Generic Yasmin (Drospirenone & Ethinyl Estradiol)

YASMIN

Yasmin is a birth-control pill, combining estrogen and progestin in order to prevent pregnancy. It may also be prescribed to regulate the patient's menstrual cycle or for other purposes.

Proper Storage

Store at room temperature away from sunlight and moisture. Keep out of the reach of children.

Proper Usage

Take exactly as instructed. Read the information leaflet that comes with the package carefully, and if there is anything in it that you do not understand, ask your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist. Try to take your Yasmin pill at the same time each day, and make sure that the doses are not more than 24 hours apart.

Side Effects

Possible side effects of Yasmin, that may go away after a certain period of treatment, include nausea, vomiting, bleeding between menstrual periods, breast tenderness, or weight change. If any of the symptoms persist or are bothersome, consult a doctor. Consult a doctor as soon as possible if you experience unusual persistent or recurrent vaginal bleeding, a missed menstrual period, dizziness or fainting, swelling of fingers or ankles, headache, or difficulty wearing contact lenses. Seek immediate medical attention in case of sharp or crushing chest pain, sudden shortness of breath, sudden severe headache, pain in the groin or calf, yellow skin or eyes, lumps in the breast, changes in vision, severe depression, numbness of an arm or leg, or severe stomach pain.

Warnings

Smoking while using Yasmin may increase your risk of stroke, heart attack, blood clots, high blood pressure, or other diseases of the heart and blood vessels. Be sure to get examined regularly while you are using Yasmin: keep all your doctor and laboratory appointments. If you develop problems with your contact lenses while using Yasmin, discuss the problem with your eye doctor. Use of birth-control pills does not prevent the spread of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). Do not use birth-control pills if you might be pregnant. If you are using Yasmin and you suspect you might have become pregnant, consult a doctor immediately. Yasmin passes into breast milk and might harm the nursing baby. Breast-feeding women should consult a doctor before using Yasmin.

Missed Dosge

If you miss one yellow (active) pill, take it as soon as you remember, or take two pills the next day. Missing one pill is very unlikely to cause a problem If you miss two yellow pills in a row in week one or two, take two pills a day for the next two days. You may ovulate, so be sure to use a back-up birth control method (such as condoms) for at least seven days following the missed doses. If you miss two yellow pills in a row in week three, or if you miss three pills in a row during week one, two, or three: * If you are a Day 1 starter -- throw out the rest of the pack and start a new package on the same day. * If you are a Sunday starter -- keep taking a pill every day until Sunday. On Sunday, throw out the rest of the pack and start a new pack of pills that same day. Either way, use a back-up birth control method for the next seven days. If you do not get a period that month, that's normal. However, if you miss your period the month after that as well, you may be pregnant and you need to have a pregnancy test.

Drug Interactions

Yasmin may raise your potassium level. Other medications that affect potassium level are: a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID); a potassium-sparing diuretic; a potassium supplement; an ACE inhibitor; an angiotensin II receptor antagonist; or heparin. If you are using any of the medications listed above, consult a doctor before taking Yasmin. Certain antibiotics or anticonvulsants may decrease the effectiveness of Yasmin.