What Is Loryna 28 Day? Uses, Dosage, and What You Need to Know in 2026

Loryna 28 Day is a combination oral contraceptive (birth control pill) that's been used by millions of women across the United States. It's a generic of the brand-name Yaz and contains two synthetic hormones: drospirenone (a progestin) and ethinyl estradiol (an estrogen). Beyond contraception, Loryna is one of only a handful of oral contraceptives FDA-approved to treat PMDD and acne. Here's a complete patient guide.

What Is Loryna 28 Day?

Loryna 28 Day is a branded generic of Yaz (drospirenone and ethinyl estradiol). Each 28-day pack contains:

24 peach active tablets — each containing 3 mg drospirenone (DRSP) and 0.02 mg (20 mcg) ethinyl estradiol (EE)

4 white inert (placebo) tablets — containing no active hormones

Loryna is manufactured by Laboratorios Leon Farma in Spain and distributed in the U.S. by Xiromed, LLC. It received initial FDA approval (for the active ingredient combination) in 2001. It is classified as a low-dose oral contraceptive because its ethinyl estradiol content (20 mcg) is at or below the low-dose threshold.

What Is Loryna Used For?

Loryna has three FDA-approved indications:

Contraception (pregnancy prevention) — The primary use. Loryna is about 91% effective with typical use (1-9 unintended pregnancies per 100 women per year) and over 99% effective with perfect use.

Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD) — For women who also choose to use oral contraception. PMDD is a severe form of PMS involving markedly depressed mood, anxiety, mood swings, and physical symptoms like bloating and breast tenderness in the 10-14 days before menstruation.

Moderate acne vulgaris — In women who are at least 14 years old, who have started having menstrual periods, and who also want to use birth control. Clinical studies showed up to 46% fewer acne spots versus 31% with placebo after about 6 months.

How Do You Take Loryna 28 Day?

Loryna has a 24/4 dosing schedule: 24 active pills followed by 4 placebo pills. Here's how to take it:

Take one tablet daily at the same time each day, in the order shown on the blister pack

Start on Day 1 of your period OR the first Sunday after your period begins

If starting on Sunday Start, use backup contraception for the first 7 days

Can be taken with or without food; taking with food or at bedtime may reduce nausea

Start your next pack the day after completing your current one — no gap in pill-taking

Withdrawal bleeding typically occurs within 3 days of finishing the active pills

What Makes Loryna Different from Other Birth Control Pills?

Several features set Loryna apart from most other combination oral contraceptives:

Unique progestin: Drospirenone is a spironolactone analogue with anti-mineralocorticoid and anti-androgenic properties — it doesn't cause water retention like some older progestins, and it has benefits for acne and PMDD.

24/4 dosing schedule: The shorter 4-day hormone-free interval (vs. the traditional 7-day break) reduces hormone-withdrawal symptoms and is key to Loryna's PMDD efficacy.

Low estrogen dose: At 20 mcg of ethinyl estradiol, Loryna qualifies as a "low-dose" pill, which may reduce estrogen-related side effects like nausea and breast tenderness compared to higher-dose formulations.

Triple FDA indication: One of very few oral contraceptives with FDA approval for contraception, PMDD, AND acne.

Who Should Not Take Loryna 28 Day?

Loryna is contraindicated in people who:

Smoke and are over 35 years old

Have kidney disease, adrenal insufficiency, or a high risk of arterial/venous clots

Have uncontrolled high blood pressure, coronary artery disease, or liver disease/cancer

Have a history of blood clots, stroke, or heart attack

Have or have had breast, uterine, cervical, or vaginal cancer

Are taking certain Hepatitis C medications (ombitasvir/paritaprevir/ritonavir with or without dasabuvir)

Bottom Line

Loryna 28 Day is a versatile, low-dose oral contraceptive with unique benefits for women dealing with PMDD and acne alongside their contraceptive needs. If you're having trouble filling your prescription, medfinder can help you find a pharmacy near you with it in stock. Want to understand how Loryna actually works in your body? Read our guide: How Does Loryna Work? Mechanism of Action Explained.