What is "drospirenone"

n. A synthetic progestin typically used in birth control.

Drospirenone ( INN, USAN), also known as 1,2-dihydrospirorenone, is a steroidal progestin of the spirolactone group used in birth control pills and postmenopausal hormone replacement therapy pills.

It is sold as a combined oral contraceptive under the brand names Yasmin (US, EU, Latin America), Jasmine (France), Yarina (Russia) in a dosage containing drospirenone 3 mg/ ethinylestradiol 30 µg. In the United States, Bayer Schering released a pill based on Yasmin with the B vitamin folate (B), which is marketed under the names Safyral and Beyaz.

Worldwide it is also sold under the brand names Yaz and Yasminelle in a lower dosage containing drospirenone 3 mg/ ethinylestradiol 20 µg.