The FDA has approved Beyaz, a combination oral contraceptive containing a folate to prevent neural tube defects.

Beyaz will contain the same doses of progestin and estrogen as the oral contraceptive Yaz. Both are made by Bayer.

Like Yaz, Beyaz is approved to prevent pregnancy, treat symptoms of premenstrual dysphoric disorder, and treat moderate acne. In addition, it is indicated to raise folate levels in women taking oral contraceptives. A clinical trial found that women’s folate levels stayed elevated several weeks after they stopped taking the drug. The efficacy and side effects were essentially unchanged compared with Yaz.