Yasmin

Drug name: Yasmin

Active Ingredients: ethinyl estradiol, drospirenon

Therapeutic actions: Yasmin differs from other birth control pills because it contains a progestin hormone called drospirenone. Yasmin prevents ovulation (the release of an egg from an ovary) and also cause changes in your cervical mucous and uterine lining, making it harder for sperm to reach the uterus and harder for a fertilized egg to attach to the uterus.

Indications: The Yasmin pill is a combined contraceptive pill. It contains the synthetic hormone drospirenone. Drospirenone may be prescribed as an alternative for women who experience adverse effects from other oral contraceptives. It may help to improve hormone-related symptoms of acne, water retention, premenstrual and menstrual conditions.

Contraindications and cautions: Do not take Yasmin without first talking to your doctor if you have had a stroke, heart attack, or blood clot; high blood pressure, angina, or heart disease; a bleeding or blood-clotting disorder; breast, uterine, or another hormone-related cancer; or undiagnosed, abnormal vaginal bleeding. Before taking Yasmin, also tell your doctor 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. Yasmin is in the FDA pregnancy category X. This means that it has been reported to cause birth defects in an unborn baby. Hormonal changes during pregnancy can have very serious negative effects on a developing baby. Do not take drospirenone and ethinyl estradiol if you are pregnant or if you think you might be pregnant. Yasmin passes into breast milk and may decrease milk production. Do not take Yasmin without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby. Avoid smoking. Smoking greatly increases the risk of heart attack, stroke, or blood clot formation.

Adverse effects: The following are some of the side effects that are known to be associated with this medicine. Because a side effect is stated here, it does not mean that all people using this medicine will experience that or any side effect. Nausea, vomiting, headache, diarrhea, bleeding between menstrual periods (spotting), weight gain, acne, stomach cramps, rash, swelling or bloating, skin spots, breast tenderness, or difficulty wearing contact lenses may occur. If any of these effects persist or worsen, notify your doctor promptly. Tell your doctor immediately if any of these serious side effects occur: dizziness, flu-like symptoms (e.g., fever, cough, unusual weakness/fatigue, sore throat, muscle aches), mental/mood changes, trouble sleeping, hair loss, vaginal infections. Tell your doctor immediately if any of these unlikely but serious side effects occur: severe headache, pain in the lower legs or groin, trouble breathing, chest pain, vision changes, severe stomach pain, one-sided weakness, yellowing eyes or skin, lumps in the breast. If you notice any other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.

The side effects listed above may not include all of the side effects reported by the drug's manufacturer.

Interactions: Some drugs can make drosperinone and ethinyl estradiol less effective, which may result in pregnancy. Other drugs may be affected by drosperinone and ethinyl estradiol. Before using Yasmin, tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor.

Additional Information: DO NOT SHARE THIS MEDICINE with others. DO NOT USE THIS MEDICINE for other health conditions. KEEP THIS PRODUCT, as well as syringes and needles, if needed during treatment, out of the reach of children. Do not reuse needles, syringes, or other materials.