Yasmin Oral contraceptive

Indication

Yasmin is a combined oral contraceptive pill used to prevent pregnancy. It contains a progestogen (drospirenone) and an oestrogen (ethinylestradiol). It may also be used to treat moderate acne and symptoms of premenstrual dysphoric disorder in women who also desire contraception.

Ingredients

• Drospirenone 3 mg
• Ethinylestradiol 30 mcg

Direction

Adults: Take one tablet daily for 21 consecutive days, starting on the first day of the menstrual cycle, followed by a 7-day tablet-free interval during which withdrawal bleeding occurs. Begin each new strip on the same day of the week. Take at approximately the same time each day.

Side effects

• Nausea
• headache
• breast tenderness
• Mood changes
• decreased libido
• Breakthrough bleeding or spotting
• Weight changes
• Increased blood pressure
• Risk of venous thromboembolism

Precautions

• Contraindicated in women who smoke and are over 35 years of age.
• Contraindicated in patients with current or past venous/arterial thromboembolism
• stroke
• or high risk of thrombosis.
• Contraindicated in migraine with aura
• uncontrolled hypertension
• severe hepatic disease
• or known/suspected oestrogen
• dependent tumours.
• Does not protect against sexually transmitted infections.
• May slightly increase risk of breast cancer
• cervical cancer
• and venous thromboembolism.
• Drospirenone has antimineralocorticoid activity — use with caution in patients at risk of hyperkalaemia.
• Inform your doctor of all medications — interactions with rifampicin
• anticonvulsants
• and St. John's Wort can reduce efficacy.
• Discontinue if prolonged immobilisation
• major surgery
• or signs of thrombosis develop.