Drug Uses

Yasmin is a contraceptive used to prevent from pregnancy. Yasmin contains a progestin hormone called drospirenone. This medicine cannot protect you from sexually transmitted diseases like AIDS.

How Taken

Yasmin comes in a pack of 28 tablets. The first 21 tablets are the active pills which contain hormones and are coloured in yellow. The last 7 pills are inactive and are in a different colour. Day 1 star: Start taking the active yellow pills during the first 24 hours of your menstruation. You do not need a second contraceptive method because you start taking the pills at the beginning of your menstruation. Sunday start: Start taking the active yellow pills on the Sunday after your menstruation begins. In case your menstruation starts on Sunday, take the first pill that same day. You should use a second contraceptive method during the first 7 days after you start taking Yasmin.

Warnings/Precautions

Consult your doctor before taking Yasmin in case you have had a stroke, heart attack, or blood clot; high blood pressure, angina, or heart disease; a bleeding or blood-clotting disorder; breast, uterine, or another hormone-related cancer; or undiagnosed, abnormal vaginal bleeding. Also, inform your doctor if you have diabetes; high cholesterol; gallbladder disease; migraines or other headaches; epilepsy; a history of depression; a history of scanty or irregular menstrual periods; smoke cigarettes; or need an extended period of bed rest due to surgery or illness. Yasmin falls into the FDA pregnancy category X which means it can cause serious defects to a fetus. Do not take drospirenone and ethinyl estradiol if you are pregnant. Consult your doctor before taking Yasmin if you are breast feeding, because it may pass into breast milk or may reduce its production. Avoid smoking because it increases the risk of heart attack, stroke, or blood clot formation.

Missed Dose

In case you miss 1 active pill (in yellow colour):
1. Take the pill as soon as you remember and take the next one as scheduled. Thus you will take two pills on one day.
2. There is not need to use a second, back-up method of contraception during sex.
In case you miss 2 active pills (in yellow colour) in a row in the first or second week of your package:
1. Take two pills on the day you remember the missed dose and two pills on the next day.
2. Continue to take one pill a day until the package finishes.
3. There is a possibility to become pregnant if you have sex in the seven days after you have missed the dosage. You must use a second contraceptive method in those seven days.
In case you miss 2 active pills (in yellow colour) in a row in the third week of your package:
1. You should start taking the pills all over again, from day 1. Throw out the rest of the tablets and start a new package the same day.
If you have to start taking the pills on a Sunday, continue taking a pill every day until Sunday, then throw out the rest of the tablets and start a new package the same day.
2. You may expect that you will not have a menstruation this month. But if you do not have a period two moths, contact your doctor because there is a possibility to be pregnant.
3. There is a possibility to become pregnant if you have sex in the seven days after you have missed the dosage. You must use a second contraceptive method in those seven days.
In case you miss 3 or more active pills (in yellow colour) in a row (during the first three weeks of the intake):
1. You should start taking the pills all over again, from day 1. Throw out the rest of the tablets and start a new package the same day.
If you have to start taking the pills on a Sunday, continue taking a pill every day until Sunday, then throw out the rest of the tablets and start a new package the same day.
2. You may expect that you will not have a menstruation this month. But if you do not have a period two moths, contact your doctor because there is a possibility to be pregnant.
3. There is a possibility to become pregnant if you have sex in the seven days after you have missed the dosage. You must use a second contraceptive method in those seven days.

Possible Side Effects

VAGINAL BLEEDING
You may experience irregular vaginal bleeding or spotting while you are taking the pills. It usually occurs during the first few month of usage of the contraceptive but it may occur later. The bleeding may be temporary and commonly it is not a serious problem. Remember to continue taking the pills on time. Consult your doctor if the bleeding occurs more than one cycle or if it lasts several days.
CONTACT LENSES
Consult your doctor in case you use contact lenses and you notice changes in the vision or you cannot wear the lenses.
FLUID RETENTION
Oral birth control pills may cause retention of fluid (edema), accompanied by swelling of the fingers and the ankle, and high blood pressure. Consult your doctor if you experience any of these side effects.
MELASMA
Oral contraceptives may cause a darkening of the skin on the face.
OTHER SIDE EFFECTS
Among the other side effects you may experience are the following: change in appetite, headache, nervousness, and depression, and dizziness, loss of scalp hair, rash, and vaginal infections. If any of the side effects worsen or bother you, talk to your doctor.

Storage

Yasmin should be kept at a temperature of 25°C (77°F); fluctuations allowed to 15°-30°C (59°-86°F).

Overdose

There are no serious side effects in the cases when children have taken large doses of oral contraceptives by accident. An overdose may cause nausea, and withdrawal bleeding. However, drospirenone is a spironolactone analogue, which has antimineralocorticoid properties. In case of an overdose serum concentration of potassium and sodium, and evidence of metabolic acidosis should be monitored closely.

More Information

Your doctor will examine you and will ask you about your medical history before they prescribe you Yasmin. You should be reexamined by your doctor at least once a year. Inform your doctor if you have suffered from any of the conditions listed here. Do not miss appointments with your doctor because at these appointments will be determined if you have early signs of any side effects. Never give your birth control medicine to someone else. Use the pills only for the purpose they are prescribed to you.

Disclaimer

These instructions are for your information only. Be aware that the directions don't cover all uses, medicine interactions, precautions, or unfavorable effects. These prescriptions are only informative and shouldn't be relied on for any further actions. Don't accept the instructions as directions for application for any specific complaint. We deny all responsibility for the preciseness and trustiness of the information displayed and/or any results proceeding from it inclusive of harms or undesirable consequences to people or possessions if such occur. No warranty, either expressed or referred to, is made in connection to the above information.