Yaz birth control pills are different than most other birth control pills because they contain drospirenone as an active ingredient. Drospirenone can help prevent pregnancy, but it also may raise the levels of potassium in the body for some women. While this is usually not a cause for concern, women with a history of liver disease, kidney disease or other adrenal gland disorders should talk to a doctor before taking this medication.
Yaz
Women typically take Yaz birth control pills once a day to prevent pregnancy. Potential side effects include breast tenderness or swelling, changes in appetite or weight, vaginal discharge or itching, changes to your menstrual period, changes to facial skin, hair loss or growth and problems with contact lenses. Serious side effects, although not likely, may also occur. These include chest pain, pain spreading in the arm or shoulder, sudden numbness or weakness, vision problems, slurred speech, severe stomach pain, jaundice, a breast lump or significant changes in mental state. If you experience any of these serious side effects while taking Yaz, call a doctor immediately.
Potassium
Adult women typically need about 4.7 g of potassium a day to maintain the health of the heart and digestive system. Most can meet this requirement by consuming potassium-rich foods such as tomatoes, bananas, citrus juice, salmon and chicken. Potassium supplements are not usually necessary but may prove beneficial in certain situations. However, since Yaz birth control pills may increase potassium levels in the body, taking a potassium supplement while taking Yaz is usually not recommended. Talk to your doctor if you have specific questions about your potassium intake while taking Yaz.
Hyperkalemia
A condition called hyperkalemia occurs when potassium levels are elevated, which may be fatal if left untreated. Although most women who take Yaz birth control pills do not develop this condition, some do. Since hyperkalemia is so serious and often produces no noticeable symptoms, women who take Yaz need to have their potassium levels checked after the first cycle of the medication to ensure that they are not at risk. If potassium levels are above normal, your doctor may recommend you switching to another brand or type of birth control.
Warning
Yaz not only interacts negatively with potassium supplements, but the medication also may negatively interact with other medications or supplements. Aminoglutethimide, antibiotics, ACE inhibitors, angiotensin II receptor blockers, barbiturates, cyclosporine, nonsteriodal anti-inflammatory drugs, certain seizure medications, heparin, protease inhibitors, modafinil, St. John's wort, potassium-sparing diuretics, theophylline and selegiline are just some medications and supplements known to negatively interact with Yaz birth control pills. Notify your doctor or pharmacist of all your current medications and supplements before beginning something new to avoid a potentially harmful drug interaction.
References
- Bayer HealthCare: Yaz Prescribing Information
- Drugs.com: Yaz
- PubMed Health; Hyperkalemia; David C. Dugdale; November 2009
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Potassium
- Institute of Medicine of the National Academies; Dietary Reference Intakes; Recommended Dietary Allowances and Adequate Intakes
- "The Journal of Clinical Pharmacology"; Effect of Drospirenone on Serum Potassium and Drospirenone...; Rolf Schurmann et al.; April 2006
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