the "typical use" failure rate.
- Take the inactive pills tooYaz: 4 white pills. Yasmin: 7 white pills. Your period usually comes during these days. Start the next pack the day after the last white pill.
- Expect some spotting at firstIrregular bleeding is common in the first 3 months and usually settles. Tell your prescriber if it persists or is heavy.
Missed pills, per the FDA label:
Take it now
- Take the missed pill as soon as you remember. Two in one day is fine.
- Continue as normal
- No backup needed
Double up for 2 days
- Take 2 pills as soon as possible and 2 the next day
- Then 1 a day to finish the pack
- Use condoms for 7 days
Restart and use backup
- Day 1 starters: throw out the rest of the pack and start a new one that day
- Sunday starters: keep taking 1 a day until Sunday, then start a new pack
- Use condoms for 7 days. Ask about emergency contraception if you had sex.
Yaz for acne and PMDD
These two approvals are the main reason prescribers choose Yaz over Yasmin, and they're backed by placebo-controlled trials:
Source: Yaz FDA prescribing information, Table 4. Approved for moderate acne only in women 14+ who also want an oral contraceptive.
- Acne takes time. The trials measured results at 6 cycles. Most people see gradual improvement from month 2–3 onward.
- PMDD, not ordinary PMS. Yaz is approved for premenstrual dysphoric disorder, a severe mood condition with depression, anxiety and irritability that disrupt daily life. It hasn't been evaluated for ordinary PMS, and its PMDD effect beyond 3 cycles wasn't formally studied.
- Yasmin carries neither approval. It may still help acne through the same drospirenone mechanism, but it wasn't studied for that on its label.
Side effects, including weight gain
The most common side effects are headache, irregular bleeding or spotting, nausea, breast tenderness and mood changes (see the chart above). Most are worst in the first 2–3 months. In the Yasmin trials, 6.7% of women stopped because of a side effect, most often headache.
Does Yaz cause weight gain?
- The evidence
- A Cochrane review of 49 trials of combination pills found no evidence of a large effect on weight
- Why drospirenone may help
- Its spironolactone-like effect sheds water, so some people notice less bloating than on older pills
- What people notice
- Small fluid shifts in the first months, which usually settle
Mood, bleeding, headaches
- Mood changes
- Reported by about 2% in trials. Report depression promptly, especially if you've had it before.
- Breakthrough bleeding
- Common early on. If it persists past 3 months, your prescriber may switch estrogen dose (Yaz ↔ Yasmin).
- New or worse headaches
- Especially with visual aura. Stop and call your prescriber (see below).
Blood clot risk and warning signs
Every estrogen-containing pill raises the risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE), meaning clots in the legs or lungs. The labels for Yaz and Yasmin add that drospirenone pills may carry a higher risk than levonorgestrel pills. Studies ranged from no increase to about a three-fold increase, and the FDA updated the labels in 2012. In absolute numbers the risk is still low, and much lower than in pregnancy:
Source: Yaz and Yasmin FDA prescribing information, section 5.1. Risk is highest in the first year of use and after restarting following a break of 4 weeks or more.
Smoking raises the risk of heart attack, stroke and clots from combination pills. The risk climbs with age and with the number of cigarettes. Women over 35 who smoke must not use Yaz or Yasmin.
Know the warning signs of a clot or stroke. Clinicians teach them as ACHES:
Any of these means urgent care or 911, not waiting until tomorrow.
Who shouldn't take it
- Smokers over 35
- A current or past blood clot (DVT or pulmonary embolism), a stroke, heart disease, or an inherited clotting disorder
- Migraine with aura at any age, or any migraine over 35
- Uncontrolled high blood pressure, or diabetes with blood-vessel damage
- Kidney impairment, adrenal insufficiency or liver disease. These rule out drospirenone in particular because of the potassium risk.
- Current or past breast cancer, liver tumors, or undiagnosed abnormal vaginal bleeding
- Pregnancy, or less than 4 weeks after delivery if not breastfeeding
- Stop 4 weeks before planned major surgery or long immobilization, and restart 2 weeks after
Drug interactions
| Drug or product | What can happen |
|---|---|
| Carbamazepine, phenytoin, oxcarbazepine, topiramate, barbiturates, rifampin, griseofulvin, bosentan, St. John's wort | Lower the pill's effectiveness. Use backup during use and for 28 days after stopping. |
| ACE inhibitors, ARBs (losartan and others), spironolactone and other potassium-sparing diuretics, potassium supplements, heparin, daily NSAIDs | Can add to drospirenone's potassium-raising effect. Get a potassium check in the first cycle. |
| Strong CYP3A4 inhibitors (ketoconazole, itraconazole, clarithromycin and others) | Raise drospirenone levels. Potassium monitoring may be needed for long-term use. |
| Lamotrigine | The pill lowers lamotrigine levels, which can mean breakthrough seizures. The dose may need adjusting. |
| Hepatitis C combination ombitasvir / paritaprevir / ritonavir | Contraindicated with ethinyl estradiol (liver enzyme elevations) |
Common antibiotics such as amoxicillin and doxycycline are not on the label's list of drugs that reduce effectiveness. Rifampin is the proven exception.
Buy Yaz or Yasmin: prescription, price and $0 copay
- Insurance usually means $0. Under federal preventive-care rules, most private plans cover FDA-approved birth control without cost-sharing. For this pill that usually means a generic at $0, while brand Yaz or Yasmin may have a copay unless your prescriber documents a medical reason.
- Paying cash? Generic is the answer. Pharmacies pay about 19 cents per generic tablet at wholesale (NADAC, below), versus about $5.84 per tablet for brand Yaz. See the price table below for typical cash prices, and ask us for a quote on a 3-pack.
- Getting a prescription. Our pharmacists can prescribe it for you (see the steps below). You can also use an existing prescription from your OB-GYN, primary care provider or a licensed telehealth service.
- Refill ahead. Running out means restarting with backup protection. Request refills a week early, and ask about a 3-month supply if your plan allows it.
- Not over the counter. Yaz and Yasmin need a prescription. The only OTC daily pill is Opill (norgestrel), a progestin-only pill with no estrogen. Websites selling Yaz "without a prescription" aren't licensed US pharmacies.
Get birth control prescribed by an Arrow pharmacist
Connecticut law lets specially trained pharmacists prescribe hormonal birth control, and our pharmacists do. You don't need a separate doctor's appointment. Here's how it works:
- Call or stop byCall (860) 522-9289 or come in and tell us you'd like a birth control consultation. Bring your insurance card, and a list of your medicines if you take any.
- Fill out the state questionnaireConnecticut requires a short self-screening questionnaire covering your health history, smoking, migraines, clots and current medicines. Without it, a pharmacist can't prescribe.
- Blood pressure checkWe take your blood pressure in the pharmacy. High blood pressure is one of the main reasons an estrogen pill may not be safe.
- Pharmacist reviewThe pharmacist checks your answers against the CDC's medical eligibility criteria for contraception. If Yaz, Yasmin or a generic is a safe fit, they prescribe it, for up to 12 months. If not, we suggest safer options or refer you to a clinician.
- Leave with your pillsWe fill it right away, usually as the $0 generic for insured patients, and explain how to start and what to do if you miss a pill.
Call (860) 522-9289 for a pharmacist birth control consultation, or to fill or transfer an existing Yaz, Yasmin or generic prescription. We'll check your plan's $0 generic and keep you on the same manufacturer if you prefer. For after-hours questions about a missed pill, the pack insert's missed-pill chart is the quickest guide.
No active shortage reported — No shortage records found for this generic name.
FDA openFDA — Updated 2026-09-29National Average Drug Acquisition Cost (NADAC): $0.191 per tablet (DROSPIRENONE-EE 3-0.02 MG TAB). This is the average price pharmacies pay wholesalers — not your out-of-pocket cost — published by CMS for pricing transparency.
CMS NADAC — Updated 2026-09-29Yaz & Yasmin (Drospirenone / Ethinyl Estradiol) Prices in the USA
| Dosage | Brand-name avg. price | Generic avg. price |
|---|---|---|
| Yaz-strength (3 mg/0.02 mg, 24+4), 1 pack (28 days) | $180–260 (Yaz) | $15–50 (Gianvi, Loryna, Nikki, Vestura and others) |
| Yasmin-strength (3 mg/0.03 mg, 21+7), 1 pack (28 days) | $140–220 (Yasmin) | $15–50 (Ocella, Syeda, Zarah and others) |
| Either strength, 3 packs (84 days) | $420–780 | $40–130 |
Frequently asked questions
Is Yaz the same as Yasmin?
Not quite. Both contain the same progestin dose (3 mg drospirenone) and the same estrogen (ethinyl estradiol), but Yaz has less estrogen (0.02 mg vs. 0.03 mg) and a different schedule: 24 active pills and 4 inactive in Yaz, versus 21 active and 7 inactive in Yasmin. Yaz is also FDA-approved for two extra uses — PMDD (severe premenstrual mood symptoms) and moderate acne — while Yasmin is approved for pregnancy prevention only. Both are made by Bayer and both have inexpensive generics.
Which is better, Yaz or Yasmin?
Neither is better for everyone. Yaz's lower estrogen dose and shorter hormone-free break can mean fewer estrogen-related side effects and less "withdrawal week" symptoms, and it's the one approved for PMDD and acne. Yasmin's higher estrogen dose can mean better cycle control (less breakthrough spotting) for some people. Both prevent pregnancy equally well when taken correctly. Your prescriber chooses based on your history, bleeding pattern and symptoms.
What is the generic for Yaz?
Generic Yaz is drospirenone 3 mg / ethinyl estradiol 0.02 mg in a 24+4 pack. It's sold under names including Gianvi, Loryna, Nikki, Vestura, Jasmiel and Lo-Zumandimine — all FDA-rated as equivalent to Yaz. Generic Yasmin (3 mg / 0.03 mg, 21+7) is sold as Ocella, Syeda, Zarah and Zumandimine, among others. Pharmacies may switch between these brand-named generics depending on stock; the medicine is the same.
Does Yaz or Yasmin cause weight gain?
The evidence says probably not much. A Cochrane review of 49 trials of combination birth control pills found no evidence of a large effect on weight. Drospirenone is a relative of spironolactone, a mild diuretic, which is why some people notice less bloating on it than on older pills. Some people do notice small changes, often water weight in the first months. If you gain a meaningful amount, talk to your prescriber rather than stopping without a backup method.
Is Yaz good for acne?
Yaz is FDA-approved for moderate acne in women 14 and older who also want birth control. In two 6-month placebo-controlled trials, inflammatory acne lesions fell by about 48–51% on Yaz versus 32–34% on placebo, and 15–21% of women were rated clear or almost clear versus 4–9% on placebo. It works gradually, so give it 3 to 6 cycles.
Does Yaz help with PMDD?
Yes — Yaz is FDA-approved to treat symptoms of premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) in women who also choose it for birth control. In two placebo-controlled trials it improved PMDD symptoms more than placebo. Its effectiveness beyond 3 cycles hasn't been formally studied, and it hasn't been evaluated for ordinary PMS.
Do drospirenone pills increase the risk of blood clots?
All estrogen-containing pills raise blood clot (VTE) risk somewhat, and the FDA label for Yaz and Yasmin says pills with drospirenone may carry a higher risk than pills with levonorgestrel — studies ranged from no increase to about a three-fold increase. In absolute terms, the label estimates 3 to 9 clots per 10,000 women per year on any combination pill, compared with 1 to 5 in non-users and much higher rates during pregnancy and after delivery. Risk is highest in the first year and after restarting. Smoking, obesity, age over 35, recent surgery and a personal or family history of clots matter most — tell your prescriber about all of them.
What if I miss a Yaz or Yasmin pill?
One missed active pill: take it as soon as you remember (two in one day is fine) and no backup is needed. Two missed active pills in a row in week 1 or 2: take two pills as soon as possible and two the next day, then continue, and use condoms for 7 days. Two missed in week 3 (or three or more any time): follow the pack instructions — usually start a new pack — and use backup for 7 days. If you had unprotected sex after missing pills, ask your pharmacist about emergency contraception.
How effective are Yaz and Yasmin?
Taken perfectly, fewer than 1 to about 1.4 women in 100 become pregnant per year (the Yaz trial's Pearl Index was 1.41; Yasmin's trials reported under 1). With typical real-life use, including missed or late pills, the CDC estimates about 7 in 100 women on the pill become pregnant each year. Taking your pill at the same time daily, and using an app or alarm, closes most of that gap.
Can I take Yaz or Yasmin if I'm over 35?
Yes, if you don't smoke and don't have other clot or cardiovascular risk factors. Both labels carry a boxed warning: women over 35 who smoke must not use them, because smoking plus estrogen sharply raises the risk of heart attack and stroke. Migraine with aura, uncontrolled high blood pressure and a history of clots also rule them out.
Can I buy Yaz or Yasmin without a prescription?
You need a prescription, but you don't necessarily need a doctor visit. Under Connecticut law, specially trained pharmacists can prescribe hormonal birth control, and Arrow Pharmacy's pharmacists offer this: you complete the state's self-screening questionnaire, we check your blood pressure, and the pharmacist reviews your answers against the CDC's medical eligibility criteria before prescribing — or refers you to a clinician if a pill like Yaz isn't a safe fit. The only truly over-the-counter daily pill in the US is Opill (norgestrel), a progestin-only pill with no estrogen.
Does Yaz interact with other medicines?
Yes. Seizure drugs such as carbamazepine, phenytoin, topiramate and oxcarbazepine, the antibiotic rifampin, the antifungal griseofulvin and St. John's wort can make the pill less effective — use a backup method during use and for 28 days after. Because drospirenone can raise potassium, women taking ACE inhibitors, ARBs, potassium-sparing diuretics, potassium supplements, heparin, aldosterone blockers or daily NSAIDs should have potassium checked during the first cycle. The pill also lowers levels of lamotrigine. Certain hepatitis C combinations (ombitasvir / paritaprevir / ritonavir) are not allowed with it.
Is Yaz a combination pill? Does it have estrogen?
Yes. Yaz and Yasmin are combination pills with an estrogen (ethinyl estradiol) plus a progestin (drospirenone). If you need to avoid estrogen — for example because of migraine with aura or a clot history — ask about progestin-only options, including Slynd, which uses drospirenone alone.
Can I take Yaz in perimenopause?
Healthy non-smokers can generally use combination pills until menopause, and some prescribers use them to steady irregular cycles in perimenopause. Yaz is not indicated after menopause. Age brings more clot and cardiovascular risk, so your prescriber will weigh blood pressure, migraine history and other factors each year.
Sources
- YAZ (drospirenone and ethinyl estradiol) tablets — FDA-approved prescribing information — U.S. National Library of Medicine (DailyMed) / U.S. FDA
- YASMIN (drospirenone and ethinyl estradiol) tablets — FDA-approved prescribing information — U.S. National Library of Medicine (DailyMed) / U.S. FDA
- FDA Drug Safety Communication: Updated information about the risk of blood clots in women taking birth control pills containing drospirenone — U.S. Food and Drug Administration (2012)
- Contraception: How effective are birth control methods? — CDC
- Combination contraceptives: effects on weight — Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews (Gallo et al., 2014)
- Birth control benefits (preventive services coverage) — HealthCare.gov (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services)
- Conn. Gen. Stat. § 20-633k — Prescribing of emergency and hormonal contraceptives by licensed pharmacists — Connecticut General Statutes (via Justia)
- Pharmacist Contraceptive Prescribing (Public Act 23-52) — Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection
- NADAC (National Average Drug Acquisition Cost) — DROSPIRENONE-EE 3-0.02 MG TAB, YAZ 28 TABLET, YASMIN 28 TABLET — CMS
- openFDA Drug Shortages — U.S. FDA