Yasmin Description : Each tablet contains drospirenone (progestogen) 3 mg and ethinylestradiol (estrogen) 0.03 mg.

Yasmin Dosage : One tab is to be taken daily at about the same time for 21 consecutive days, following the order shown on the blister pack. Each subsequent pack is started after a 7-day tablet-free interval during which, a withdrawal bleed usually occurs. Starting the 1st Pack of Yasmin: When No Hormonal Contraceptive Has Been Used in the Past Month: Start taking Yasmin on the 1st day of the cycle, ie the 1st day of menstrual bleeding. Take a tablet marked with that day of the week (eg, menstrual period starts on a Friday, take a tablet marked Friday; then follow the days in order). May also start on days 2-5 of the cycle, but in that case, an additional contraceptive method (barrier method) for the first 7 days of tablet-taking in the 1st cycle is recommended. When Changing From Another Combined Pill: Yasmin should be started the day after taking the last tablet from the present pill pack (no tablet-free break). If the present pill pack also contains inactive tablets, Yasmin can be started on the day after taking the last active tablet (if uncertain when this is, consult the doctor or pharmacist). She may also start later, but never later than the day following the tablet-free break of the present pill (or the day after the last inactive tablet of the present pill). When Changing From a Progestogen-Only Pill (Minipill): Intake of minipill may be stopped any day and Yasmin started the next day, at the same time. It is recommended to use an additional contraceptive method (a barrier method) for the first 7 days of tablet-taking when having intercourse. When Changing From an Injectable or Implant: Start taking Yasmin when the next injection is due or on the day that the implant is removed, but it is recommended that an additional contraceptive method (a barrier method) for the first 7 days of tablet-taking when having intercourse. After Having a Baby: After having a baby, the doctor may instruct the patient to wait until the first normal period before starting on Yasmin. It is possible to start sooner. Consult the doctor before taking Yasmin if breastfeeding. After a Miscarriage or an Abortion: Consult the doctor. Stopping Yasmin Treatment: Yasmin can be stopped at any time. Consult the doctor about other birth control methods. If pregnancy is wanted, it is generally recommended to wait until a natural period is established after stopping Yasmin before trying to conceive. This would help determine when the baby will be due. Missed Doses: In case of a missed dose, tablet could still be taken as long as it is <12 hrs after the prescribed time, so that the reliability of the pill is maintained. Take the tablet as soon as remembered and take the next tablets at the prescribed time. If >12 hrs after the prescribed time has passed before taking any tablet, the reliability of the pill may be reduced. The more consecutive tablets missed, the higher the risk that the contraceptive effect is decreased. There is a particularly high risk of becoming pregnant if tablets are missed at the beginning or at the end of the pack. Therefore, the following rules should be followed: 1 Tablet Missed in Week 1: Take the missed tablet as soon as remembered (even if this means taking 2 tabs at the same time) and take the next tablets at the usual time. Use extra contraceptive precautions (barrier method) for the next 7 days. If the woman had sexual intercourse in the week before missing the tablet, there is a possibility of becoming pregnant. Inform the doctor immediately. 1 Tablet Missed in Week 2: Take the missed tablet as soon as remembered (even if this means taking 2 tabs at the same time) and take the next tablets at the usual time. The reliability of the pill is maintained. No need for extra contraceptive precautions. 1 Tablet Missed in Week 3: The following options may be considered, without the need for extra contraceptive precautions: (1) Take the missed tablet as soon as remembered (even if this means taking 2 tabs at the same time) and take the next tablets at the usual time. Start the next pack as soon as the current pack is finished so that no gap is left between packs. A withdrawal bleed may not occur until the end of the 2nd pack but there may be spotting or breakthrough bleeding on tablet-taking days. (2) Discontinue taking tablets from the current pack, have a tablet-free break of ?7 days (also count the day tablet is missed) and continue with the next pack. When following this method, the next pack can always be started on the same day of the week as the patient usually does. In case there are forgotten tablets in a pack and the expected period in the 1st normal tablet-free break is not observed, then there is a possibility of pregnancy. Consult a doctor before starting the next pack. If vomiting occurs within 3-4 hrs after taking Yasmin tablet, the active ingredients may not have been completely absorbed. This is the same as missing a tablet; therefore, follow the advice for missed tablets. Delaying the Period: Menstrual period may be delayed if the next pack of Yasmin is started immediately after finishing the current pack. This pack can be continued for as long as the patient wishes, until the pack is empty. To begin menstrual period, it is sufficient to stop tablet-taking . While using the 2nd pack, there may be some breakthrough bleeding or spotting on tablet-taking days. Start with the next pack after the usual 7-day tablet-free break. Changing the Starting Day of the Period: If Yasmin is taken as directed, the period will be on the same day every 4 weeks. If this is to be changed, shorten (never lengthen) the next tablet-free break, eg if the period usually starts on a Friday and there is a desire to shift menstrual period to start on Tuesday (3 days earlier), the next pack should be started 3 days sooner than the usual. If the tablet-free break is made very short (eg, ?3 days), there may not be any bleeding during the break but breakthrough bleeding or spotting may occur during the use of the next pack. Unexpected Bleeding: As with all pills, for the first few months, there may be irregular vaginal bleeding (spotting or breakthrough bleeding) in between periods. Use of sanitary protection may be needed, but tablet intake should be continued as normal. Irregular vaginal bleeding usually stops once the body has adjusted to the pill (usually after about 3 tablet-taking cycles). If bleeding continues, becomes heavy or starts again, inform the doctor. During a Missed Period: If all the tablets are taken at the right time and vomiting did not occur or any other medicines is not used, then pregnancy is unlikely to occur. Continue to take Yasmin as usual. If the period is missed twice in a row, pregnancy may occur. Inform the doctor immediately. Do not start the next pack of Yasmin until the doctor has checked the no pregnancy has occurred.

Yasmin Warning : If any of the conditions/risk factors mentioned as follows is present, the benefits of combined oral contraceptive use has to be weighed against the possible risk for each individual woman. In the event of aggravation or first appearance of any of these conditions or risk factors, the physician should be consulted. Vascular disorders with or without indication of arterial or venous thrombosis. The risk is increased for individuals with a respective family history of thrombosis, heart attack or stroke, advanced age, smoking, overweight, lipid metabolism disorders, hypertension, diabetes, immobilization, valvular disorders, atrial fibrillation, systemic lupus erythematosus, hemolytic-uremic syndrome, Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis (chronic inflammatory bowel disease), migraine. The following conditions should also be taken into account before starting treatment with Yasmin: Inflammation of the veins (superficial phlebitis), varicose veins, presence or family history of high blood levels of cholesterol or triglycerides, epilepsy, liver or gallbladder disease, sickle cell disease, chloasma. Tumors: The risk of having breast cancer is slightly elevated for women taking combined oral contraceptives. Breast cancer is rare in women <40 years, and the excess risk potentially caused by hormone intake gradually disappears during the course of 10 years after cessation of combined oral contraceptive use. Experiences from clinical studies do not provide evidence of a causal relation between the use of combined oral contraceptives and an increased incidence of breast cancer. An increased risk of cervical cancer in long-term users of COCs has been reported in some epidemiological studies. Annual routine checks by a physician are recommended. Yasmin, like all contraceptive pills, does not protect against HIV infection (AIDS) or any other sexually transmitted disease.