Zarah is a combination birth control pill containing female hormones that prevent ovulation (the release of an egg from an ovary). Zarah also causes changes in your cervical mucus and uterine lining, making it harder for sperm to reach the uterus and harder for a fertilized egg to attach to the uterus. medicine is also used to treat moderate acne in women who are at least 14 years old and have started having menstrual periods, and who wish to use birth control pills. Warnings Do not use if you are pregnant or if you recently had a baby. You should not take this medicine if you have: an adrenal gland disorder, kidney disease, uncontrolled high blood pressure, heart disease, coronary artery disease, circulation problems (especially with diabetes), undiagnosed vaginal bleeding, liver disease or liver cancer, severe migraine headaches 1. Treatments 2. Birth Control 3. Zarah PrintSave Zarah Generic name: drospirenone and ethinyl estradiol [ dro-SPY-re-nown, ETH-in-il, ESS-tra-dy-ol ] Brand names: Gianvi, Jasmiel, Loryna, Nikki, Ocella, ... show all 10 brands Drug class: Contraceptives Medically reviewed by Drugs.com on Apr 1, 2022. Written by Cerner Multum. • Uses • Warnings • Before taking • Side effects • Interactions • Dosage What is Zarah? Zarah is a combination birth control pill containing female hormones that prevent ovulation (the release of an egg from an ovary). Zarah also causes changes in your cervical mucus and uterine lining, making it harder for sperm to reach the uterus and harder for a fertilized egg to attach to the uterus. Zarah is used as contraception to prevent pregnancy. This medicine is also used to treat moderate acne in women who are at least 14 years old and have started having menstrual periods, and who wish to use birth control pills. Yaz is also used to treat the symptoms of premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD), such as anxiety, depression, irritability, trouble concentrating, lack of energy, sleep or appetite changes, breast tenderness, joint or muscle pain, headache, and weight gain. Zarah may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide. Warnings Do not use if you are pregnant or if you recently had a baby. You should not take this medicine if you have: an adrenal gland disorder, kidney disease, uncontrolled high blood pressure, heart disease, coronary artery disease, circulation problems (especially with diabetes), undiagnosed vaginal bleeding, liver disease or liver cancer, severe migraine headaches, if you also take certain hepatitis C medication, if you will have major surgery, if you smoke and are over 35, or if you have ever had a heart attack, a stroke, a blood clot, jaundice caused by pregnancy or birth control pills, or cancer of the breast, uterus/cervix, or vagina. Taking this medicine can increase your risk of blood clots, stroke, or heart attack. Smoking can greatly increase your risk of blood clots, stroke, or heart attack. You should not take this medicine if you smoke and are over 35 years old. Related/similar drugs sertraline, fluoxetine, doxycycline, Zoloft, Prozac, clindamycin topical, paroxetine Before taking this medicine Taking Zarah can increase your risk of blood clots, stroke, or heart attack. You are even more at risk if you have high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol, or if you are overweight. Your risk of stroke or blood clot is highest during your first year of taking birth control pills. Smoking can greatly increase your risk of blood clots, stroke, or heart attack. Your risk increases the older you are and the more you smoke. You should not take this medicine if you smoke and are over 35 years old. You should not take this medicine if you have: an adrenal gland disorder; kidney disease; untreated or uncontrolled high blood pressure; heart disease (coronary artery disease, history of heart attack, stroke, or blood clot); an increased risk of having blood clots due to a heart problem or a hereditary blood disorder; What happens if I miss a dose? Follow the patient instructions provided with your medicine. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you do not understand these instructions. Missing a pill increases your risk of becoming pregnant. If you miss 1 active pill, take 2 pills on the day that you remember. Then take 1 pill per day for the rest of the pack. If you miss 2 active pills in a row in Week 1 or 2, take 2 pills per day for 2 days in a row. Then take 1 pill per day for the rest of the pack. Use back-up birth control for at least 7 days following the missed pills. If you miss 2 active pills in a row in Week 3, throw out the rest of the pack and start a new pack the same day if you are a Day 1 starter. If you are a Sunday starter, keep taking a pill every day until Sunday. On Sunday, throw out the rest of the pack and start a new pack that day. Zarah side effects Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat. Common side effects of Zarah may include: • nausea, vomiting; • breast tenderness; • headache, mood changes, feeling tired or irritable; • weight gain; or • changes in your menstrual periods, decreased sex drive