Yasmin 28 Review

Yasmin 28 is a combination of two female hormones, drospirenone and ethinyl estradiol, prescribed as an oral contraceptive pill used to prevent ovulation.

Contents:

• Indications for use
• Mechanism of action
• Dosage and mode of application
• Overdose
• Contraindications
• Precautions
• Side effects
• Interactions
• What if I miss a dose?
• Yasmin and cancer
• Yasmin and pregnancy
• Bleeding between periods

Indications for use

Yasmin is prescribed in several cases:

• prevention of unwanted pregnancy;
• failure in the menstrual cycle;
• acne;
• breast swelling

This hormonal contraception is also effective in cases of excessive engorgement of the mammary glands.

Before using this medication, you should consult your gynecologist. The hormonal system of the female body is not difficult to break, and it can take a long time to restore it. That is why the attending physician is obliged to fully examine you, before making a conclusion about the use of this birth control method.

Mechanism of action

Yasmin pills contain active components – drospirenone and ethinyl estradiol. Influencing all areas of the body’s hormonal system, they prevent the development and maturation of the egg, thereby preventing ovulation. The contraceptive components of the drug increase the viscosity of cervical secretions, and therefore sperm entering becomes completely impossible.

Dosage and mode of application

When purchasing this contraceptive, you should carefully read the attached instructions! It is recommended to start taking pills on the first day of your period, or on the first Sunday following your period.

Take one pill at the same time each day. Take contraceptive regularly, in order to get rid of intermediate bleeding and irregularities in the menstrual cycle.

The drug contains 28 pills (21 active pills and 7 pills with no medication (“reminders”).  Take one active pill daily for 21 days in a row, followed by one placebo pill daily for 7 days in a row. You do not need to make any breaks. Once you have taken the last pill from the blister pack, begin a new pack.

The drug is available in another option – Yasmin 21 pill with a different mode of application. Read the instructions carefully before using the preparation.

Overdose

There are no recorded cases in which an overdose of Yasmin caused serious damage to the female body. If you take a lot of pills at the same time, you may have nausea and vomiting. Adolescent women may experience vaginal bleeding. If you take too many birth control tablets, consult with your doctor or pharmacist immediately.

Contraindications

Yasmin is contraindicated if the patient has the following diseases or conditions:

• allergy to the active components of the drug (drospirenone / ethinyl estradiol);
• breast cancer;
• diabetes;
• renal and hepatic impairment;
• pregnancy;
• ischemic disease of the heart;
• high blood pressure.

Precautions

In some situations, you should be especially careful when using Yasmin or another combination of contraceptives.

Consult your physician before starting to take birth control pills if you have any of the following conditions, or if they occur during use of the drug:

• if your close relative has or has ever had breast cancer;
• if you have liver or gallbladder disease;
• if you have diabetes;
• if you are depressed;
• if you have Crohn’s disease or inflammatory bowel disease (ulcerative colitis);
• if you have Hemolytic uremic syndrome, which causes damage to the kidneys;
• if you have sickle cell anemia;
• if you have epilepsy;
• if you have a disease of the immune system called SLE (lupus erythematosus);
• if you have a disease that first appeared during pregnancy or during the previous reception of female hormones (hearing loss, herpes gestationis, nerve diseases in which there are involuntary movements;
• if you have or have ever had a chloasma (discoloration of the skin, especially in the face or neck). Then, direct exposure to sunlight or ultraviolet radiation should be avoided;
• if you have a hereditary angioedema, Yasmin can cause or worsen symptoms. You should consult a doctor immediately if you experience symptoms of Quincke’s edema, such as swelling of the face, tongue, and / or throat, and/or difficulty swallowing or hives with difficulty breathing.

Driving and operating machines:

There is no information that the use of Yasmin has an effect on the ability to drive a car or work with machinery.

Important information on some Yasmin components:

Yasmin contains lactose. You may have an intolerance of some sugars, so consult your doctor before taking this medication

Smoking:

Do not smoke while taking Yasmin, especially if you are over 35 years old.

Side effects

You may have a bleeding (pseudo-menstruation) the first days after taking the contraceptive. When taking the drug, the cycle lasts normally, without complications and pains in the abdomen. Often this medicine is taken to control the menstrual cycle, in particular, to reduce painful sensations. Do not stop the course of taking Yasmin after the onset of blood discharge to avoid serious complications in the uterus. In some cases, women experience the following negative side effects:

• dizziness;
• nausea;
• vomiting;
• stomach ache;
• shortness of breath;
• strong expectorant cough with the presence of blood (it is recommended to immediately call an ambulance);
• insomnia;
• allergic reactions.

Interactions

Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking any other medicines, including medicines that are sold without a prescription or herbal preparations. The doctor will tell you if you need to use additional contraceptive measures (condoms) and for how long.

Some medications can reduce the contraceptive effect of Yasmin or can lead to unforeseen bleeding. This can happen with:

• drugs used in the treatment of epilepsy (primidone, phenytoin, barbiturates, carbamazepine, oxcarbazepine);
• drugs used in the treatment of HIV infection (ritonavir, nevirapine) or other infections (antibiotics such as griseofulvin, penicillin, tetracycline);
• drugs used in the treatment of high pressure (bosentan);
• St John’s wort preparations.

Yasmin in its turn can affect the effects of other drugs, for example:

• medicines containing cyclosporine;
• anticonvulsant lamotrigine (may lead to an increased frequency of seizures).

Consult your doctor or pharmacist before taking any medication.

Taking Yasmin with food and drinks:

The drug can be taken regardless of meals and with water, if necessary.

What if I miss a dose?

Always follow the instructions for use. Consult your doctor or pharmacist if you do not understand these instructions. Missing a pill increases the risk of becoming pregnant.

• If you miss one active tablet, take two tablets on the day that you remember. Then take one tablet a day for the rest of the package;
• If you miss two active pills in a row in the first or second weeks, take two tablets a day for two days in a row. Then take one tablet a day for the rest of the package. Use barrier birth control methods for at least 7 days after missing contraceptive tablets;
• If you miss two active pills in a row in Week 3, throw away the rest of the package and begin a new package on the same day. If you are a Sunday starter, continue taking the pills every day until Sunday. On Sunday, throw away the rest of the package and begin a new package that day;
• If you miss three active tablets in a row in the 1st, 2nd or 3rd rows, throw away the rest of the package and begin a new package on the same day. If you are a Sunday starter, continue taking the pills each day to Sunday. On Sunday, throw away the rest of the package and begin a new package that day;
• If you miss two or more active tablets, you may not have a period within a month. If you miss a period for two consecutive months, call your doctor, because you can be pregnant;
• If you miss a reminder pill, throw away it and continue to take one reminder tablet a day until the package becomes empty. If you miss a reminder, you do not need an additional birth control.

Yasmin and cancer

It was noted that breast cancer occurs more common in women using combined contraceptive methods, but it is not known whether this relates to Yasmin. It is important to have a regular breast examination, and you should consult a doctor if you notice any alarming signs.

In rare cases, women reported benign liver tumors and malignant ones. Consult your doctor if you have a severe abdominal pain.

Yasmin and pregnancy

If you are pregnant, do not take Yasmin. If you become pregnant while taking this drug, stop using the medication immediately and see a doctor. If you want to become pregnant, you can stop taking contraceptive at any time.

In general, it is not recommended to take Yasmin when you are breastfeeding. If you want to take birth control during breastfeeding, you should consult your doctor.

Bleeding between periods

During the first few months that you are taking Yasmin, you may have unexpected bleeding. If these bleedings last more than a few months or start after a few months, you will need to visit a doctor.

What to do if you do not have the planned period:

• If you have taken all the pills correctly, had no vomiting or severe diarrhea and did not take other medications, it is very unlikely that you are pregnant;
• If you missed two active pills in a row, you may be pregnant. Visit a doctor immediately. Do not begin the new pack until you are sure that you are not pregnant.