Comprehensive medication guide to Yaz 28 including estimated pricing, availability information, side effects, and how to find it in stock at your local pharmacy.
Estimated Insurance Pricing
$0 copay for generic drospirenone/ethinyl estradiol under the ACA contraceptive mandate for most commercial plans; brand Yaz 28 may require prior authorization with typical copays of $0–$30 if covered.
Estimated Cash Pricing
$112–$226 retail for brand-name Yaz 28; as low as $6–$32 per pack for generic drospirenone/ethinyl estradiol with GoodRx or SingleCare coupons for a 28-day supply.
Medfinder Findability Score
85/100
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Yaz 28 is a combination oral contraceptive pill (birth control pill) manufactured by Bayer HealthCare Pharmaceuticals. It contains two synthetic hormones — drospirenone (a progestin) and ethinyl estradiol (an estrogen) — and comes in a 28-day blister pack containing 24 active pink tablets and 4 white placebo tablets.
Yaz 28 is FDA-approved for three indications: prevention of pregnancy (contraception), treatment of premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD), and treatment of moderate acne in females aged 14 and older who also want oral contraception. It is also used off-label for polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).
Generic versions of Yaz 28 (drospirenone/ethinyl estradiol 3 mg/0.02 mg, 28-day pack) have been available since 2010 and include Loryna, Nikki, Gianvi, Syeda, Jasmiel, Lo-Zumandimine, Vestura, Ocella, and Zarah.
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Yaz 28 prevents pregnancy through three complementary mechanisms: suppressing ovulation (preventing the release of an egg from the ovaries), thickening cervical mucus to block sperm from reaching an egg, and thinning the uterine lining to reduce the chance of implantation. Clinical studies showed more than 90% ovulation inhibition with the Yaz 28 formulation.
Drospirenone is unique among progestins because it is a spironolactone analogue with anti-mineralocorticoid and anti-androgenic activity. Its anti-mineralocorticoid effect reduces water retention and bloating, which contributes to its effectiveness for PMDD. Its anti-androgenic activity blocks androgen receptors in oil glands, reducing sebum production and hormonal acne.
Yaz 28 uses a 24/4 regimen (24 active pills, 4 placebo pills) rather than the traditional 21/7 format. The shorter hormone-free interval provides more consistent ovulation suppression and a larger contraceptive margin of safety.
3 mg / 0.02 mg — tablet (28-day pack: 24 active + 4 placebo)
Standard dose for contraception, PMDD, and acne; take 1 tablet daily at the same time each day
Yaz 28 is generally widely available in 2026 and is not on the FDA Drug Shortage Database. Multiple manufacturers produce generic versions (drospirenone/ethinyl estradiol 3 mg/0.02 mg), making national supply stable. Most patients can fill their prescription without significant difficulty at major chain pharmacies, grocery store pharmacies, and independent pharmacies.
However, individual pharmacy stock-outs do occur due to just-in-time inventory practices, brand vs. generic stocking differences, and regional wholesale variability. Patients who specify the brand name ("Yaz") may have a harder time than those willing to accept any generic. Asking for "drospirenone/ethinyl estradiol 3 mg/0.02 mg 28-day pack" gives pharmacists maximum flexibility.
If your pharmacy is out of Yaz 28, medfinder calls pharmacies near you to find which ones have it in stock and texts you the results — so you don't have to call around yourself.
Because Yaz 28 is not a controlled substance, it can be prescribed by any licensed prescriber with the authority to write prescriptions. There are no DEA scheduling requirements, special registration requirements, or quantity limits that apply.
OB/GYNs — most common prescribers; ideal for patients also seeking gynecological care or PMDD/acne management
Primary care physicians (family medicine, internal medicine) — routinely prescribe oral contraceptives
Nurse practitioners (NPs) — full prescribing authority in most states; common in women's health and primary care
Physician assistants (PAs) — prescribe under physician oversight in all states
Dermatologists — may prescribe for hormonal acne
Telehealth birth control platforms (Nurx, The Pill Club, Wisp, Planned Parenthood Online) can also prescribe Yaz 28 after an online consultation, making access easier than ever. In states with pharmacy prescribing laws (California, Oregon, Colorado, New Mexico, and others), pharmacists can prescribe hormonal contraceptives directly without a separate doctor visit.
No. Yaz 28 (drospirenone/ethinyl estradiol) is not a controlled substance and is not scheduled under the DEA Controlled Substances Act. It is a prescription-only medication (Rx-only), meaning you need a prescription from a licensed healthcare provider, but it does not have the special prescribing restrictions, fill limits, or quantity limits that apply to scheduled controlled substances.
Because Yaz 28 is not controlled, prescriptions can be called in or sent electronically without the additional DEA requirements that apply to controlled substances. Refills can be authorized on the original prescription (subject to state law), and prescriptions can be transferred between pharmacies. In states with pharmacy prescribing laws, pharmacists can even prescribe hormonal contraceptives directly.
Most side effects of Yaz 28 are mild and often improve after the first 1–3 months of use:
Irregular bleeding or spotting (8–25% of users in clinical trials)
Nausea (reduced by taking after evening meal or at bedtime)
Headaches
Breast tenderness
Mood changes or mood swings (reported in 2.3% of clinical trial participants)
Decreased sex drive
Serious side effects requiring immediate medical attention:
Blood clots (DVT, PE) — risk may be up to 3x higher than levonorgestrel-containing COCs
Stroke or heart attack — risk increased with smoking, especially in women over 35
High potassium (hyperkalemia) — drospirenone can raise potassium; important in patients on ACE inhibitors, ARBs, or diuretics
Liver problems (jaundice, dark urine, abdominal pain)
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Yasmin
Same drospirenone 3 mg but higher ethinyl estradiol (0.03 mg) in a 21/7 regimen; not FDA-approved for PMDD or acne; requires new prescription
Beyaz
Identical to Yaz 28 with added levomefolate calcium; FDA-approved for contraception, PMDD, and acne; closest therapeutic alternative
Sprintec
Norgestimate/ethinyl estradiol 0.25/0.035 mg; widely available and affordable generic COC; FDA-approved for contraception and acne but lacks drospirenone's PMDD benefits
Lo Loestrin Fe
Norethindrone acetate/ethinyl estradiol ultra-low estrogen option; good for estrogen-sensitive patients; widely available generic
Prefer Yaz 28? We can find it.
Rifampin
majorSignificantly reduces ethinyl estradiol and drospirenone levels; requires backup non-hormonal contraception during use and for 28 days after
St. John's Wort
majorHerbal supplement that reduces contraceptive hormone levels; can cause breakthrough bleeding and reduce efficacy
Carbamazepine / Phenytoin / Phenobarbital
majorAntiepileptics that induce CYP3A4 metabolism and reduce oral contraceptive efficacy; may require alternative contraception
Spironolactone / Potassium-sparing diuretics
majorBoth spironolactone and drospirenone raise potassium; additive hyperkalemia risk; potassium monitoring required
ACE inhibitors / ARBs
moderateRaise potassium levels; combined with drospirenone's anti-mineralocorticoid effect, hyperkalemia risk increases; serum potassium should be checked in first cycle
Lamotrigine
majorYaz 28 can significantly reduce lamotrigine blood levels; stopping Yaz can cause lamotrigine levels to spike; requires close neurologist coordination
NSAIDs (long-term daily use)
moderateDaily long-term NSAID use can raise potassium; additive risk with drospirenone; occasional use is generally safe
Bosentan
moderatePulmonary hypertension medication that reduces contraceptive efficacy; use additional non-hormonal contraception
Yaz 28 is a well-established combination oral contraceptive that offers unique advantages for patients who need more than just pregnancy prevention — particularly those with PMDD or hormonal acne. The anti-mineralocorticoid and anti-androgenic properties of drospirenone distinguish it from most other birth control pills.
In 2026, Yaz 28 and its generic equivalents are widely available. Cost can be minimized by using the generic (as low as $6/month with discount cards) and ensuring your insurance covers it under the ACA contraceptive mandate. If you occasionally have trouble filling it at your usual pharmacy, asking for any generic drospirenone/ethinyl estradiol 3 mg/0.02 mg resolves most stock issues immediately.
If you're still having trouble locating Yaz 28 at a pharmacy near you, medfinder calls pharmacies in your area to find which ones have it in stock and texts you the results — no phone calls, no wasted trips.
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