What is Yasmin?
Yasmin (drospirenone and ethinyl oestradiol) is a combination birth control pill consisting of female hormones that avoid ovulation (the release of an egg from an ovary). The pill can also instigate changes in cervical mucous and uterine coating, which makes it difficult for sperm to approach the uterus and for a fertilized egg to fix to the uterus. This is employed as a contraceptive method to preclude pregnancy.
What are the common conditions in which Yasmin prescribed?
This medication is a birth control pill taken to avoid pregnancy.
How should I take Yasmin?
Strictly follow the instructions on the prescription label and take it in the recommended amounts and for advised duration only. Administer the pill on the first day of your menstrual period, or you may use it on Sunday after your menses start.
While you initiate this medication, you may still need to take standby contraceptives such as condoms with spermicide. Use one pill on a daily basis with a gap of at least 24 hours. When the pack is finished, begin the new one the next day. If you do not use 1 tablet every day, the chances of getting pregnant are high.
You may experience breakthrough bleeding, particularly during the earlier 3 months. Inform your doctor if it persists or is too intense. If you are to undertake any major surgery or will go on long duration bed rest, the doctor may recommend you to stop using this medicine. And also inform your surgeon or the doctor that you take Yasmin. Store the medication at room temperature in a cool and dry spot.
When you should not take Yasmin?
Do not take the medicine if you are pregnant or if you had a baby recently. You should not take it if you have: an adrenal gland disorder, kidney disease, uncontrolled high blood pressure, heart disease, coronary artery disease, circulation problems (especially with diabetes), severe migraines, undiagnosed vaginal bleeding, liver disease or liver cancer.
Or if you also take certain hepatitis C medication, if you will have major surgery, if you smoke and are over 35, or if you have ever had a heart attack, a blood clot, a stroke, jaundice caused by pregnancy or birth control pills, or cancer of the breast, uterus/cervix, or vagina. Taking this pill can increase your risk of blood clots, stroke, or heart attack. The risk of blood clots, stroke, or heart attack increases, if you are used to smoking. You should not take this drug if you smoke and are over 35 years old.
What are the possible side effects of Yasmin?
If you experience symptoms of allergic response to the medication such as hives, shallow breath, inflammation in your face or throat, seek immediate medical attention.
Tell your doctor immediately if you experience:
- Symptoms of a stroke – abrupt numbness or weakness (particularly on one side of the body), sudden serious headache, indistinct speech, vision, or balance difficulties;
- Symptoms of a blood clot – abrupt vision loss, piercing chest pain, shortness of breath, coughing up blood, pain, or warmth and swelling in one or both legs;
- Heart attack signs – chest pain or pressure, pain pervading to jaw or shoulder, nausea, sweating;
- Liver issues- lack of appetite, upper stomach pain, fatigue, dark urine, clay-coloured stools, jaundice (paling of the skin or eyes);
- High blood pressure – severe headache, hazy vision, thumping in your neck or ears;
- Inflammation in hands, ankles, or feet;
- Alteration in the pattern or harshness of migraines; or
- Signs of depression – sleep issues, weakness, unusual fatigue, mood changes.
Common side effects of the drug may comprise:
- nausea, vomiting;
- breast soreness;
- headache, mood changes, fatigue, or irritability;
- weight gain; or
- fluctuation in menstrual periods, lowered sex drive
This is not a thorough list of side effects, and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical help about various other side effects. Using this medicine can make you prone to blood clot formations, strokes, or heart attacks, particularly during the first year of taking contraceptive pills. The risk gets even greater if you already suffer from high cholesterol, diabetes, high blood pressure, or if you are overweight. If you restart the pills after not using them for at least 28 days or more, your risk levels are high.
Smoking can augment your risk of blood clots, stroke, or heart attack. The risk gets even higher with the age factor. The older, i.e., above 35, you are and the more you smoke, the more you should discard the idea of taking Yasmin pills. Avoid using this med if you are pregnant and quit in case you get pregnant or miss two menstrual periods continuously with doctor’s consultation. If you just had a baby, pause for minimum 28 days before using this medicine.
Avoid the drug if you have any of the following:
- an adrenal gland disorder;
- kidney ailment;
- unattended or unrestrained high blood pressure;
- heart condition (coronary artery disease, history of heart attack, stroke, or blood clot);
- a heightened risk of having blood clots due to a heart problem or a genetic blood disorder;
- circulation issues (particularly if caused by diabetes);
- a past of hormone-related cancer, or cancer of the breast, uterus/cervix, or vagina;
- queer vaginal bleeding that has not been attended by a doctor;
- liver condition or liver cancer;
- serious migraines (with aura, numbness, weakness, or vision fluctuations), specifically if you are more than 35 years old;
- a jaundice history instigated by pregnancy or birth control pills;
- if you smoke and are 35 years old or above; or
- if you use any hepatitis C medication containing ombitasvir/ paritaprevir/ ritonavir (Technivie).
To make sure this medicine is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have ever had:
- heart problems, high blood pressure, or if you are disposed to having blood clots;
- increased levels of potassium in your blood;
- high triglycerides or cholesterol, or if you are overweight;
- depression;
- liver or kidney disease;
- underactive thyroid, diabetes, gallbladder disease; or
- a migraine
The hormones in this pill can circulate into the breast milk and may impact the suckling baby. It can also retard milk production, so avoid using it while you breastfeed your child. This medicine does not defend you from acquiring sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), including HIV and AIDS. Using a condom is the sole way to protect yourself from these ailments.
What to do if I miss the dose?
Strictly follow the guidelines on your prescription label. And if you do not comprehend any of the instructions, ask from the pharmacist or a doctor. Follow the patient instructions provided with your medicine. Ask a pharmacist or your doctor if you do not understand these instructions. Missing a medication heightens the risk of  getting pregnant.
In case you miss 1 active pill, administer 2 pills on the day that you keep in mind. Further, take 1 pill daily for the rest of the pack.
In case you miss 2 active pills in a row in Week 1 or 2, use 2 pills daily for 2 days in a row. Then administer 1 pill every day for the rest of the pack. Use standby contraceptive for at least a week following the missed pills.
In case you miss 2 active pills continuously in Week 3, discard the remaining pack and begin a new pack the same day if you are a Day 1 starter. But if you start on Sunday, continue using a pill daily until Sunday. On Sunday, discard the remaining pack and begin a new pack that day.
In case you miss 3 active pills in a row in Week 1, 2, or 3, discard the remaining pack and begin a new pack on the same day if you are a Day 1 starter. But, if you are a Sunday starter, continue using a pill daily until Sunday. On Sunday, discard the remaining pack and start a new pack that day.
If you miss 2 or more pills, you may not get a menstrual period during the month. In case you miss your periods twice in a row, visit your doctor, as you may get pregnant.
In case you miss a reminder pill, discard it and continue using 1 reminder pill every day until the pack is finished.
Common Drug Interaction with Yasmin
Other medications may interact with drospirenone and ethinyl oestradiol, including prescription and over-the-counter drugs, vitamins, and herbal supplements. And this may further lead to pregnancy, by making it less effectual.
Inform your doctor about the medications you started or stopped using. This is not the complete list of drug interactions.
Bottom Line
Yasmin is a combination birth control pill which helps prevent ovulation and hence pregnancy. Take this medicine strictly under a professional medic’s guidance else you may get pregnant or even serious consequences may ensue.
Read Further:
