Yasmin Tablet (21 Tab)

YASMIN TABLET (21 TAB)

Name

• Brand Name: Yasmin
• Common Name: Drospirenone and Ethinyl Estradiol

Composition

Each active film-coated tablet of Yasmin contains a small amount of two different female hormones: 3 mg of drospirenone (a progestin) and 0.03 mg of ethinyl estradiol (an estrogen). The 21-tablet pack consists solely of these hormone-containing tablets.

Uses

Yasmin is a combined oral contraceptive primarily used to prevent pregnancy by inhibiting ovulation, altering cervical mucus, and changing the uterine lining. It is also prescribed for:

• Improvement in symptoms such as bloating, swelling, or weight gain related to fluid retention.
• More regular and lighter menstrual periods, which may decrease the risk of anemia, and a reduction in period pain.
• Treatment of moderate acne.

Dosage and Administration

Take one Yasmin tablet every day at approximately the same time, with or without food, and if necessary, with a small amount of water. The strip contains 21 active film-coated tablets, and each tablet is marked with the day of the week it should be taken.

• After completing the 21 active tablets, a 7-day tablet-free interval follows, during which withdrawal bleeding usually occurs.
• Start the next strip on the 8th day after the last Yasmin tablet (i.e., after the 7-day gap week), regardless of whether bleeding has stopped.
• If you miss a tablet by less than 12 hours, take it as soon as you remember, and contraceptive protection is not reduced. If you are more than 12 hours late, follow specific guidance, which may include using additional barrier contraception for 7 days.

Side Effects

Common Side Effects:

• Menstrual disorders, bleeding between periods (spotting or breakthrough bleeding)
• Breast pain or tenderness
• Headache, migraine
• Depressive mood
• Nausea, stomach pain, bloating
• Thick whitish vaginal discharge, vaginal yeast infection
• Changes in weight or appetite

Serious Side Effects (Seek immediate medical attention if experienced):

• Symptoms of blood clots (venous thromboembolism (VTE) or arterial thromboembolism (ATE)), such as sudden chest pain, shortness of breath, sudden dizziness, severe leg pain or swelling, trouble speaking or seeing.
• Severe abdominal pain, which could indicate benign or malignant liver tumors.
• Signs of angioedema, including swollen face, tongue, and/or throat, or difficulty swallowing/breathing.
• Jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes).
• Severe mood changes or depressive symptoms, potentially leading to suicidal thoughts.

Precautions

• Contraindications: Do not use Yasmin if you have a history of blood clots, certain cancers (especially breast cancer), severe migraines with aura, liver tumors, kidney/liver/adrenal gland problems, uncontrolled high blood pressure or diabetes, or undiagnosed abnormal uterine bleeding. It is also contraindicated in women over 35 who smoke.
• Interactions: Yasmin may interact with certain medications, including some antibiotics, antifungal medicines, HIV and hepatitis C virus treatments, epilepsy medicines, and tizanidine, which can reduce its effectiveness or increase the risk of side effects. Always inform your doctor, dentist, or pharmacist about all medicines and herbal products you are taking.
• Important Warnings: Yasmin does not protect against HIV infection (AIDS) or other sexually transmitted infections (STIs). There is an increased risk of blood clots with combined hormonal contraceptives, particularly in the first year of use or when restarting after a break of 4 or more weeks. Regular breast self-checks are recommended. If you experience chloasma (darkening of skin), avoid exposure to the sun or ultraviolet radiation.

Storage

Store Yasmin tablets below 25°C or at or below 30°C. Keep the blister strip in the original carton until required for use and ensure it is out of the sight and reach of children.

What is Yasmin Tablet used for?

Yasmin Tablet is primarily used as a combined oral contraceptive to prevent pregnancy. It can also help regulate menstrual periods, making them lighter and less painful, and may reduce the risk of ovarian cancer. Additionally, it may be used to treat acne.

How does Yasmin Tablet work?

Yasmin Tablet contains two female hormones: drospirenone (a progestin) and ethinylestradiol (an estrogen). These hormones work together to prevent pregnancy by inhibiting ovulation (stopping the release of an egg from the ovary), thickening the cervical mucus to make it harder for sperm to reach the egg, and altering the lining of the uterus to prevent a fertilized egg from implanting.

What is the usual dosage for Yasmin Tablet?

The typical dosage involves taking one tablet daily at the same time each day. A Yasmin pack usually contains 21 active (light yellow) tablets and 7 inactive (white placebo) tablets. You take an active tablet for 21 consecutive days, followed by an inactive tablet for the next 7 days. A new pack is started after the 7-day inactive tablet interval.

What are the possible side effects of Yasmin Tablet?

Common side effects include headache, nausea, stomach pain, breast pain or tenderness, irregular uterine bleeding (spotting or breakthrough bleeding), vaginal discharge, and vaginal yeast infection. More serious, though rare, side effects can include an increased risk of blood clots (such as deep vein thrombosis, pulmonary embolism, stroke, or heart attack), which can be life-threatening.

Is Yasmin Tablet safe during pregnancy or breastfeeding?

Yasmin Tablet should not be used if you are pregnant. If you become pregnant while taking Yasmin, you should stop immediately and consult your doctor. While hormones from Yasmin pass into breast milk in small amounts, its use is generally not advisable during breastfeeding as it may reduce milk production. It may be considered after 6 weeks postpartum when breastfeeding is well-established, with guidance from a healthcare professional.

Can Yasmin Tablet be taken with other medications?

Yasmin Tablet can interact with certain medications, potentially reducing its effectiveness or increasing the risk of side effects. These include some antibiotics (e.g., rifampicin, griseofulvin), anticonvulsants (e.g., carbamazepine, phenytoin), certain HIV/HCV medications (e.g., those containing ombitasvir/paritaprevir/ritonavir, dasabuvir), and St. John's Wort. Co-administration with certain hepatitis C treatments is contraindicated due to the risk of increased liver enzyme levels. Additionally, taking Yasmin with medications that can raise potassium levels (e.g., ACE inhibitors, potassium-sparing diuretics) may lead to hyperkalemia (high potassium). Always inform your doctor or pharmacist about all medications, vitamins, and supplements you are taking.

What precautions should be taken when using Yasmin Tablet?

Combined oral contraceptives like Yasmin are not recommended for women over 35 who smoke, due to a significantly increased risk of serious cardiovascular problems such as heart attack, stroke, and blood clots. Other contraindications include a history of blood clots, certain cancers (like breast cancer), uncontrolled high blood pressure, diabetes with vascular complications, or kidney, liver, or adrenal gland problems. Yasmin does not offer protection against HIV infection or other sexually transmitted infections (STIs).

What happens if a dose of Yasmin Tablet is missed?

If you miss one active (light yellow) tablet and it's less than 12 hours late, take the missed tablet as soon as you remember and continue taking the rest of the pack at the usual time; contraceptive protection should not be reduced. If it's more than 12 hours late, or if you miss two or more active tablets, contraceptive protection may be reduced. In such cases, take the last missed active tablet as soon as you remember, continue with the rest of the pack, and use an additional barrier method of contraception (like condoms) for at least the next 7 days. If you miss any inactive (white) tablets, discard them and start a new pack on the correct day, as they do not contain hormones and missing them does not affect contraceptive protection.

How should Yasmin Tablet be stored?

Yasmin tablets should be stored at or below 25°C or 30°C, depending on the specific product guidelines, and kept in their original carton or blister strip until needed. It is important to keep all medicines out of the reach and sight of children.