Yasmin

Generic Name: Drospirenone and ethinyloestradiol
Product Name: Yasmin

Indication

Yasmin is an oral contraceptive, used to prevent an unintended pregnancy. Your doctor may also give you Yasmin for another reason; it can help clear up moderate acne and help with periods which are very heavy, painful or irregular.

If you have any questions about why you were prescribed Loette, please consult your doctor.

Action

Yasmin is a combined oral contraceptive. It works by:

• Stopping the release of eggs from the ovaries;
• Thickening mucus secreted from the cervix, thus helping to stop sperm penetrating into the uterus and moving towards any released eggs;
• Changing the lining of the uterus to help stop implantation.

All of these actions work together to prevent unintentional pregnancy.

Dose advice

Dose information

One tablet is taken at the same time every day.

Starting Yasmin

Yasmin should be started on the first day of your period with an active tablet (yellow) from the green area. Take the tablet that matches the day of the week your period has started on (eg. on Monday take the yellow tablet MON). If this is done, then immediate protection is achieved and no other form of contraception is required.

Yo can also start Yasmin on days 2–5 of your period. However, an additional barrier form of contraception (eg. condom, diaphragm) is recommended until seven active tablets have been taken in a row.

Missed tablets

If the tablet missed is one of the inactive tablets (white), no action needs to be taken and there is no change in the protection against pregnancy.

If you have missed more than one tablet, please ask your doctor for advice.

If you forget to take your tablet but remember within 12 hours, there is no effect on contraceptive protection if you take the missed tablet immediately and keep taking the tablets as usual.

If you remember more than 12 hours after the time you usually take Yasmin, then what to do differs depending on which week you are in. The most important rule is that seven days of active tablets are needed to protect against pregnancy. Take the missed tablet as soon as you remember, even if this means that you take two tablets at once. Then if you are in:

• Week One: Continue taking the tablets as normal. For the next seven days, use an additional form of contraception. If you have had sexual intercourse in the seven days before the tablet you have missed, there is a chance you may become pregnant. Please see your doctor immediately.
• Week Two: Continue taking the tablets as normal. If you have taken your tablets correctly in the previous seven days (not missed any tablets) then no extra contraception is required. Extra contraception is recommended if you have not taken your tablets correctly in the previous seven days.
• Week Three: Continue taking the tablets as per normal until you finish the third row of tablets. Then start a new packet of Yasmin in Row One, leaving no gap between them. This means you will miss your period for the month. No other form of contraception is required if you have been taking your tablets correctly for the seven days prior to the missed tablet.

Vomiting or diarrhoea

If you experiences vomiting or diarrhoea within 3–4 hours of taking an active tablet, you may not get the correct dose. The advice then is as if you missed a tablet.

Periods

Bleeding in row four may not occur in all women. Continue taking Yasmin as normal. However, if you do not get your period twice in a row, pregnancy should be ruled out before you continue with treatment. Please tell your doctor immediately.

Ask your doctor if you have any questions on how to use Yasmin correctly.  

Contraindications

Yasmin should not be used in certain conditions. Tell your doctor if you have:

• Known or suspected pregnancy;
• Acute liver disease, or history of severe liver disease;
• Unexplained vaginal bleeding;
• Hereditary predisposition or history of thrombosis;
• History of cancer affecting the breast or genital organs;
• Cerebrovascular disease;
• Coronary heart disease;
• Kidney disease;
• Pancreatitis;
• Diabetes mellitus;
• Migraine with aura;
• Pulmonary hypertension.

If any of these conditions occur for the first time while taking Yasmin, stop using Yasmin and tell your doctor immediately.

Precautions

Your doctor will ask you about your medical history and perform a physical exam before giving you Yasmin. An annual follow-up should be performed during use.

Special consideration is required when taking Yasmin in certain conditions. Tell your doctor if you have:

• High blood pressure;
• Circulatory disorders and heart disease;
• Migraine;
• Gall bladder disease;
• Epilepsy;
• Poor absorption;
• Hypertriglyceridaemia;
• Smoking;
• Obesity;
• Given birth within the last 3 weeks;
• Surgery;
• Diabetes.

Use in pregnancy

Yasmin is a Pregnancy Category B3 medication. Its safety has not been established during pregnancy.

Lactation

Yasmin is not recommend for use during breastfeeding, as oestrogens may lower the milk supply. Preferred forms of contraceptive pills are progestogen only.

Sexually transmitted infections

Yasmin does not protect against sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Some form of barrier contraception should also be used if full protection is desired.

Schedule

Yasmin is Schedule 4.^1,2

Common side effects

All medicines have side effects. Most commonly the side effects are minor; however, some can be more serious. Usually the benefits of taking a medication outweigh the associated side effects. Your doctor would have considered these side effects before starting you on Yasmin.

Common side effects are those which occur in more than 1% of people  given Yasmin. These include:

• Nausea and vomiting;
• Diarrhoea;
• Headache;
• Breast enlargement;
• Breast pain;
• Changes in libido;
• Increased blood pressure;
• Acne;
• Chloasma;
• Fluid retention;
• Mood changes;
• Dizziness;
• Gastroenteritis;
• Pharyngitis;
• Cystitis;
• Sinusitis;
• Vaginal candidiasis;
• Intermenstrual bleeding.

Tolerance may develop to some of these effects within 3 months.

Uncommon side effects

Side effects that occur in less than 1% of people given Yasmin are considered uncommon. People do not necessarily experience any of these side effects, so do not become alarmed by this list:

• Weight changes;
• Jaundice;
• Hair loss or growth;
• Allergic reaction;
• Venous thromboembolic events;
• Stroke;
• Low blood pressure;
• Missed periods;
• Abdominal pain;
• Sensitivity to light.

If you experience any of the listed side effects, or any other symptoms which appear abnormal or unusual, please tell your doctor.

References

1. Australian Medicines Handbook. Bonefos [online]. 2007 [cited 20 December 2007]. Available from: [URL Link]
2. MIMS Online. Yasmin [online]. 2003 [cited 20 December 2007]. Available from [URL Link] 
3. Lazo J, Gilman A, Brunton L, Parker K. Goodman & Gilman’s Pharmacological Basis of Therapeutics (11th edition). New York: McGraw-Hill; 2005.

For further information talk to your doctor.