Comprehensive medication guide to Drospirenone/Ethinyl Estradiol including estimated pricing, availability information, side effects, and how to find it in stock at your local pharmacy.
Estimated Insurance Pricing
$0 copay on most commercial insurance plans under ACA mandates for covered generics; $5–$30 copay if brand-name or non-preferred generic; Tier 1–2 on most formularies.
Estimated Cash Pricing
$125–$156 retail for generic per 28-day pack; as low as $6–$30 with GoodRx or SingleCare coupons. Brand-name Yaz retails for ~$227; brand Yasmin ~$135–$155.
Medfinder Findability Score
85/100
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Drospirenone/ethinyl estradiol is a combination oral contraceptive containing two synthetic hormones: drospirenone (a fourth-generation progestin) and ethinyl estradiol (a synthetic estrogen). It is available under brand names including Yaz, Yasmin, and over a dozen FDA-approved generic versions including Loryna, Ocella, Syeda, Nikki, Gianvi, Vestura, and Zarah.
It comes in two formulations: 3 mg/0.02 mg EE (24-day active regimen, e.g., Yaz and equivalents) approved for contraception, PMDD, and moderate acne; and 3 mg/0.03 mg EE (21-day active regimen, e.g., Yasmin and equivalents) approved for contraception only.
Drospirenone is unique among oral contraceptive progestins because it has both antiandrogenic activity (helpful for acne and hirsutism) and antimineralocorticoid activity (similar to spironolactone, reducing water retention and bloating). This profile makes it one of the most pharmacologically distinctive oral contraceptives available.
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The primary mechanism of contraception is ovulation suppression. The combination of drospirenone and ethinyl estradiol inhibits the hypothalamic-pituitary axis, suppressing FSH and LH secretion and preventing the LH surge needed to trigger ovulation. Without egg release, fertilization cannot occur.
Secondary mechanisms include cervical mucus thickening (which impairs sperm penetration) and endometrial thinning (which reduces the likelihood of implantation). Drospirenone's antiandrogenic action blocks androgen receptors and reduces sebum production, helping to clear acne. Its antimineralocorticoid activity (equivalent to ~25 mg spironolactone) blocks aldosterone receptors, reducing sodium and water retention — which addresses the bloating component of PMDD.
An important clinical implication of drospirenone's antimineralocorticoid activity is its potential to raise potassium levels (hyperkalemia). Patients taking ACE inhibitors, ARBs, potassium-sparing diuretics, or chronic NSAIDs need potassium monitoring during the first treatment cycle.
3 mg / 0.02 mg — tablet
24 active + 4 placebo tablets (28-day pack). Yaz-type. Approved for contraception, PMDD, and moderate acne.
3 mg / 0.03 mg — tablet
21 active + 7 placebo tablets (28-day pack). Yasmin-type. Approved for contraception only.
As of 2026, drospirenone/ethinyl estradiol is not on the FDA's official drug shortage list. Generic versions are manufactured by multiple companies and are broadly available nationwide. The overall findability score is 85 out of 100 — generally available with minor stocking gaps.
However, individual pharmacy stock-outs do occur, primarily because the drug is sold under more than 12 different brand and generic names split across two distinct formulations. A pharmacy may carry the 3mg/0.03mg formulation but not the 3mg/0.02mg, or may stock Loryna but not Gianvi. Patients who encounter a stock-out often simply need to check 1-2 other nearby pharmacies or ask for an equivalent generic brand.
If you're having trouble finding your medication in stock, medfinder calls pharmacies near you to find which ones can fill your prescription — saving you hours of calling around yourself.
Drospirenone/ethinyl estradiol is not a controlled substance, so any licensed prescriber with appropriate clinical training can write a prescription. No special DEA registration is required.
OB/GYN (most common prescriber)
Primary Care Physicians (Family Medicine, Internal Medicine)
Nurse Practitioners (full prescribing authority in all 50 states)
Physician Assistants
Certified Nurse Midwives
Dermatologists (for acne indication)
Psychiatrists (for PMDD indication, in some practices)
Telehealth availability is excellent — drospirenone/ethinyl estradiol can be prescribed via telehealth in all 50 states. Services like Nurx, The Pill Club, Wisp, and Hers specialize in contraception and can prescribe and deliver to most U.S. addresses.
No. Drospirenone/ethinyl estradiol is not a controlled substance. It is not scheduled by the DEA under any schedule (I through V). This means it can be prescribed by any licensed prescriber without special DEA registration, transmitted electronically, called in to any pharmacy, and refilled for up to 12 months at a time (depending on state regulations).
Telehealth providers can prescribe it in all 50 states, and patients do not need to schedule a controlled substance-style in-person visit. The non-scheduled status makes access significantly easier than for medications like stimulants or opioids.
Common side effects (usually mild and temporary):
Nausea (especially in the first month; take with food or at bedtime to reduce)
Headache
Breast tenderness
Breakthrough bleeding or spotting (common in first 1-3 months)
Mild weight changes (often water retention rather than fat gain)
Mood changes or decreased libido
Serious side effects (seek emergency care):
Blood clots (DVT, pulmonary embolism): sudden leg pain/swelling, chest pain, shortness of breath
Stroke: sudden severe headache, face/arm weakness, slurred speech, vision changes
Heart attack: chest pressure, sweating, nausea, left arm pain
Hyperkalemia (high potassium): muscle weakness, irregular heartbeat — especially in patients on ACE inhibitors or ARBs
Liver problems: jaundice, upper right abdominal pain, dark urine
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Norgestimate/Ethinyl Estradiol (Sprintec, Ortho Tri-Cyclen)
Third-gen progestin; also FDA-approved for acne; lower androgenicity; generally lower VTE risk than drospirenone-containing pills.
Levonorgestrel/Ethinyl Estradiol (Levora, Seasonale)
Second-gen progestin; lowest VTE risk among COCs; most widely available and affordable; more androgenic than drospirenone.
Norethindrone/Ethinyl Estradiol (Loestrin, Junel Fe)
Very affordable and widely stocked; good tolerability profile; moderately androgenic; iron-containing versions available.
Etonogestrel/Ethinyl Estradiol Vaginal Ring (NuvaRing, EluRyng)
Monthly vaginal ring for patients who prefer not to take a daily pill; lower systemic hormone exposure; not approved for PMDD or acne.
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Rifampin
majorPotent CYP3A4 inducer — significantly reduces contraceptive efficacy. Use backup contraception.
St. John's Wort
majorCYP3A4 inducer — reduces contraceptive efficacy and can cause breakthrough bleeding.
Phenytoin / Carbamazepine / Topiramate
majorAnticonvulsants that induce CYP3A4 — reduce contraceptive efficacy. Use additional barrier method.
ACE Inhibitors (Lisinopril, Enalapril)
moderateCombined with drospirenone's antimineralocorticoid activity, these can raise potassium to dangerous levels. Monitor serum K+ in first cycle.
ARBs (Losartan, Valsartan)
moderateSimilar to ACE inhibitors — increased hyperkalemia risk with drospirenone.
Spironolactone / Amiloride (potassium-sparing diuretics)
majorAmiloride combination is contraindicated due to hyperkalemia risk. Spironolactone combination requires close potassium monitoring.
Ombitasvir/Paritaprevir/Ritonavir (Hepatitis C drugs)
majorContraindicated — causes ALT elevations >5x ULN. Discontinue drospirenone/EE before starting this regimen.
Tranexamic acid
majorContraindicated — combination significantly increases thrombotic risk.
Chronic NSAIDs (Ibuprofen, Naproxen)
moderateRegular use raises potassium levels when combined with drospirenone. Monitor K+ in high-risk patients.
Grapefruit juice
minorMay modestly increase ethinyl estradiol levels by inhibiting CYP3A4. Avoid large increases in grapefruit consumption.
Drospirenone/ethinyl estradiol is a versatile, widely used oral contraceptive with a unique pharmacological profile that sets it apart from older birth control pills. Its combination of antiandrogenic and antimineralocorticoid properties makes it particularly beneficial for patients managing hormonal acne, PMDD, or bloating alongside contraception.
The medication is not in a national shortage as of 2026, and generic versions are available from multiple manufacturers at low cost — especially with discount programs. The main access challenge is navigating the dozen-plus generic brand names across two distinct formulations. Knowing which generics are equivalent to your specific formulation is the key to avoiding frustrating pharmacy stock-out situations.
If you're having trouble filling your drospirenone/ethinyl estradiol prescription, medfinder can help — enter your medication and zip code and we'll call local pharmacies to find which ones have it in stock.
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