Yasmin

Yasmin is a contraceptive drug, used to promote birth control and prevent pregnancy. It can also be used to treat moderate acne and premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD).

It reduces blood loss, prevents dysmenorrhea or painful menstrual period and decreases danger for developing an ovarian cyst. It is a drug combination of the hormones Ethinyl estradiol/estrogen and drospirenone/progestin,

It functions by inhibiting ovulation; making the vaginal secretion thick to prevent the sperm from meeting the egg cell for fertilization and changes the uterine lining to prevent attachment of the fertilized egg. All of these phenomena prevent pregnancy from occurring.

Read your medication guide and follow your doctor’s prescription at all times.

• Take Yasmin by mouth/orally, 1 active pill once a day with 24 hours interval mostly after dinner or any time of the day (which you can easily remember) for 24 consecutive days. The first pill must be taken on the first day of your menstruation and continue taking the rest of the pills per doctor’s recommendation. Likewise, take the 4 reminder pills (inactive pills) after the active pills are consumed, one pill each day for 4 consecutive days and then start a new pack.
• The dosage depends on your medical condition or treatment response. Do not adjust your dose without your doctor’s recommendation. Refill your pills before you run out of stock.
• Consult your doctor regularly while on Yasmin, particularly if you don’t have a menstrual period for 2 consecutive months as this may indicate pregnancy.
• Use a backup contraceptive (i.e. condom, spermicide) method if you are having diarrhea or vomiting while on Yasmin.
• Avoid smoking while taking Yasmin to prevent stroke, high blood pressure, and other heart diseases.
• Continue taking this medication on a regular schedule (same time of the day). Do not stop taking this medication abruptly without consulting your doctor.

Inform your doctor immediately if your condition aggravates or does not improve.

If you missed one dose (1 pill), take 2 pills on the same day as soon as possible and then resume regular dosage (1 pill per day) on the succeeding days.

If you missed two doses (2 pills) in 2 consecutive days on the first or second week, take 2 pills each day for 2 days and then resume regular dosage on the succeeding days.

If you missed 2 doses on the third week or 3 doses in either of the first, second or third week in consecutive days, discard your present pack of pills and start a new pack.

Use a back-up birth control method if you miss a dose (i.e. condom, spermicide).

Yasmin may interact with:

• Anastrazole, exemestane, and other aromatase inhibitor drugs
• Raloxifene
• Sodium tetradecyl sulfate
• Tamoxifen
• Tizanidine
• Potassium supplements and other medications that may increase blood potassium level (i.e. enalapril and other ACE inhibitor antihypertensive drugs, losartan or valsartan, heparin, ibuprofen, naproxen, spironolactone and other potassium sparing water pills/ diuretics)
• Griseofulvin, rifampin, St. John’s wort, carbamazepine, phenytoin, ritonavir and other medications that decrease efficiency of Yasmin

Some drugs may either lessen the beneficial effects or worsen the side effects of Yasmin. Likewise, Yasmin may make some drugs less efficient or intensify their side effects.

Make sure to inform your doctor about all other drugs you are currently taking or using (prescribed and non-prescribed medications including vitamins, minerals, and herbal products) to check for possible drug interaction with Yasmin.

Never alter the dose of other medications while on Yasmin neither stop nor start any medicine without the doctor’s recommendation.

Side Effects: There are no side effects known aside from a possible allergic reaction in people who have previous or unknown hypersensitivity to the drug.

Watch out for signs of allergic reactions such as:

• Rash
• Itching
• Swelling

Before taking Yasmin, tell your health care provider if you have/are:

• Any allergies to any substance, food or medication, particularly to Ethinyl estradiol or drospirenone (Yasmin), any of its components or to other products that contain estrogen or progestin
• Medical history or a present condition such as:
  • Uncontrolled high blood pressure
  • Blood clotting problem
  • Previous stroke
  • Endometrial or Breast cancer
  • Migraine
  • Diabetic complication that affects the kidneys or eyes
  • Heart, Liver, Thyroid, Kidney or Bladder disease
  • Irregular menstrual period
  • Eyesight problems (i.e. nearsightedness) or if you are wearing contact lenses
  • Recently had surgery or is about to undergo surgical procedure
  • Bedridden or immobility problem
  • Use tobacco for long period of time
  • Unusual vaginal bleeding

• Pregnant, planning to get pregnant or currently breastfeeding a child (Yasmin can harm an unborn and it passes through breast milk as well as it affects the production of breast milk. The risks and benefits of using this medication during pregnancy must be discussed well with your doctor).