Yaz interactions: Alcohol, medications, and other factors

Before you start treatment with Yaz, tell your doctor and pharmacist which prescription, over-the-counter, and other medications you take. By sharing this information with them, you may help prevent possible interactions. (To learn whether Yaz interacts with supplements, herbs, or vitamins, see the “Yaz and other interactions” section below.)

If you have questions about drug interactions that may affect you, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

Here’s a table of drugs that can interact with Yaz. Keep in mind that this table doesn’t include all drugs that may interact with Yaz. Some of these interactions are described in detail in “Drug interactions in depth” just below.

* To learn more about the side effects of Yaz, see the “Side effects” section in this article.
† For details about this interaction, see the “Drug interactions in depth” section below.

In some cases, factors or conditions could prevent your doctor from prescribing Yaz due to the risk of harm. These are known as contraindications. The contraindications of Yaz include:

Breast cancer

Doctors typically won’t prescribe Yaz for people with current or past breast cancer. This is because Yaz contains hormones that may encourage the cancer to grow or come back.

If you have breast cancer or had it in the past, talk with your doctor before taking Yaz. They can recommend another birth control option that doesn’t have this risk.

Kidney disease

Doctors typically won’t prescribe Yaz for people with kidney disease, including kidney failure. This is because kidney disease may increase the risk of side effects from Yaz, including a high blood potassium level.

If you have kidney disease, talk with your doctor before taking Yaz. They can prescribe a different birth control that’s safe for people with this condition. To learn more about the side effects of Yaz, see the “Side effects” section of this article.

Liver disease or liver tumors

Doctors typically won’t prescribe Yaz for people with liver disease, including liver failure. This is because liver disease may increase the risk of a high blood potassium level and other side effects from Yaz.

In addition, doctors typically won’t prescribe Yaz for people with liver tumors. This is because long-term treatment with Yaz may lead to rare cases of liver cancer. This risk may be higher in people with liver tumors.

If you have liver disease or liver tumors, talk with your doctor before taking Yaz. They can recommend a different birth control option. To learn more about the side effects of Yaz, see the “Side effects” section of this article.

Adrenal insufficiency

Doctors typically won’t prescribe Yaz for people with adrenal insufficiency. Having this condition can increase the risk of a high blood potassium level as a side effect of Yaz.

If you have adrenal insufficiency, talk with your doctor before starting treatment with Yaz. They can prescribe a form of birth control that doesn’t interact with this condition. To learn more about the side effects of Yaz, see the “Side effects” section of this article.

Irregular periods without a known cause

Doctors typically won’t prescribe Yaz for people with irregular periods that do not have a known cause. This is because Yaz may cause irregular periods as a side effect. If you already experience irregular periods, it may be hard to tell whether Yaz or another factor is causing them.

If you have irregular periods, talk with your doctor before taking Yaz. They can help decide whether Yaz or a different type of birth control may be the right treatment option. To learn more about the side effects of Yaz, see the “Side effects” section of this article.

Specific health factors that increase the risk of blood clots

Doctors typically won’t prescribe Yaz for people with specific factors that increase the risk of blood clots. This is because taking Yaz may increase the risk of blood clots. This risk may be even higher in people with specific health factors.

These factors include having:

• migraine episodes or certain headaches or being over 35 years old and smoking cigarettes*
• current or past blood clots in a deep vein or lung
• a genetic (inherited) condition that causes blood clots
• coronary artery disease
• cerebrovascular disease
• certain heart rhythm problems
• high blood pressure that isn’t managed
• type 1 or type 2 diabetes and damage to the eyes, kidneys, nerves, or blood vessels

Note: Before you start treatment with Yaz, it’s important to tell your doctor if any of these contraindications apply to you. They can determine whether to prescribe Yaz.

* Yaz has a boxed warning about the risk of cigarette smoking and serious cardiovascular events. This is the most serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). For details, see “Boxed warning” at the beginning of this article.

There are no known interactions between Yaz and alcohol.

If you have questions about drinking alcohol while taking Yaz, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Here’s a closer look at certain drug interactions of Yaz.

Certain antibiotics

Antibiotics are prescribed to treat bacterial infections.

Interaction result. Taking Yaz with certain antibiotics can make Yaz less effective or cause breakthrough bleeding. Other antibiotics can increase the risk of side effects from Yaz.

Interaction explained. Certain antibiotics may speed up the activity of an enzyme in your body that helps break down Yaz. (An enzyme is a type of protein.) If you take Yaz with these antibiotics, Yaz may leave your body faster than it should. This can lower the level of Yaz in your body, making it less effective or causing breakthrough bleeding.

Other antibiotics may slow down the activity of an enzyme that helps break down Yaz. If you take Yaz with one of these antibiotics, Yaz may leave your body slower than it should. This can raise the level of Yaz, increasing your risk of its side effects.

Examples of antibiotic drugs. Here are some antibiotics that may interact with Yaz:

• rifampin (Rifadin, Rimactane)
• clarithromycin
• erythromycin (Eryc, Ery-Tab, others)

Steps you or your doctor may take. If you take Yaz with an antibiotic, you can keep taking Yaz as your doctor has instructed. With certain antibiotics, your doctor may recommend using a backup method of birth control. Examples include a diaphragm or condom.

With other antibiotics, your doctor may recommend watching for side effects from Yaz. Examples include headache and mood changes. Your doctor can recommend what to do if you have side effects while taking Yaz with an antibiotic. To learn more about the side effects of Yaz, see the “Side effects” section in this article.

If you have other questions about Yaz and antibiotics, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Certain diuretics

Diuretics are prescribed to help remove excess sodium (salt) and water from your body.

Interaction result. Taking Yaz with certain diuretics can increase the risk of a high blood potassium level as a side effect of either drug.

Interaction explained. Yaz and certain diuretics can cause a high blood potassium level. Taking these medications together can raise the risk of this side effect even more.

Examples of diuretic drugs. Here are some diuretics that may interact with Yaz:

• spironolactone (CaroSpir, Aldactone)
• eplerenone (Inspra)
• triamterene (Dyrenium)

Steps you or your doctor may take. Before starting treatment with Yaz, tell your doctor if you take any diuretics. They can tell you whether it’s safe to take these medications together.

If your doctor prescribes Yaz with a diuretic that increases this risk, watch for symptoms of high potassium. Examples include muscle cramps, pain, and weakness. If you have these symptoms, tell your doctor right away. They can tell you whether it’s safe to keep taking Yaz with the diuretic.

If you have other questions about Yaz and diuretics, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Tricyclic antidepressants

Tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) are prescribed to treat depression and certain other conditions.

Interaction result. Taking Yaz with a TCA can increase the risk of side effects from the TCA.

Interaction explained. Yaz may slow the breakdown of TCAs in your body. This could lead to a higher level of the TCA in your body, increasing your risk of its side effects.

Examples of TCAs. Here are some TCAs that may interact with Yaz:

• imipramine (Tofranil)
• amitriptyline
• nortriptyline (Pamelor)

Steps you or your doctor may take. Before taking Yaz, tell your doctor if you’ve been prescribed a TCA. They can recommend whether it’s safe for you to take these medications together.

If your doctor tells you it’s safe, they may have you watch for side effects from TCAs. Common examples include blurred vision, constipation, and drowsiness. If you have these side effects while taking Yaz with a TCA, tell your doctor. They can advise you on what to do. It’s possible your doctor may recommend a different treatment option for your condition.

If you have other questions about Yaz and TCAs, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Yazmay have other interactions, such as with supplements, foods, vaccines, or even lab tests. You’ll find details below. Keep in mind that the following information does not include all other possible interactions with Yaz.

Yaz interactions with supplements

Yaz may interact with activated charcoal supplements. These supplements may be used for gas, diarrhea, and other conditions. Taking Yaz with activated charcoal could make the drug less effective.

Yaz may also interact with DHEA and soy isoflavone supplements. DHEA may be used for depression and other conditions. Soy isoflavones may be used for menopause and other conditions. Taking Yaz with either supplement could lead to varying effects. It’s possible for either supplement to make Yaz less effective or increase the risk of its side effects. To learn more about the side effects of Yaz, see the “Side effects” section in this article.

Before you start taking Yaz, tell your doctor and pharmacist which supplements, herbs, and vitamins you take. By sharing this information with them, you may help prevent possible interactions.

If you have questions about drug interactions that may affect you, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

Yaz interactions with herbs

Doctors will typically recommend that you avoid taking St. John’s wort with Yaz. St. John’s wort is an herbal supplement that may be used for depression and other conditions.

St. John’s wort may speed up the activity of an enzyme in your body that helps break down Yaz. (An enzyme is a type of protein.) By speeding up this enzyme, St. John’s wort can cause Yaz to break down more quickly. This may lead to a low level of Yaz in your system, making the drug less effective.

If your doctor prescribes Yaz with St. John’s wort, be sure to tell them if you have breakthrough bleeding. This could be a sign that Yaz isn’t working as well as it should. Your doctor may advise you to stop taking St. John’s wort. They may also recommend using a backup method of birth control* for at least 1 month after stopping the herb.

Your doctor may be able to suggest a treatment option other than St. John’s wort.

* Examples of backup birth control include a diaphragm or condom.

Yaz interactions with vitamins and minerals

Yaz may interact with vitamin C and potassium supplements.

Vitamin C may keep your body from breaking down Yaz as well as it should. This can lead to a high level of Yaz in your system. A higher level of Yaz may increase your risk of side effects from the drug.

Both Yaz and potassium supplements may cause a high blood potassium level. Taking Yaz with potassium supplements can increase the risk of this side effect. It’s also important to note that some multivitamins may contain minerals, such as potassium.

Before you start treatment with Yaz, tell your doctor and pharmacist which vitamins and minerals you take. They can advise you on whether Yaz may interact with any of them. To learn more about the side effects of Yaz, see the “Side effects” section in this article.

Yaz and food

Although vitamin C and potassium supplements may interact with Yaz, there were no reports of food interactions with the drug.

The amount of vitamin C and potassium in foods or drinks is typically small. These foods and drinks are also often divided into multiple servings. The quantity of vitamin C and potassium would typically be much less than what’s in a supplement.

If you have additional questions or want more information about eating certain foods during Yaz treatment, talk with your doctor.

Yaz and vaccines

There aren’t any known interactions between Yaz and vaccines. Be sure to talk with your doctor or pharmacist to find out whether you’re due for any vaccines.

Yaz interactions with lab tests

Yaz may interfere with the results of certain lab tests. These include:

• cholesterol test
• blood clotting test
• glucose tolerance test
• tests for certain binding proteins, such as thyroid-binding globulin

Because of this, it’s important to tell the person giving you the test that you’re taking Yaz. For additional information, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

YAZ INTERACTION WITH CANNABIS OR CBD

Cannabis (often called marijuana) and cannabis products, such as cannabidiol (CBD), have been specifically reported to interact with Yaz.

Taking Yaz with cannabis or cannabis products could make Yaz less effective.

Before you start treatment with Yaz, tell your doctor and pharmacist if you use cannabis. By sharing this information with them, you may help prevent possible interactions.

Note: Cannabis is illegal at a federal level but is legal in many U.S. states to varying degrees.

Certain medical conditions and other factors may increase the risk of interactions with Yaz. Before you take this drug, be sure to talk with your doctor about your health history. Yaz may not be the right treatment option if you have certain medical conditions or other factors affecting your health.

Health conditions or factors that might interact with Yaz include:

• Breast cancer. Doctors typically won’t prescribe Yaz for people with current or past breast cancer. For details, see the “When to avoid Yaz” section above.
• Kidney disease. Doctors typically won’t prescribe Yaz for people with kidney disease, including kidney failure. For details, see the “When to avoid Yaz” section above.
• Liver disease or liver tumors. Doctors typically won’t prescribe Yaz for people with liver disease or liver tumors. For details, see the “When to avoid Yaz” section above.
• Adrenal insufficiency. Doctors typically won’t prescribe Yaz for people with adrenal insufficiency. For details, see the “When to avoid Yaz” section above.
• Irregular periods without a known cause. Doctors typically won’t prescribe Yaz for people with irregular periods that do not have a known cause. For details, see the “When to avoid Yaz” section above.
• Factors that increase the risk of blood clots. Doctors typically won’t prescribe Yaz for people with specific factors that increase the risk of blood clots. For details, see the “When to avoid Yaz” section above.
• Melasma during pregnancy. Before taking Yaz, tell your doctor if you’ve ever had melasma during pregnancy. Your doctor may recommend that you avoid UV or sunlight while you’re taking Yaz. This is because the drug may cause skin sensitivity to UV or sunlight in people who’ve had melasma during pregnancy.
• Hereditary angioedema (HAE). Yaz may worsen swelling and fluid retention in people with HAE. Before taking Yaz, tell your doctor if you have this condition. They may recommend alternative treatments to Yaz.
• Allergic reaction. If you’ve had an allergic reaction to Yaz or any of its ingredients, your doctor will likely not prescribe Yaz. Taking the drug could cause another allergic reaction. You can ask them about other treatments that may be better choices for you.
• Breastfeeding. Taking Yaz isn’t typically recommended while breastfeeding. Yaz passes into breast milk, but it isn’t known what effects Yaz may have on a child who is breastfed. Yaz may also reduce the amount of breast milk your body produces. If you’re breastfeeding or planning to, talk with your doctor before taking Yaz. They can talk with you about treatment options and ways to feed your child.
• Pregnancy. Doctors won’t prescribe Yaz during pregnancy. This is because the drug is prescribed to help prevent pregnancy. Yaz may also be prescribed to treat acne and premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD). If you have acne or PMDD and are pregnant or planning to become pregnant, tell your doctor before starting Yaz. They can recommend other treatment options that are less likely to affect pregnancy.
• Depression. Before starting Yaz treatment, tell your doctor if you have depression or had it in the past. Yaz may cause depression as a side effect.* This side effect may be more likely or more severe if you have current or past depression. Your doctor can tell you whether Yaz is a safe treatment option.

* To learn more about the side effects of Yaz, see the “Side effects” section in this article.

You can take certain steps to help prevent interactions with Yaz. Your doctor and pharmacist are key resources, so reach out to them before starting treatment. For example, you should plan to do the following:

• Let them know if you drink alcohol or use cannabis.
• Tell them about any other medications you take, as well as any supplements, herbs, and vitamins.
• Create a medication list, which your doctor and pharmacist can help you fill out.

It’s also important to read the Yaz label and other paperwork that may come with the drug. The label may have colored stickers that mention an interaction. And the paperwork, sometimes called the medication guide or patient package insert, may contain details about interactions.

If Yaz doesn’t come with paperwork, you can ask your pharmacist to print a copy. If you need help reading or understanding this information, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

You can also help prevent interactions with Yaz by taking it exactly as your doctor prescribes.

Besides learning about interactions, you may want to find out more about Yaz. These resources might help:

• Overview of Yaz. For a general overview of Yaz, you can read this article.
• Dosage specifics. To learn about the dosage of Yaz, see this article.
• Facts about your condition. To learn more about Yaz’s uses, view our women’s health and dermatology hubs.

Disclaimer: Medical News Today has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.