Tydemy
Safyral is a combination oral contraceptive (COC) that's taken by mouth every day. It's different from many other COCs because it contains folic acid, a supplement useful for blood health and during pregnancy. Safyral contains slightly more estrogen than other birth control options that are similar, so it might cause more side effects.
What is Safyral?
What is Safyral used for?
Prevention of pregnancy
Folate supplementation
How Safyral works
Safyral is a combination oral contraceptive (COC) that contains 2 hormones: drospirenone (a progestin) and ethinyl estradiol (an estrogen). Both hormones work together to prevent pregnancy by:
Suppressing ovulation (release of an egg from the ovary)
Changing cervical mucus to block sperm movement
Creating an unfriendly environment for the fertilized egg by changing the lining in the uterus (womb)
The third ingredient in Safyral is levomefolate. Levomefolate is a version of folic acid (also known as folate), a vitamin that helps prevent certain birth defects and anemia (low red blood cells).
Drug Facts
Get your GoodRx coupon
What are the side effects of Safyral?
Common Side Effects
- Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) (12%)
- Headache / migraine (10%)
- Breast pain / tenderness / discomfort (8%)
- Nausea / vomiting (4%)
Other Side Effects
- Stomach pain / tenderness / discomfort
- Mood changes
- Depression
Serious Side Effects
- Heart attack: chest pain, stomach discomfort, sweating, nausea, dizziness
- Stroke: sudden numbness or weakness in the arm, leg, or face, confusion, trouble seeing, headache, difficulty walking
- Deep vein thrombosis (blood clot in the leg): leg cramp, swelling, pain, muscle tightness
- Pulmonary embolism (blood clot in the lung): cough, chest pain, trouble breathing, racing heart
- Liver problems: yellowing of the skin or the whites of the eyes, tiredness, stomach pain
Source: DailyMed
The following side effects have also been reported
Side effects that you should report to your care team as soon as possible:
- Allergic reactions—skin rash, itching, hives, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat
- Blood clot—pain, swelling, or warmth in the leg, shortness of breath, chest pain
- Breast tissue changes, new lumps, redness, pain, or discharge from the nipple
- Gallbladder problems—severe stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, fever
- Heart attack—pain or tightness in the chest, shoulders, arms, or jaw, nausea, shortness of breath, cold or clammy skin, feeling faint or lightheaded
- High potassium level—muscle weakness, fast or irregular heartbeat
- Increase in blood pressure
- Liver injury—right upper belly pain, loss of appetite, nausea, light-colored stool, dark yellow or brown urine, yellowing skin or eyes, unusual weakness or fatigue
- New or worsening migraines or headaches
- Stroke—sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm, or leg, trouble speaking, confusion, trouble walking, loss of balance or coordination, dizziness, severe headache, change in vision
- Worsening mood, feelings of depression
Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your care team if they continue or are bothersome):
- Breast pain or tenderness
- Dark patches of skin on the face or other sun-exposed areas
- Irregular menstrual cycles or spotting
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Weight gain
Pros and cons of Safyral
Pros
Once-daily dosing
Works better to prevent pregnancy compared to some other birth control methods
Available as a lower-cost generic
Can be taken with or without meals
Contains a folate supplement, which can lower the risk for certain birth defects if you plan to become pregnant in the near future
Cons
Doesn't protect against sexually transmitted diseases (STDs)
Must take it at the same time every day for it to work well
Can't be used by females over 35 who smoke because of the risk for blood clots
Higher dose of estrogen than some alternatives, so might cause more side effects
Pharmacist tips for Safyral
Take Safyral in the order directed on the package at the same time each day. You can take it with or without meals.
Set an alarm to help you remember to take Safyral at the same time every day. Forgetting to take your pill raises the chance of getting pregnant. If you miss a dose, refer to the instructions that came with your blister pack or call your provider or pharmacist for further instructions.
If you vomit within 3 to 4 hours after taking Safyral, it's considered a missed dose and you should refer to the instructions for missed doses that came with your prescription or ask your pharmacist or provider.
If you have vomiting or diarrhea, or take certain medications, Safyral might not work as well for you. Always use a back-up birth control method until you're able to check with your healthcare provider.
You'll typically have your period within 3 days of taking the last active pill. If you don't get a period, especially if you've missed any doses of Safyral, contact your provider to rule out the possibility of pregnancy.
Once you finish a pack of Safyral, continue directly to a new pack on the next day. Don't skip any days in between packs since they're meant to be taken continuously every day. You're more likely to become pregnant if you skip doses.
Hormonal birth control pills, like Safyral, can lower the quality and amount of breast milk you're able to produce and aren't recommended during breastfeeding. If you're breastfeeding, ask your provider about alternative birth control options.
Safyral has been prescribed specifically for you, so don't share it with anyone who wants to take birth control. Their provider should evaluate them to make sure they get a safe option.
Frequently asked questions about Safyral
How to save using GoodRx
What are the risks and warnings for Safyral?
Safyral can cause some serious health issues. This risk may be even higher for certain groups. If this worries you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist about other options.
Cigarette smoking and serious heart problems
Risk factors: Females over 35 years old who smoke cigarettes
If you smoke cigarettes, using combined oral contraceptives (COCs), like Safyral, raises your risk for serious health problems, such as strokes, heart attacks, and blood clots. Females age 35 years and older who smoke are at even higher risk for these problems. If you smoke, talk with your provider about safer birth control alternatives.
Blood clots and stroke
Risk factors: Females over 35 years old who smoke | Females over 40 years old who don't smoke | Recent surgery with a long period of bed rest | Starting Safyral less than a month after childbirth | High blood pressure | People identified as obese | Diabetes | Higher dose of estrogen
Safyral raises your risk of blood clots. These clots can occur anywhere in your body, including your lungs (pulmonary embolism or PE), legs (deep vein thrombosis or DVT), brain (stroke), and heart (heart attack). Get emergency help right away if you have any signs of a blood clot:
Brain: weakness or numbness in your arms, legs, or face on one side of the body, trouble speaking, blurred vision, dizziness, loss of balance, trouble walking, or confusion
Eyes: trouble seeing, bulging eye, double vision
Heart: chest pain, sweating, nausea, or dizziness
Lungs: trouble breathing, chest pain, or cough
Legs: cramps, swelling, pain, or muscle tightness
If you need to have surgery, tell your provider you're taking Safyral. They might have you stop taking it 4 weeks before until 2 weeks after your surgery to lower your risk of blood clots.
Risk of breast and cervical cancer
Risk factors: History of breast cancer | Taking COCs for a long time
Study results are mixed, but there's a possibility that Safyral and other COCs can raise your risk for breast and cervical cancer.
Don't use Safyral if you have breast cancer because some types of breast cancer grow faster in the presence of estrogen, an ingredient in this birth control pill. To help with early breast cancer detection, you can do monthly breast self-checks at home and yearly breast exams with your healthcare provider. Call your healthcare provider if you notice any abnormal changes or feel lumps, pain, or swelling in your breasts.
Get medical help right away if you experience abnormal vaginal bleeding, discharge, or pain during sex, since these could be signs of cervical cancer.
Liver problems
Risk factors: Liver problems or infection in the liver | Taking COCs with 50 mcg of estrogen or higher | Using COCs for longer than 8 years
Though rare, Safyral can cause liver problems, such as liver damage and liver tumors. These problems are linked more with earlier formulations of COCs that contained higher levels of estrogen (50 mcg or higher), and less so with Safyral since it only contains 30 mcg of estrogen.
Using COCs, like Safyral, can also lead to a risk for liver cancer, though this is extremely rare. The risk is higher if you've used COCs for a long time.
Don't use this medication if you already have liver problems. Call your provider right away if you experience symptoms of liver problems, such as tiredness, stomach pain, or yellowing of the skin or whites of the eyes.
High blood pressure
Risk factors: High blood pressure | Older age | Using COCs for a long time
Safyral and other COCs can raise your blood pressure. Your provider might ask you to check your blood pressure regularly. If you notice your blood pressure is higher while you're taking this medication, contact your provider. If you have uncontrolled high blood pressure, Safyral might not be the best option for you.
High blood sugar and lipids (fats)
Risk factors: Prediabetes or diabetes | Personal or family history of high triglycerides
COCs like Safyral might raise your blood sugar and triglyceride (fat) levels, which can lead to complications like pancreatitis. In addition, some progesterones could raise LDL levels ("bad" cholesterol). If you have diabetes, let your provider know if you experience any changes in your blood sugar. If your lipids aren't under control, you might need to use a different form of birth control. Make sure to go to all of your check-ups so your provider can monitor any changes.
Headache
Headaches are a common side effect of COCs like Safyral. But, if you experience a new migraine, a migraine that's worse than normal, or a new headache that keeps coming back or is severe, call your provider so you can be checked out.
Depression
Risk factors: History of depression
Let your provider know if you experience symptoms of depression or worsening depression while taking Safyral. In cases of serious depression, your provider might have you stop taking it.
Interactions with other medications
Certain medications can make Safyral get broken down faster in your body, making it less effective (not work as well). This can lead to pregnancy. If you're taking medication such as carbamazepine (Tegretol) and phenytoin (Dilantin), use a back-up method of birth control during and for at least 28 days after stoppingthese medications. Other medications can raise the amount of Safyral in your body, which can lead to more side effects. Make sure to tell your provider or pharmacist all of your medications so they can make sure they don't interact with Safyral.
If you have hepatitis C and need to be treated with Viekira Pak (dasabuvir / ombitasvir / paritaprevir / ritonavir), let your provider know right away that you're taking a COC. You'll need to stop Safyral before starting Viekira Pak because taking them together can cause liver problems. You can start Safyral again 2 weeks after you stop Viekira Pak.
High potassium
Risk factors: Kidney, liver, or adrenal gland problems | Taking medications that raise potassium levels | Taking medications that raise Safyral levels
Safyral contains drospirenone, which can cause high levels of potassium in some people. Taking Safyral with medications that raise potassium levels like ACE inhibitors, potassium-sparing diuretics, or potassium supplements can put you more at risk. Your provider should monitor your potassium levels during your first cycle of Safyral and regularly while taking this medication.
Contact your provider if you experience signs of high potassium like nausea, irregular heartbeat, or muscle weakness.
Safyral dosage forms
| Dosage | Quantity | Price as low as | Price per unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| 28 tablets | 1 package | $108.91 | $108.91 |
Typical dosing for Safyral
Safyral and Tydemy come as 28-day packs. There are 21 active tablets and they each contain 3 mg drospirenone, 30 mcg ethinyl estradiol, and 0.451 mg levomefolate. There are 7 placebo tablets that only contain 0.451 mg levomefolate.
The typical dose is to take 1 active tablet by mouth daily for 21 days, followed by 1 placebo tablet daily for the remaining 7 days. The tablets must be taken in order as shown on the medication packaging.
How much does Safyral cost?
Safyral contraindications
Kidney, liver, or adrenal gland problems
Women over 35 years old who smoke
High risk of blood clots
Blood vessel problems that affect the heart or brain
Abnormal uterine bleeding where the cause have yet to be diagnosed by your provider
History of certain heart conditions
Uncontrolled high blood pressure or diabetes
Pregnancy
Breast cancer (current or previous) which might be hormone-sensitive
Headaches involving the spinal cord or brain
Migraine headaches with or without aura if over 35 years old
Liver tumor
Current treatment with Viekira Pak (dasabuvir / ombitasvir / paritaprevir / ritonavir)
Get savings updates for Safyral
Receive price alerts, news, and other messages from GoodRx about Safyral and other healthcare topics and relevant savings offers.By signing up, I agree to GoodRx's Terms and Privacy Policy, and to receive marketing messages from GoodRx.
Browse medications
View AllResearch prescriptions and over-the-counter medications from A to Z, compare drug prices, and start saving.