FDA approves oral contraceptive Beyaz with folate

[September 25, 2010]  SAN FRANCISCO (AP) -- The Food and Drug Administration approved an oral contraceptive Friday from Bayer HealthCare Pharmaceuticals Inc. that includes a folate supplement.

The FDA approved Beyaz to prevent pregnancy and to treat moderate acne in females who are 14 or older and symptoms of premenstrual dysphoric disorder for those who want to use an oral contraceptive. It was also approved as a contraceptive that will increase folate levels -- aimed at lowering the risk of a neural tube defect in a pregnancy that occurs while using or not long after stopping the drug.

The FDA said its approval was based on that which it had given for another Bayer oral contraceptive, Yaz.

[Associated Press]

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