A recent study publihed in Contraception journal warns that physicians (whether or not they prescribe oral contraceptives) should be aware that some commonly prescribed medications used for raising potassium may interact with the birth control pills, Yaz or Yasmin (which contain the hormones: drospirenone and ethinyl estradiol).
The progestin drospirenone, found in Yaz and Yasmin, may increase a woman's potassium levels and have interactions with other drugs that increase potassium - such as certain medications for high blood pressure or heart conditions, anti-inflammatory drugs (like Ibuprofen), and some 'water pills' (diuretics). The product label for these birth control pill brands includes a warning that advises physicians who prescribe these pills of the need to monitor serum potassium levels in the first month for patients who are also being treated with any drug associated with potassium retention.
The researchers found that 17.6% of the women studied were using both Yasmin and an interacting drug, and 29% of this overlap in use occurred within a month of beginning the birth control pill. Another important result of this study showed that 18% of women using both prescriptions had their potassium-increasing medication prescribed by family practice or internal medicine physicians and their Yasmin prescribed by their OB/GYN. Additionally, 17.9% of women were prescribed both medications by physicians of the same specialty (family practice, OB/GYN, or internal medicine specialists).
Finally, the researchers stress the importance that physicians ask women patients if they are using Yaz or Yasmin before prescribing any potassium-raising drugs. Also, physicians who prescribe any drug containing drospirenone and ethinyl estradiol should consistently ask their patients about potassium-raising drug use.
Given the popularity of Yaz and Yasmin, more and more women are using this contraceptive method. Therfore, it is important that both women and physicians be aware that the progestin found in these oral contraceptives could potentially increase potassium levels.
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Source: McAdams, M., Staffa, J. A., & J. Dal Pan, G. J. (2007). The concomitant prescribing of ethinyl estradiol/drospirenone and potentially interacting drugs. Contraception, 76(4), 278-281. Retrieved 11/30/07, from ScienceDirect Elsevier Science Journals database.
Photo © 2007 Dawn Stacey licensed to About.com, Inc.
