YASMIN : Uses,Dose,Side Effects,Precautions

It is a combined oral contraceptive (often called “the Pill”). Each monthly pack contains 28 film-coated tablets: 21 light yellow active tablets with hormones and 7 white inactive tablets. It is used to prevent pregnancy when taken correctly and consistently. YASMIN is a Schedule 3 (S3) medicine in South Africa and should be used under medical guidance.

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What it is and what it is used for

YASMIN is a combined oral contraceptive containing two hormones:

• Ethinylestradiol (0,03 mg) — an estrogen.
• Drospirenone (3 mg) — a progestogen.

Indication (as per source): YASMIN is used to prevent pregnancy.

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How it works

Speak to your doctor or pharmacist if you’d like a plain-language explanation of how combined oral contraceptives prevent pregnancy.

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Who should NOT use this medicine

Do not use YASMIN if any of the following apply. If they appear for the first time while taking YASMIN, stop immediately and contact your doctor. Use a non-hormonal back-up method in the meantime.

• You have, or have ever had, a blood-clotting disorder such as deep vein thrombosis (leg), pulmonary embolism (lung), or a clot elsewhere.
• You have had a heart attack or stroke, or warning signs of either (e.g., angina or a transient ischaemic attack).
• You have a history of migraine with neurological symptoms (e.g., visual changes, speech difficulty, weakness/numbness).
• You have diabetes with blood-vessel damage.
• You currently have or previously had jaundice or severe liver disease.
• You currently have or previously had cancer that may grow under the influence of sex hormones (e.g., breast or genital organs).
• You have severe kidney insufficiency or acute kidney failure.
• You have or have had a benign or malignant liver tumour.
• You have unexplained vaginal bleeding.
• You are pregnant or think you might be pregnant.
• You are hypersensitive/allergic to ethinylestradiol, drospirenone, or any ingredients in YASMIN (e.g., rash, itching, swelling).

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Warnings and precautions (Read before use)

Situations where extra caution and monitoring are needed

Before starting, tell your doctor if any apply to you:

• You smoke.
• Diabetes, overweight, or high blood pressure.
• Heart valve disorder or certain heart rhythm problems.
• Inflammation of veins (superficial phlebitis) or varicose veins.
• A family history of blood clots, heart attack, or stroke.
• Migraine or epilepsy.
• Raised potassium levels or kidney problems, especially if using certain diuretics that may increase potassium.
• High cholesterol/triglycerides (you or an immediate family member).
• A family history of breast cancer.
• Liver or gallbladder disease.
• Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis.
• Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).
• Haemolytic uraemic syndrome (HUS).
• Sickle cell disease.
• Conditions that first appeared or worsened during pregnancy or prior hormone use (e.g., certain skin, metabolic, neurological, or hearing problems mentioned in the source).
• Chloasma (patchy facial pigmentation): avoid excessive sun/UV exposure.
• Hereditary angioedema: exogenous estrogens can trigger or worsen symptoms; seek urgent care if you develop swelling of the face/tongue/throat, difficulty swallowing, hives, or breathing trouble.

If any of the above appear, recur, or worsen during YASMIN use, contact your doctor.

Blood clots (thrombosis): important safety information

• Blood clots can occur in deep leg veins (DVT) and may travel to the lungs (pulmonary embolism). The risk is highest in the first year of using the Pill.
• Clots can also (rarely) occur in the heart (heart attack) or brain (stroke), and in liver, gut, kidney, or eye vessels.
• Ageing and smoking further increase the risk. Stop smoking, especially if over 35.
• Surgery or immobilisation (e.g., leg in plaster) increases risk. Inform your doctor well in advance of surgery or immobilisation; you may need to stop YASMIN several weeks beforehand and restart only when fully mobile, as advised.

Stop YASMIN and seek medical help immediately if you have possible signs of a clot, heart attack, or stroke:

• Unusual cough; chest pain (may spread to left arm); shortness of breath.
• Severe or persistent headache or migraine; sudden change in vision (including loss/double vision).
• Slurred speech; sudden changes in hearing, smell, or taste; dizziness or fainting.
• Weakness/numbness in part of the body.
• Severe abdominal pain.
• Severe pain or swelling in a leg.

Cancer

• Breast cancer has been diagnosed slightly more often in Pill users than non-users; the difference gradually disappears over about 10 years after stopping.
• Liver tumours (benign or malignant) have been reported; they can cause internal bleeding—seek urgent care for severe abdominal pain.
• The main risk factor for cervical cancer is persistent HPV infection. Some studies have suggested that long-term Pill use may contribute to risk, but findings are affected by other factors (e.g., screening and sexual behaviour).

General reliability notes and STI protection

• Certain situations lower contraceptive reliability (see Interactions, Vomiting/diarrhoea, Missed tablets). Use additional non-hormonal protection (e.g., condoms) when advised.
• Do not rely on rhythm or temperature methods while on YASMIN; the Pill changes normal cycle patterns.
• The Pill does not protect against HIV (AIDS) or other sexually transmitted infections; use condoms for infection protection.

Driving and using machinery

• No effects have been observed that would impair ability to drive or use machines.

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Pregnancy, planning pregnancy, and breastfeeding

• Do not use if you are pregnant or think you might be. If you suspect pregnancy while using YASMIN, consult your doctor as soon as possible.
• Breastfeeding: YASMIN is not recommended during breastfeeding—seek your doctor’s advice.
• Planning pregnancy: You can stop YASMIN at any time. If you plan to conceive, it is generally recommended to wait for a natural period before trying, as this helps estimate the due date.

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Interactions

Some medicines reduce YASMIN’s effectiveness at preventing pregnancy. Others may alter how YASMIN or the other medicine works.

Medicines that can make YASMIN less effective (examples from the source):

• Epilepsy treatments: primidone, phenytoin, barbiturates, carbamazepine, oxcarbazepine, topiramate, felbamate.
• Tuberculosis treatments: rifampicin, rifabutin.
• HIV medicines: ritonavir, nevirapine.
• Antibiotics for other infections: penicillins, tetracyclines, griseofulvin.
• Herbal remedy: St John’s Wort.

Medicines that may increase YASMIN levels (metabolism inhibitors): e.g., ketoconazole, erythromycin, cyclosporin.

YASMIN may affect other medicines: e.g., cyclosporin-containing medicines, lamotrigine (an anti-epileptic).

Potassium caution: There is a theoretical risk of raised serum potassium with YASMIN if you use other medicines that increase potassium (e.g., certain blood-pressure medicines such as angiotensin-II receptor antagonists, some diuretics that raise potassium, aldosterone antagonists). In studies with drospirenone (combined with oestradiol) and an ACE inhibitor or indomethacin, no significant potassium increase was observed.

Important: Always tell your doctor/dentist and pharmacist that you are using YASMIN. They will advise if extra contraceptive precautions are needed and for how long.

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How to take (Step-by-step)

When and how to take YASMIN

• The pack contains 28 tablets: 21 light yellow active + 7 white inactive.
• Start on Day 1 of your menstrual period (Day 1 = first day of bleeding). Select the tablet that matches that weekday from the silver section (e.g., “MO” for Monday).
• Swallow whole with liquid at about the same time every day.
• Take one tablet daily for 28 days, following the arrows on the pack.
• Withdrawal bleeding usually starts on Day 2–3 after starting the inactive tablets and may end after you start your next pack.
• Start the next pack the day after the last tablet of the current pack (again from the silver section).
• If you start YASMIN later in the week than Day 1, your first cycle may be slightly shortened.

Starting your first pack

• If no hormonal contraceptive in the past month: Start on Day 1 of your period. During the first 7 days, use an additional barrier method.
• Switching from another combined pill, vaginal ring, or transdermal patch: Start YASMIN preferably the day after the last active tablet of the previous combined pill (or on the day of removal of ring/patch), at the latest the day after the usual tablet-free or inactive interval / when the next ring/patch application would be due. No extra contraception is needed if you follow this.
• Switching from a progestogen-only method (minipill, injection, implant) or a progestogen-releasing IUS:
  • From minipill: switch any day;
  • From implant/IUS: switch on the day of removal;
  • From injection: switch when the next injection would be due.
    In all these cases, use a barrier method for the first 7 days of tablet-taking.

After childbirth, miscarriage, or abortion

• Breastfeeding and postpartum: Speak to your doctor before starting YASMIN.
• After miscarriage or abortion: Your doctor will advise you.

Overdose

• No clinical experience of serious harm reported. Symptoms may include nausea, vomiting, or vaginal bleeding.
• If a child takes YASMIN, seek medical advice.
• Accidentally taking white inactive tablets is harmless (no active ingredients).

Missed tablets (active light yellow tablets)

• Less than 12 hours late: Take the tablet as soon as you remember, then continue at the usual time. Contraceptive protection is maintained.
• More than 12 hours late: Protection may be reduced—the risk is highest if tablets are missed in the week before or after the inactive tablets. Follow the week-specific rules below.

Week-specific guidance (active tablets):

• Week 1 (Days 1–7):
  • Take the missed tablet as soon as you remember (even if that means two tablets at once).
  • Continue the rest of the pack as usual.
  • Use an extra barrier method for 7 days.
  • If you had sex in the 7 days before the missed tablet, tell your doctor (possible pregnancy risk).
• Week 2 (Days 8–14):
  • Take the missed tablet as soon as you remember (even if two at once).
  • If you took all tablets correctly in the 7 days before the missed tablet, no extra contraception is needed; otherwise use a barrier for 7 days.
• Week 3 (Days 15–21):
  Choose one of the following without extra contraception:
  1. Take the missed tablet immediately (even with the next one), finish all active tablets, discard the 7 inactive white tablets, and start the next pack right away (from the silver section). You may not bleed until the end of the second pack, and may notice spotting/breakthrough bleeding on active-tablet days.
     OR
  2. Stop the current pack now, have a tablet-free break of up to 7 days (count the missed-tablet day), then start a new pack (from the silver section).

If you missed more than one active tablet in the pack: Ask your doctor for advice.

If you miss white inactive tablets: These are inactive—just discard any missed inactive tablets to avoid prolonging the inactive phase.

Gastro-intestinal upset

• Vomiting within 3–4 hours of taking an active tablet, or severe diarrhoea, can mean the dose was not fully absorbed.
  • Treat this like a missed tablet and follow the relevant rules.
  • If you have severe diarrhoea, contact your doctor.
  • Vomiting or diarrhoea during inactive tablet days does not affect reliability.

Delaying a period

• To delay a period, start the next pack immediately after finishing the active light yellow tablets of the current pack (skip the 7 white inactive tablets).
• You may continue as long as you wish (e.g., to the end of the next pack). Spotting or breakthrough bleeding may occur while using the second pack.

Unexpected bleeding and missed periods

• Irregular bleeding/spotting can occur in the first few months; keep taking tablets as normal. If bleeding persists, becomes heavy, or starts again later, inform your doctor.
• If you miss a period, consult your doctor before starting the next pack.

Stopping YASMIN

• You may stop at any time. If you don’t want to become pregnant, ask about other methods. If you do want to conceive, see the note under Planning pregnancy above.

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Dosing table (regimen and missed-tablet quick guide)

Standard regimen

Group	Dose	Frequency	Cycle pattern	Notes
Adults and adolescents who have started menstruation	1 active (light yellow) tablet	Daily, same time if possible	21 active tablets, then 7 inactive (white) tablets	Start Day 1 of period. Begin each new pack the day after finishing the previous one.

Maximum daily dose (from source): one tablet daily as directed.

Missed active tablet: week-based actions

When missed (pack week)	What to do immediately	Extra contraception	Other key points
Week 1 (Days 1–7)	Take the missed tablet ASAP (even with the next one); continue pack	Yes—7 days	If sex occurred in the 7 days before the missed tablet, contact your doctor (pregnancy risk).
Week 2 (Days 8–14)	Take the missed tablet ASAP (even with the next one)	Not needed if all tablets were correct in the previous 7 days; otherwise 7 days	Continue pack as usual.
Week 3 (Days 15–21)	Choose Option 1: take missed tablet ASAP, finish active tablets, discard inactive, start new pack immediately; OR Option 2: stop now, have ≤7-day tablet-free break (include missed day), start new pack	Not required	Spotting/breakthrough bleeding may occur; period may be delayed until end of the next pack.

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Possible side effects

Tell your doctor about any unwanted effect, especially if severe, persistent, or if your health changes.

Serious—seek urgent help and stop tablets

Serious reactions are discussed under Blood clots and Cancer above. Symptoms needing immediate medical attention include:

• Unusual cough, chest pain (may spread to left arm), shortness of breath.
• Severe/prolonged headache or migraine, vision changes (loss or double vision).
• Slurred speech, sudden changes in hearing, smell, or taste; dizziness/fainting.
• Weakness/numbness of a limb or body part.
• Severe abdominal pain.
• Severe pain or swelling in a leg.

Common (frequent)

• Mood changes or depressed mood; reduced or loss of libido.
• Migraine, headache.
• Nausea, abdominal pain.
• Breast pain.
• Bleeding between periods/unscheduled uterine bleeding.
• Weight gain.

Less common

• Blood clots in deep veins or lungs; heart attack due to clots; stroke due to a blocked brain vessel.
• Vomiting, diarrhoea, fluid retention.
• Breast enlargement.
• Rash, hives (urticaria), contact lens intolerance, allergic reactions (hypersensitivity).
• Weight loss; increased libido.
• Vaginal discharge, breast discharge.
• Erythema nodosum or erythema multiforme (skin conditions).

Hereditary angioedema: estrogens may trigger or worsen symptoms—seek care for swelling of the face/tongue/throat, difficulty swallowing, hives with breathing difficulty.

What to do: If you notice troubling effects, or anything that worsens your general health, speak to your doctor promptly.

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Storage and disposal

• Keep in the original carton until use.
• Store at or below 30 °C.
• Keep out of the reach and sight of children.
• Do not use after the expiry date on the carton.
• Return unused medicine to your pharmacist.
• Do not dispose of unused tablets in drains or toilets.

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What the medicine contains

• Active substances (per active tablet): Ethinylestradiol 0,03 mg and drospirenone 3 mg.
• Other ingredients: Ferric oxide pigment yellow (E172), hypromellose, lactose monohydrate, macrogol 6000, magnesium stearate, maize starch, povidone K25, pregelatinised starch, talc, titanium dioxide (E171).

Note: Contains lactose.

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Pack information and appearance

• Presentation: Cartons with 1 or 3 transparent PVC/aluminium blister strips. Each strip has 28 tablets (21 light yellow active + 7 white inactive).
• Identification:
  • Active light yellow tablets: round, film-coated, convex; embossed with “DO” in a regular hexagon.
  • Inactive white tablets: round, film-coated, convex; embossed with “DP” in a regular hexagon.

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Practical FAQs (based ONLY on the source)

Does YASMIN protect against HIV or other STIs?
No. Oral contraceptives do not protect against HIV/AIDS or other sexually transmitted diseases. Use condoms to reduce infection risk.

I forgot a tablet—what should I do?
If <12 hours late with an active tablet, take it as soon as you remember and continue as usual. If >12 hours late, follow the week-based rules in the table above; you may need barrier protection for 7 days. If unsure or if you missed more than one active tablet, ask your doctor.

What if I vomit or have severe diarrhoea after taking an active tablet?
If you vomit within 3–4 hours of an active tablet, treat it like a missed tablet. With severe diarrhoea, contact your doctor. Vomiting/diarrhoea during inactive days does not affect reliability.

Can I delay my period while on YASMIN?
Yes. Skip the 7 white inactive tablets and start the next pack immediately after finishing the 21 active tablets. You may have spotting or breakthrough bleeding.

I’m breastfeeding—can I use YASMIN?
YASMIN is not recommended during breastfeeding. Speak to your doctor about options.

I smoke. Can I use YASMIN?
Smoking increases the risk of serious side effects like blood clots, heart attack, and stroke, especially if over 35. Do not smoke while using the Pill.

I’m due for surgery or will be on bed rest—what should I do?
Tell your doctor well in advance. You may need to stop YASMIN several weeks before surgery or immobilisation and restart only once fully mobile, as advised.

Can other medicines affect YASMIN?
Yes. Some antiepileptics, TB and HIV medicines, certain antibiotics, and St John’s Wort can make YASMIN less effective. Other medicines (e.g., ketoconazole, erythromycin, cyclosporin) can change levels. YASMIN can also affect cyclosporin and lamotrigine. Always tell your doctor/pharmacist about all medicines and ask if extra contraception is needed.

What if my period does not come?
If you miss a period, consult your doctor before starting a new pack.

Will YASMIN affect my driving?
No effects have been observed that would impair driving or using machines.