FDA approves Natazia birth control pill from Bayer, combining 2 hormones

FDA approves new birth control pill from Bayer

WASHINGTON — The Food and Drug Administration has approved a novel birth control pill from Bayer Healthcare that combines two female hormones.

Bayer’s Natazia combines the hormones estrogen and progestin in doses that adjust four times throughout a woman’s period cycle. The pill is the first birth control product to use four-phase dosing, according to the FDA.

The most common side effects reported in clinical trials included irregular bleeding, headaches, nausea and vomiting.

German conglomerate Bayer already sells the birth control pills Yaz and Yasmin. The drugs were the company’s top-selling pharmaceutical franchise last year, with combined sales of $1.64 billion.