Yasmin is an oral contraceptive. It contains a progestin hormone called drospirenone and thus differs from other oral contraceptives. Yasmin does not protect you against HIV infection (AIDS) and other sexually transmitted diseases.
Yasmin is administered orally and dispensed in a pack of 28 tablets. Twenty one of the pills contain the active ingredients (hormones): ethinyl estradiol and drospirenon and are known as active pills. The last seven tablets in a 28-tablet pack are reminder pills. They differ in colour from the active pills and do not contain hormones. Day 1 start: Take the first active pill of the first pack during the first 24 hours of your period. Since you are starting the pack at the beginning of your period, there is no need to use a second contraceptive method. Sunday start: Take the first active pill of the first pack on the Sunday after your period begins, even if your period is not over yet. If your period starts on Sunday, start the pack that same day. If you have sexual intercourse during the 7 days after you start your first pack, you should use a back-up contraceptive method(such as condoms or spermicides) in order to avoid getting pregnant.
Warnings Precautions
If you have had a stroke, heart attack, or blood clot; high blood pressure, angina, or heart disease; bleeding or blood-clotting disorder; breast, uterine, or another hormone-related cancer; or undiagnosed, abnormal vaginal bleeding, consult your doctor first before taking Yasmine. 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, notify your doctor before using Yasmine. Yasmin is in the X FDA pregnancy category, meaning that it causes birth defects in the fetus. It is well known that hormonal changes during pregnancy have very serious negative effects on the fetus. Yasmin is passed onto breast milk and may decrease lactation. Do not take drospirenone and ethinyl estradiol if you are pregnant or if you think you might be pregnant, or if you are breast-feeding. Avoid smoking. Smoking greatly increases the risk of heart attack, stroke, or blood clot formation.
Missing a Dose
If you MISS 1 yellow active pill, take it as soon as you remember. Take the next pill in accordance with your regular schedule. Thus you might have to take two pills on the same day. If you have sexual intercourse, no back-up contraceptive method need be applied.
If you MISS 2 yellow active pills in a row in WEEK 1 OR WEEK 2 of your pack, take two pills on the day you remember and two pills the next day. Until you finish the pack, take one pill a day. If you have sexual intercourse during the 7 days after you miss the pills you may become pregnant. A back-up contraceptive method (such as condoms or spermicides) must be used during these 7 days.
If you MISS 2 yellow active pills in a row in the 3RD WEEK:
-If you are a Day 1 Starter:
Dispose of the rest of the pack and start a new pack that same day.
If you are a Sunday Starter:
Keep taking one pill every day until Sunday. Dispose of the rest of the pack on Sunday and start a new pack of pills on the same day. You might miss your period that month but this is a normal side effect of missing pills. If you miss your period two months in a row, contact your doctor as you might have become pregnant. If you have sexual intercourse during the 7 days after you miss the pills you may become pregnant. A back-up contraceptive method (such as condoms or spermicides) must be used during these 7 days.
If you MISS 3 OR MORE yellow active pills in a row (during the first 3 weeks).
- If you are a Day 1 Starter:
Dispose of the rest of the pack and start a new pack on the same day.
If you are a Sunday Starter:
Keep taking 1 pill every day until Sunday. Dispose of the rest of the pack on Sunday and start a new pack of pills on the same day. You might miss your period that month but this is a normal side effect of missing pills. If you miss your period two months in a row, contact your doctor as you might have become pregnant. If you have sexual intercourse during the 7 days after you miss the pills you may become pregnant. A back-up contraceptive method (such as condoms or spermicides) must be used during these 7 days.
Possible Side Effects
Melasma (a spotty darkening of facial skin) and fluid retention are among the possible side effects of Yasmin. Oral contraceptives may result in higher blood pressure and cause edema (fluid retention) with swelling of the fingers or ankles. Contact your doctor in such cases. Changes in appetite, headaches, nervousness, and depression, dizziness, loss of scalp hair, rash, and vaginal infections are among the other possible side effects of Yasmin. If you detect any of these symptoms, contact your doctor for advice. In some cases your tolerance to contact lenses may decrease. If you detect vision alterations or increased intolerance to contact lenses, notify your doctor.
Irregular vaginal bleeding or spotting are some of the side effects of oral contraceptives. The intensity of vaginal bleeding may vary from slight staining between menstrual periods to breakthrough bleeding, very much like a regular period. Normally, irregular bleeding occurs during the first few months of oral contraceptive use but cases of bleeding after continuous use of the pill have also been reported. Do not stop taking Yasmine and follow your regular schedule. Bleeding is a normal side effect and is usually a temporary event. It is not indicative of any grave consequences. If you experience bleeding over more than one cycle or if the bleeding lasts for several days, notify your doctor of this side effect.
Storage
Store at 25?°C (77?°F); Variations of temperature of between 15?° and 30?°C (59?°-86?°F) are permitted.
Overdose
Drospirenone is a spironolactone analogue, which has antimineralocorticoid properties. In case of an overdose, serum concentration of potassium and sodium should be monitored. Symptoms of metabolic acidosis may also occur. Nausea and withdrawal bleeding are among the symptoms of a Yasmin overdose. If you suspect an overdose, seek medical help. No cases of serious side effects have been reported in children having swollen a large dose of oral contraceptives.
More Information
Before prescribing oral contraceptives, your doctor will take a record of your medical and family history, and will perform an examination. The physical examination may be postponed at your request. Annual reexaminations must be performed. In case there is family history of any of the above-listed conditions, notify your doctor. Regular examinations will determine whether early signs of side effects of oral-contraceptive use exist and the appointment schedule must be strictly adhered to. Use Yasmin only as a contraceptive. The prescription is personal and should not be passed on to others as a contraceptive method.
Yasmin resources:
http://www.drugs.com/yasmin.html
http://www.rxlist.com/cgi/generic3/yasmin.htm
http://www.fda.gov/cder/consumerinfo/druginfo/yasmin.HTM
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