This medication description is not meant for treatment prescription without the intervention of a specialist.

Common Uses

Yasmin is a progesterone and estrogen combination birth control pill. It works by preventing ovulation, thickening the mucus in the cervix, and changing the lining of the uterus. It is used for preventing pregnancy. It is also used to treat premenstrual dysphoric disorder or certain types of acne in women who are using Yasmin for birth control. It may also be used for other conditions as determined by your doctor.

How to Take

Use Yasmin as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.

An extra patient leaflet is available with Yasmin. Talk to your pharmacist if you have questions about this information.

Take Yasmin by mouth with or without food.

Talk with your doctor about how you should start to take your first pack of Yasmin. If you begin to take Yasmin during the first 24 hours of your period, you do not need to use an extra form of birth control. If you begin to take Yasmin on the Sunday after your period starts, you will need to use an extra form of birth control for 7 days after you start taking Yasmin.

If you are switching from another birth control pill to Yasmin, start Yasmin on the same day that would have started a new pack of your previous birth control pills. Talk with your doctor if you have any questions about how to switch from another form of hormonal birth control to Yasmin.

Take Yasmin at the same time every day, not more than 2 hours apart. After taking the last pill in the pack, start taking the first pill from a new pack the very next day.

For Yasmin to be effective, it must be taken every day. Do not skip doses even if you do not have sex very often. Do not skip pills if you are spotting, bleeding, or nauseated. If you have these side effects and they do not go away, check with your doctor.

Warning and Precautions

Some medical conditions may interact with Yasmin . Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:

if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding;

if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement;

if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances;

if you have a history of endometriosis, growths in the uterus, abnormal mammogram, irregular menstrual periods, abnormal vaginal bleeding, a lump in the breast, or fibrocystic breast disease, or if a family member has had breast cancer;

if you have a history of diabetes or high blood sugar, gallbladder problems, migraines or severe or persistent headaches, heart problems, high blood pressure, high blood cholesterol or lipid levels, kidney or liver problems, blood or bleeding problems, mental or mood problems (eg, depression), lupus, high blood calcium or potassium levels, chorea (jerky, involuntary movements of the face, arms, or legs), varicose veins, yellowing of the eyes or skin, pancreas problems, or seizures;

if you smoke, are very overweight, have not yet had your first menstrual period, or have fluid retention or swelling problems;

if you will be having surgery or will be confined to a bed or a chair for a long period of time.

Missed Dose

Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label if you miss a dose of this medicine.

If you miss 1 tablet during the cycle - Take it as soon as you remember and then take the next tablet at the normal time. You may take 2 tablets in one day. Then continue your regular dosing schedule.

If you miss 2 tablets in a row in the first or second week - Take 2 tablets on the day you remember and 2 tablets the next day. Then continue taking 1 tablet a day and use another form of birth control for seven days after the last missed dose.

If you miss 2 tablets in a row in the third week or if you miss 3 or more tablets in a row (during the first three weeks) - Using Day 1 start: Throw out your current cycle and begin a new cycle on the same day. Also, use another birth control method for the next seven days after the last missed dose. You may not have a menstrual period this month. But if you miss two menstrual periods in a row, call your health care professional.

Using Sunday start: Keep taking 1 tablet a day from your current pack until Sunday. Then, on Sunday, throw out your old pack and begin a new pack. Also use another birth control method for the next seven days after the last missed dose. You may not have a menstrual period this month. But if you miss two menstrual periods in a row, call your health care professional.

If you miss any of the last 7 (inactive) tablets, there is no danger of pregnancy. However, the first tablet (active) of the next month's cycle must be taken on the regularly scheduled day, in spite of any missed doses, if pregnancy is to be avoided. The active and inactive tablets are colored differently for your convenience.

Overdose

Contact your local poison control center, or emergency room immediately. Symptoms may include severe nausea; unexplained vaginal bleeding.

Storage

Store Yasmin at 77 degrees F (25 degrees C). Brief storage at temperatures between 59 and 86 degrees F (15 and 30 degrees C) is permitted. Store away from heat, moisture, and light. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep Yasmin out of the reach of children and away from pets.

Possible Side Effects

The common side effects are: breast tenderness; bleeding or spotting between menstrual periods; nausea; stomach cramps or bloating; vomiting; weight gain.

More Information

The information given above is a summary. Your pharmacist can provide more information about Yasmin. Do not share this medicine with others for whom it was not prescribed. Do not use this medicine for other health conditions. If using this medicine for an extended period of time, obtain refills before your supply runs out.