The FDA approved Bayer's Beyaz, which combines the

oral contraceptive, Yaz (estrogen/progestin), with a folate supplement.

The drug was approved to prevent pregnancy, as well as treat moderate acne in females ages 14 or older and symptoms of premenstrual dysphoric disorder. Beyaz was also approved to raise folate levels to reduce the risk of neural tube defects in pregnancies that occur during or shortly after use of the drug.

The agency said that the approval was based on a study that randomised 379 healthy women aged18 to 40 to receive either Beyaz or Yaz for up to 24 weeks. Data showed that Beyaz increased folate levels in women and that these levels remained elevated for several weeks following discontinuation of Beyaz