How to Take Medicine

This medicine should be taken orally with food to prevent potential nausea. You should ensure you take the medicine at the same time, and never take more than specified.

Keep an additional month of Yasmin at all times to ensure you do not miss the first day of your next dose.

If you have taken an overdose (or suspect you have) then immediately contact your local emergency room. Never share this medicine with anybody else, because this has been specified directly to you.

Missing a Dose

If you miss just one pill then you run the risk of falling pregnant. If you have missed the pill, there are various options to ensure you 'catch up' but do not guess them, speak to your doctor who will give you more information.

If you miss the pill and do not want to fall pregnant then make sure you use another form of contraception for at least seven days.

If I Want To Take This Tablet What Should I Tell My Doctor?

Before you take this medication your doctor will need to know your past/current medical conditions. Yasmin can interact poorly with medications; therefore, it is best that you let your doctor know about everyone.

Drug Interactions

Always tell your doctor all of your medications you are currently taking, in addition to this list you should always tell your doctor if you use any of the following:

• Ascorbic acid (vitamin C) pills.
  
  
• How much caffeine you consume.
  
  
• If you drink grapefruit juice.
  
  
• If you use St. John's Wort
  
  
• If you take thyroid hormones

Yasmin is different to other birth control pills because it contains Drospirenone, which can increase potassium levels.

These drugs below/alongside Yasmin can cause your potassium levels to increase significantly:

• NSAID's
  
  
• Salt substitutes
  
  
• Medication for high blood pressure
  
  
• Any potassium supplements
  
  
• Water supplements

Precautions

You should visit your doctor once every 3-4 weeks to check on the progress of your medication.

For the first month, it is best to use additional contraception. If you think you may have fallen pregnant then stop taking the medication and talk to your GP.

Smoking while on this medication can cause blood clots or strokes, especially if you are over the age of 35.

You may find that you swell up in different areas, because this medication can cause you to retain water, if this happens, contact your doctor.

You may also find that your sensitivity to the sun increases, or your vision becomes blurred, especially if you wear glasses or contact lenses.

If you require surgery whilst on this medication then inform your doctor who will tell you if you need to come off the medication.

Side Effects

As with all medications, there is a small chance that you may experience side effects. However, if you do not smoke, and are of a good health then the chance of side effects decrease:

• Allergies
  
  
• Breast discharge
  
  
• Pains
  
  
• Vision problems
  
  
• General feelings of confusion
  
  
• Colour of urine/stool changes
  
  
• Feeling ill
  
  
• Stomach pain
  
  
• Headaches
  
  
• Nausea/vomiting
  
  
• Shortness of breath
  
  
• Weakness or numbness
  
  
• Severe vaginal bleeding
  
  
• Yellowing of the skin or eyes.

You may also experience one of the following. However, these side effects are more common, therefore, you should contact your doctor is if they are causing you particular discomfort:

• Spots
  
  
• Appetite changes
  
  
• Increase/Decrease in sexual desire
  
  
• Mood swings
  
  
• Weight gain
  
  
• Cramps
  
  
• Fluid retention

*List may not include all possible side effects.

Storage

As with all medications, keep it out of the reach of children, while stored at room temperature. If you still have some tablets left over then please dispose of carefully or hand over to your doctor who will dispose them for you.