Generic Name : Drospirenone and Ethinyl Estradiol
Brand Names : Yasmin
Yasmin (drospirenone and ethinyl estradiol) is prescribed to prevent pregnancy. It contains 2 hormones (drospirenone, a progestin, and ethinyl estradiol, an estrogen). These hormones prevent patient from becoming pregnant by preventing the release of an egg (ovulation). They change the womb and cervical mucus, making it more difficult for an egg to meet sperm (fertilization) or for the fertilized egg to attach to the wall of the womb (implantation). Besides preventing pregnancy, birth control pills have been shown to help make the periods more regular, decrease blood loss and painful periods (dysmenorrhea), and decrease the risk of ovarian cysts. Use of this medication does not protect the patient against sexually transmitted diseases (e.g., hiv, gonorrhea, chlamydia).
Yasmin (drospirenone and ethinyl estradiol) is indicated to prevent pregnancy. Besides preventing pregnancy, birth control pills have been shown to help make the periods more regular, decrease blood loss and painful periods (dysmenorrhea), and decrease the risk of ovarian cysts.
This medication should be taken by mouth once daily or as directed by the doctor. It is very important to continue taking this medication exactly as prescribed by the doctor. The package instructions should be followed, to find the first tablet, the patient should start with the first tablet in the pack, and take them in the correct order. The patient should not skip any doses. Pregnancy is more likely in case of missing pills. Taking this medication after the evening meal or at bedtime may help if the patient has stomach upset or nausea with the medication. The patient may choose to take this medication at another time of day that is easier to remember. No matter what dosing schedule the patient use, it is very important that the patient should take this medication at the same time each day, 24 hours apart. The pill pack contains 21 pills with active medication. It may also contain 7 reminder pills with no medication. One active pill should be taken (with hormones) once daily for 21 days in a row. If the patient is using a product with 28 tablets, an inactive pill should be taken once daily for 7 days in a row after the patient has taken the last active pill unless otherwise directed by the doctor. If the patient is using a product with 21 tablets, the patient should not take any tablets for 7 days unless otherwise directed by the doctor. The patient should have period during the fourth week of the cycle. After taking the last inactive tablet in the pack or gone 7 days without taking an active tablet, patient should start a new pack the next day whether or not having the period. Consultation should be done with the doctor if the patient is not having the period.
Consultation should be done with the doctor immediately if any of these serious side effects occur Nausea, vomiting, headache, stomach cramping/bloating, dizziness, vaginal discomfort/irritation, increased vaginal fluids, or breast tenderness/enlargement may occur. Vaginal bleeding between periods (spotting) or missed/irregular periods may occur, especially during the first few months of use. If any of these effects persist or worsen, notify the doctor promptly. If the patient misses 2 periods in a row (or 1 period if the pill has not been used properly), contact the doctor for a pregnancy test, swelling of the ankles/feet, weight changes (gain or loss). This medication may rarely cause serious (sometimes fatal) problems from blood clots (e.g., pulmonary embolism, stroke, heart attack), sudden shortness of breath, chest/jaw/left arm pain, confusion, coughing up blood, pain/swelling/warmth in the groin/calf, tingling/weakness/numbness in the arms/legs, headaches that are different from those the patient may have experienced in the past (e.g., headaches with other symptoms such as vision changes/lack of coordination, existing migraines becoming worse, sudden/very severe headaches), slurred speech, weakness on one side of the body, vision problems/changes, lumps in the breast, severe stomach/abdominal/pelvic pain, mental/mood changes (e.g., depression, suicidal thoughts, persistent trouble sleeping),
The patient should not start, stop or change the dosage of any medicine before checking with the doctor first.
If overdose is suspected, contact the local poison control center or emergency room immediately. Symptoms of overdose may include severe nausea and vomiting. Females may experience sudden/unusual vaginal bleeding. The patient should keep all appointments with the doctor and the laboratory. Laboratory tests (e.g., potassium levels) may be performed to monitor for possible side effects to this medication. The patient should have regular complete physical exams including blood pressure, breast exam, pelvic exam, and screening for cervical cancer (pap smear). The doctor's instructions should be followed for examining own breasts, and report any lumps immediately.
This medication should not be used if the patient is having certain medical conditions: adrenal gland problems, history of stroke or other blood clots (e.g., in the legs, eyes, lungs), severe high blood pressure, abnormal breast exam, cancer (especially endometrial or breast cancer), diabetes that has caused kidney/eye/nerve/blood vessel disease, severe headaches, history of heart disease (e.g., heart attack, chest pain), heart valve disease, kidney problems, liver problems (e.g., liver tumor, active liver disease), current or suspected pregnancy, recent major surgery, long periods of sitting or lying down (e.g., immobility such as being bedridden), history of yellowing eyes/skin (jaundice) during pregnancy or while using birth control pills, unexplained vaginal bleeding, heavy tobacco use (especially if 35 or over).
Before using this medication, consultation should be done with the doctor: