The
following information is a summary about Yasmin. It is
not intended to replace a doctor's instructions.
Yasmin USES
Oral contraceptives (birth-control pills) are used to prevent
pregnancy. Estrogen and progestin are two female sex hormones.
Combinations of estrogen and progestin work by preventing
the release of eggs from the ovaries (ovulation) and changing
the cervical mucus and the lining of the uterus. Oral contraceptives
are a very effective method of birth control, but they
do not prevent the spread of AIDS and other sexually transmitted
diseases.
Yasmin DIRECTIONS
Oral contraceptives come in packets of 21 or 28 tablets
to take by mouth once a day. To avoid upset stomach, take
oral contraceptives with food or milk. Take the tablet
routinely at the same time every day (e.g., after dinner
or at bedtime) to help you remember to take the tablet
regularly. Missing doses increases your risk of becoming
pregnant. When first starting on Yasmin, use an additional
method of birth control until you have correctly taken
7 days' worth of medicine. If you have a 21-tablet packet,
take one tablet daily for 21 days and then none for seven
days. Then start a new packet. If you have a 28-tablet
packet, take one tablet daily for 28 days. The last seven
tablets are a different color. These tablets are not birth-control
pills; they contain iron (ferrous fumarate) or an inactive
ingredient. You should take one tablet daily continuously
for 28 days in the order specified in your packet, starting
a new packet the day after taking your 28th tablet. Follow
the directions on your prescription label carefully concerning
when to take your first tablet (on the first or fifth day
of your menstrual period or on the first Sunday after or
on which bleeding begins). Take the oral contraceptive
exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or
take it more often than prescribed by your doctor. Do not
stop taking Yasmin without talking to your doctor. If you
have recently given birth, wait until 4 weeks after giving
birth to begin taking oral contraceptives. Before taking
oral contraceptives, ask your pharmacist or doctor for
a copy of the manufacturer's information for the patient
and read it carefully.
Yasmin SIDE EFFECTS
Oral contraceptives may cause side effects. Tell your doctor
if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:
* upset stomach * vomiting * stomach cramps or bloating
* diarrhea * constipation * gingivitis (swelling of the
gum tissue) * weight gain or weight loss * brown or black
skin patches * acne * swelling of the hands, feet, or lower
legs (fluid retention) * hair growth in unusual places
* bleeding or spotting between menstrual periods * changes
in menstrual flow * painful or missed periods * breast
tenderness, enlargement, or discharge * difficulty wearing
contact lenses Some side effects can be seious. The following
symptoms are uncommon, but if you experience any of them,
call your doctor immediately: * severe headache * shortness
of breath * severe vomiting * partial or complete loss
of vision * double vision * speech problems * dizziness
or faintness * weakness or numbness of an arm or leg *
crushing chest pain or chest heaviness * coughing up blood
* calf pain * severe stomach pain * yellowing of the skin
or eyes * severe depression * unusual bleeding * loss of
appetite * extreme tiredness, weakness, or lack of energy
* fever * dark-colored urine * light-colored stool * rash
Oral contraceptives may increase the risk of developing
endometrial and breast cancer, gallbladder disease, liver
tumors, heart attack, stroke, and blood clots. Talk to
your doctor about the risks of taking Yasmin. Oral contraceptives
may cause other side effects. Call your doctor if you have
any unusual problems while taking Yasmin.
Yasmin PRECAUTIONS
Tell your doctor your medical history, especially of: kidney
disease, liver disease, seizure disorder, lung disease,
history of drug or alcohol dependency, any allergies you
may have. Limit alcohol as it may add to the dizziness
or drowsiness effects caused by Yasmin. Because this drug
may make you dizzy/drowsy, use caution performing tasks
requiring alertness such as driving. Caution is advised
when using this drug in the elderly because they may be
more sensitive to the effects of the drug. Yasmin should
be used only when clearly needed during pregnancy. Discuss
the risks and benefits with your doctor. Yasmin is excreted
into breast milk. Because the effects on a nursing infant
are not known, consult your doctor before breast- feeding.
Yasmin DRUG INTERACTIONS
Before taking oral contraceptives, * tell your doctor and
pharmacist if you are allergic to estrogen, progestin,
or any other medications. * tell your doctor and pharmacist
what prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins,
and nutritional supplements you are taking. Be sure to
mention any of the following: acetaminophen (APAP, Tylenol);
antibiotics; anticoagulants ('blood thinners') such as
warfarin (Coumadin); atorvastatin (Lipitor); clofibrate
(Atromid-S); cyclosporine (Neoral, Sandimmune); griseofulvin
(Fulvicin, Grifulvin, Grisactin); HIV protease inhibitors
such as indinavir (Crixivan) and ritonavir (Norvir); medications
for seizures such as carbamazepine (Tegretol), phenobarbital
(Luminal, Solfoton), phenytoin (Dilantin), and topiramate
(Topamax); morphine (Kadian, MS Contin, MSIR, others);
oral steroids such as dexamethasone (Decadron, Dexone),
methylprednisolone (Medrol), prednisone (Deltasone), and
prednisolone (Prelone); phenylbutazone; rifabutin (Mycobutin);
rifampin (Rifadin, Rimactane); temazepam (Restoril); theophylline
(Theobid, Theo-Dur); and thyroid medication such as levothyroxine
(Levothroid, Levoxyl, Synthroid). Before taking Yasmin,
tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are taking angiotensin-converting
enzyme (ACE) inhibitors such as benazepril (Lotensin),
enalapril (Vasotec), and lisinopril (Prinivil, Zestril);
angiotensin II antagonists such as irbesartan (Avapro),
losartan (Cozaar), and valsartan (Diovan); aspirin and
other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDS)
such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) and naproxen (Aleve,
Naprosyn); diuretics ('water pills') such as amiloride
(Midamor), spironolactone (Aldactone), and triamterene
(Dyrenium); or heparin. Your doctor may need to change
the doses of your medications or monitor you carefully
for side effects. * tell your doctor what herbal products
you are taking, especially St. John's wort. * tell your
doctor if you have or have ever had breast lumps or cancer;
endometrial cancer; high blood pressure; high blood cholesterol
and fats; diabetes (high blood sugar); asthma; stroke;
blood clots; toxemia (high blood pressure during pregnancy);
heart attack; epilepsy (seizures); migraine headaches;
depression; liver, heart, gallbladder, or kidney disease;
adrenal insufficiency (for Yasmin); jaundice (yellowing
of the skin or eyes); vaginal bleeding between menstrual
periods; and excessive weight gain and fluid retention
(bloating) during the menstrual cycle. * do not take oral
contraceptives if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant,
or are breast-feeding. If you become pregnant while taking
oral contraceptives, call your doctor immediately. * if
you are having surgery, including dental surgery, tell
the doctor or dentist that you are taking oral contraceptives.
* tell your doctor and pharmacist if you wear contact lenses.
If you notice changes in vision or ability to wear your
lenses while taking hormone replacement therapy, see an
eye doctor.
Yasmin OVERDOSE
In case of overdose, call your local poison control center
at 1-800-222-1222. If the victim has collapsed or is not
breathing, call local emergency services at 911.
Yasmin NOTES
Cigarette smoking increases the risk of serious side effects
from oral contraceptives, including heart attacks, blood
clots, and strokes. This risk is higher for women over
35 years old and heavy smokers (15 or more cigarettes per
day). If you take oral contraceptives, you should not smoke.
Keep all appointments with your doctor and the laboratory.
You should have a complete physical examination every year,
including blood pressure measurements, breast and pelvic
exams, and a Pap test. Follow your doctor's directions
for examining your breasts; report any lumps immediately.
Before you have any laboratory tests, tell the laboratory
personnel that you take oral contraceptives, as Yasmin
may interfere with some laboratory tests. If you miss one
menstrual period and have taken your tablets as directed,
continue taking them. However, if you miss one period and
have not taken your tablets as directed or if you miss
two menstrual periods and have taken the tablets as directed,
call your doctor and use another method of birth control
until you have a pregnancy test. If you wish to stop taking
oral contraceptives and become pregnant, use another method
of birth control for at least 3 months after you stop taking
the tablets to be sure that the medication will not harm
the fetus. It may take a long time for you to become pregnant
after you stop taking oral contraceptives, especially if
you have never had a baby or if you had irregular, infrequent,
or complete absence of menstrual periods before taking
oral contraceptives. Questions should be discussed with
your doctor. Do not let anyone else take your medication.
Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about refilling
your prescription.
MISSED DOSE
If you miss doses of your oral contraceptive, you may be
at risk for becoming pregnant. Instructions about missed
doses are different for different products. Carefully read
the instructions in the manufacturer's information for
the patient. If you have any questions, call your doctor
or pharmacist. If you miss pills, you may need to use a
backup method of birth control for 7 days or until the
end of the cycle.
Yasmin STORAGE
Store Yasmin in the packet it came in, tightly closed,
and out of reach of children. Store it at room temperature
and away from excess heat and moisture (not in the bathroom).
Throw away any medication that is outdated or no longer
needed. Talk to your pharmacist about the proper disposal
of your medication.
