Yasmin Tablets

This medicine (DROSPIRENONE; ETHINYL ESTRADIOL) is a birth control pill (a contraceptive taken orally). It contains two female hormones: estrogen and progestin. Yasmin is used for prevention of pregnancy and ovulation.

What information should I give to my medical adviser before taking this medicine?

It is important to inform them whether you have or ever had any of the following conditions:

• blood-stroke
• bilious headaches
• diabetes
• adrenal gland disease
• occasional vaginal bleeding
• the disease of blood vessels or blood clots
• gallbladder disease
• kidney disease
• liver disease
• cardiac disease or recent infarct
• systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)
• high blood pressure
• high cholesterol
• high potassium level
• ovarian, liver, endometrial, breast, cervical or uterine cancer
• smoking
• allergies and unusual reactions to progestins, strogens or other medicines, foods, dyes or preservatives
• breastfeeding
• pregnancy or attempts to become pregnant

How should I take this medicine?

This medicine is used to prevent pregnancy.

The pills can be taken by mouth during your meal to reduce nausea. Take the medicine at regular hours in the order shown on the package every day.  The medicine should not be taken more often than it is written.

In order not to miss the first day of your next cycle always have extra supply of the pills.

This medicine can be taken by female children who started having monthlies but special care might be necessary. So, consult pediatrician first.

Overtreatment: in case you suspect you have taken too much of the medicine, immediately turn to poison control center or emergency room.

MIND: These pills are only for you, they are not to be shared with anyone.

What if I forget to take the pill?

Missing the dosage enhances the risk to get pregnant.

If you forget to take one “active” pill you can either take it the moment you remember about it or you can take 2 pills at the time when you usually take the medicine.
There’s no need for additional birth control.

If you miss 2 “active” pills at a run in week one or two, you should take 2 pills at a time twice for your scheduled dose (one scheduled tablet plus one missed for two days at a run). You ought to use another pregnancy prevention method for no less than the next 7 days after you missed the dose.

If you forget to take 2 “active” pills in week three or 3 tablets at a run any of the three weeks you should throw away the rest of the pack and start a new one as if you’re a day 1 starter. If you started using the medicine on Sunday you should take a pill a day until Sunday.

On Sunday you are to start a new pack of pills and throw away the rest of the pack. Your monthlies might not start this month as it is expected, but if you do not have your periods 2 months at a run you should visit your doctor for you may be pregnant.

If you forget to take one of the reminder pills in week 4 just skip it and take another one as it scheduled.

If you miss a tablet there’s a risk to become pregnant if you have sex in the next 7 days. So you MUST back up and use other birth control form (such as spermatocides or condoms).

What might react upon the medicine?

• Cyclosporine;
• doxercalciferol;
• aprepitant;
• exemestane;
• medicines for mental depression;
• theophylline;
• oxcarbazepine;
• hydrocortisone;
• mineral oil;
• warfarin;
• nefazodone;
• tamoxifen or raloxifene;
• topiramate;
• anastrozole;
• bosentan;
• carbamazepine;
• testolactone;
• grapefruit juice;
• St. John's wort;
• clofibrate;
• antibiotics or medicines for infections, especially rifampin;
• medicines for anxiety or sleeping problems, such as diazepam or temazepam;
• phenytoin;
• prednisolone;
• barbiturate medicines for producing sleep or treating seizures (convulsions);
• mycophenolate;
• selegiline;
• caffeine;
• modafinil;
• soy isoflavones supplements;
• dantrolene;
• medicines for diabetes, including troglitazone and pioglitazone;
• ritonavir or other medicines for the treatment of the HIV virus or AIDS;
• letrozole;

Unlike other birth control medicine this one contains drospirenone which might increase the level of potassium. In interaction with other meds drospirenone might increase the chance of having the enhanced level of potassium. It might be necessary to have some blood tests on your potassium level. The meds that can elevate the level of the potassium are the following:

• some meds for heart disease or high blood pressure. (For example Eplerenone, ACE-inhibitors and also Angiotensin-II receptor blockers)
• heparin
• potassium supplements
• certain dietary salt substitutes because they might contain potassium
• certain 'water pills' (diuretics like amiloride, spironolactone or triamterene)
• nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), especially taken long-term and daily, for example for arthritis

You should inform your medical adviser about other drugs you take including non-prescription ones, herbal products and nutritional supplements. Your medical adviser should also be informed if you are a frequent user of dinks containing caffeine or alcohol, if you are a smoker or illegal drugs user because all these may influence the way the pills work.  Always check before starting or stopping any of your meds.

What should I check when I take the medicine?

You will have to have regular smear tests, pelvic and breast exam. So you should see regularly your doctor or health care worker for these checks.

Use a back up form of birth control during your first period on this medicine. If you have any suspicion that you are pregnant stop using the pills immediately and contact health care worker or your doctor.

In case you are on this medicine for problems related with hormones, note that it takes several cycles of non-stop use before you can observe any improvements in your condition. 

You are strongly advised to refrain from smoking for it enhances the risk to have a stroke or get blood clots when you are on birth control pills especially if you are over 35. 

This medication might make your body retain fluids so your fingers, hands and ankles might swell. Your blood pressure might go up, too. If you feel any of the symptoms you should contact your doctor or medical care worker.
You should keep out of sun because the medication can make you sensitive to it. If you can not avoid the sun you ought to use some sunscreen and put on protective clothes. You shouldn’t use any sun lamps or tanning beds/booths.
If you wear contact lenses and start feeling discomfort or observe some visual changes visit your ophthalmologist.

In some cases gum swelling, minor bleeding and soreness may be observed. Regular flossing and brushing the teeth may help to lessen this. Still you should inform your dentist if this happens. Visit regularly your dentist and tell them about the medications you take. 

If you are going to have planned operation you will probably have to stop using the pills before the surgery. Query health care worker about this.

This medicine can not protect against any venereal diseases including hepatitis and HIV infection (AIDS).

Which adverse drug reactions can be noticed?

Harsh adverse reactions are quite really observed in women who take oral birth control pills if they are healthy and non-smokers. In general, most women start having problems sooner because of complications from becoming pregnant than from taking contraceptives orally. As your body gets used to the medication most of minor adverse reactions disappear. However, there’s a possibility to have harsh side effects, and you can discuss it with your medical adviser.

You ought to inform your doctor or health care worker immediately about the following adverse reactions:

• vision changes
• various allergic reactions like skin rash, swelling of the tongue, face and lips, itching or hives
• pain in chest
• changes of breast tissue or discharge
• problems with speaking or understanding, confusion
• dark urine
• light-colored stools
• nausea, vomiting
• pain, swelling, warmth in the leg
• right upper belly pain
• general ill feeling or flu-like symptoms
• sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm or leg
• yellowing of the eyes or skin
• occasional vaginal bleeding
• bad headaches
• short breathing
• sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm or leg
• dizziness, trouble walking, loss of balance or coordination

Adverse reactions that, if not continuous or sore, do not require medical attention (if there are – contact your doctor or medical adviser):

• pimples
• brown spots on the face
• appetite change
• sexual desire change
• fluid retention and swelling
• stomach cramps or bloating
• gain in weight
• depression or emotional rollercoaster
• unusual weakness or weariness

This list of adverse reactions might be not full.

Where the medication should be kept?

This medicine should be kept out of reach of children.
Keep it in closed container. You should store it at room temperatures from 15 to 30 degrees C (from 59 to 86 degrees F). Any unused medications should be thrown away after the expiry date.