BUY YASMIN

Yasmin is contraceptive which is used for preventing pregnancy. It consists of 2 hormones (drospirenone, an estrogen, a progestin, and ethinyl estradiol). These hormones prevent pregnancy by preventing the release of an egg (ovulation). They also change the womb and cervical mucus, making it more difficult for an egg to meet sperm (fertilization) or for the fertilized egg to attach to the wall of the womb (implantation). Besides preventing pregnancy, birth control pills have been shown to help make your periods more regular, decrease blood loss and painful periods (dysmenorrhea), and decrease your risk of ovarian cysts. Use of this medication does not protect you or your partner against sexually transmitted diseases (e.g., gonorrhea, HIV, chlamydia).

HOW TO USE YASMIN:

If you have any questions, consult your doctor or pharmacist. Take yasmin by mouth once daily or as directed by your doctor. Pick a time of day that is easy for you to remember, and take your pill at the same time each day. It is very important to continue taking this medication exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Follow the package instructions to find the first tablet, start with the first tablet in the pack, and take them in the correct order. Do not skip any doses. Pregnancy is more likely if you miss pills, start a new pack late, or take your pill at a different time of the day than usual. Taking yasmin after your evening meal or at bedtime may help if you have stomach upset or nausea with the medication. You may choose to take this medication at another time of day that is easier for you to remember. No matter what dosing schedule you use, it is very important that you take this medication at the same time each day, 24 hours apart. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions. Your pill pack contains 21 pills (enough for 3 weeks) with active medication. It also contains 7 reminder pills that contain no medication. Take one active pill (with hormones) once daily for 21 days in a row. After you have taken the last active pill, take an inactive pill (without hormones) once daily for 7 days in a row unless otherwise directed by your doctor. You should have your period during the fourth week of the pack. After you have taken the last inactive tablet in the pack, start a new pack the next day whether or not you have your period. If you do not get your period, consult your doctor. If this is the first time you are using this medication and you are not switching from another form of hormonal birth control (e.g., patch, other birth control pills), take the first tablet in the pack on the first Sunday following the beginning of your menstrual period or on the first day of your period. If your period begins on a Sunday, begin taking yasmin on that day. For the first cycle of use only, use an additional form of non-hormonal birth control (e.g., condoms, spermicide) for the first 7 days to prevent pregnancy until the medication has enough time to work. If you start on the first day of your period, you do not need to use back-up birth control the first week. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for information about how to switch from other forms of hormonal birth control (e.g., patch, other birth control pills) to this product.

YASMIN SIDE EFFECTS:

Nausea, vomiting, dizziness, vaginal discomfort/irritation, headache, stomach cramping/bloating, increased vaginal fluids, or breast tenderness/enlargement may occur. Acne may improve or get worse. Vaginal bleeding between periods (spotting) or missed/irregular periods may occur, especially during the first few months of use. If any of these effects persist or worsen, notify your doctor promptly. If you miss 2 periods in a row (or 1 period if the pill has not been used properly), contact your doctor for a pregnancy test. Tell your doctor immediately if any of these serious yasmin side effects occur: changes in vaginal bleeding (e.g., sudden heavy bleeding, continuous spotting, missed periods), unwanted facial/body hair, swelling of the ankles/feet, problem wearing contact lenses, dark patches on the skin (melasma), weight changes (gain or loss). This medication may rarely cause serious (sometimes fatal) problems from blood clots (e.g., pulmonary embolism, stroke, heart attack). Seek immediate medical attention if you experience: sudden shortness of breath, coughing up blood, sudden dizziness/fainting, chest/jaw/left arm pain, confusion, pain/swelling/warmth in the groin/calf, weakness/tingling/numbness in the arms/legs, headaches that are different from those you may have experienced in the past (e.g., headaches with other symptoms such as existing migraines becoming worse, vision changes/lack of coordination, sudden/very severe headaches), slurred speech, weakness on one side of the body, vision problems/changes. Tell your doctor immediately if any of these rare but very serious side effects occur: lumps in the breast, unusual tiredness, dark urine, mental/mood changes (e.g., depression, suicidal thoughts, persistent trouble sleeping), severe stomach/abdominal/pelvic pain, yellowing eyes/skin. Symptoms of a serious allergic reaction include: itching, severe dizziness, rash, swelling, trouble breathing. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist. Don't forget that your doctor has prescribed this medication because the benefit to you is greater than the risk of the yasmin side effects. Many people using this medication do not have serious side effects.

YASMIN PRECAUTIONS:

Before using yasmin, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to drospirenone, ethinyl estradiol, or spironolactone; or to other estrogens or progestins; or if you have any other allergies. This medication should not be used if you have certain medical conditions. Before using this product, consult your doctor or pharmacist if you have: history of stroke or other blood clots (e.g., in the legs, eyes, lungs), cancer (especially endometrial or breast cancer), adrenal gland problems, severe high blood pressure, abnormal breast exam, diabetes that has caused kidney/eye/nerve/blood vessel disease, severe headaches, kidney problems, liver problems (e.g., liver tumor, active liver disease), current or suspected pregnancy, recent major surgery, history of heart disease (e.g., heart attack, chest pain), heart valve disease, long periods of sitting or lying down (e.g., immobility such as being bedridden), history of yellowing eyes/skin (jaundice) during pregnancy or while using birth control pills, unexplained vaginal bleeding, heavy tobacco use (especially if 35 or over). Before using this product, tell your doctor your medical history, especially of: diabetes, swelling (edema), gallbladder problems, irregular/missed/very light periods, high blood pressure, high cholesterol or triglyceride (blood fat) levels, depression, migraine, obesity, recent pregnancy, thyroid problems. Do not smoke cigarettes or use tobacco. Hormonal birth control (e.g., pills, injections, devices) combined with smoking significantly increases your risk for stroke, blood clots, high blood pressure, and heart attacks, especially in women older than 35. For more details, ask your doctor or pharmacist, or consult the Patient Information Leaflet that comes with this product. If you have diabetes, this medication may make it harder to control your blood sugar levels. Monitor your blood sugar regularly as directed by your doctor. Tell your doctor the results and any symptoms such as increased thirst/urination. Your anti-diabetic medication or diet may need to be adjusted. Notify your doctor beforehand if you will be having surgery or will be confined to a chair/bed for a long time (e.g., a long plane flight). You may need to stop the medication for a time or take special precautions. This medication may cause blotchy, dark areas on your skin (melasma). Sunlight may worsen this effect. Avoid prolonged sun exposure, sunlamps, and tanning booths. Use a sunscreen, and wear protective clothing when outdoors. If you are nearsighted or wear contact lenses, you may develop vision problems or trouble wearing your contact lenses. Contact your eye doctor if these problems occur. It may take longer for you to become pregnant after you stop taking birth control pills. Consult your doctor. Yasmin should not be used during pregnancy. If you become pregnant or think you may be pregnant, inform your doctor immediately. If you have just given birth and are not breast-feeding, or if you have had a pregnancy loss or abortion after the first trimester, wait at least 4 weeks before starting this medication. Talk with your doctor about other forms of birth control and to find out when it is safe to start using the pill. This medication passes into breast milk. This may affect milk production and may have harmful effects on a nursing infant. Breast-feeding is not recommended while using this product. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.

YASMIN INTERACTIONS:

Your healthcare professionals (e.g., doctor or pharmacist) may already be aware of any possible yasmin interactions and may be monitoring you for them. Do not start, stop or change the dosage of any medicine before checking with them first. This drug should not be used with the following medications because very serious yasmin interactions may occur: sodium tetradecyl sulfate, aromatase inhibitors (e.g., exemestane, anastrazole), troleandomycin. If you are currently using any of these medications listed above, tell your doctor or pharmacist before starting this medication. Before taking this medication, tell your doctor of all prescription and nonprescription medications you may use, especially of: medications that can raise potassium levels (e.g., ACE inhibitors such as enalapril/lisinopril, heparin, NSAIDs such as ibuprofen/naproxen, angiotensin receptor blockers such as losartan/valsartan, potassium-sparing "water pills"/diuretics such as spironolactone/triamterene), potassium supplement/salt substitutes, raloxifene, tamoxifen, medication for underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism), drugs that may increase blood levels of this drug (e.g., ascorbic acid/vitamin C, atorvastatin, acetaminophen, azole antifungals such as ketoconazole/itraconazole/vaginal miconazole). Certain drugs can decrease the effectiveness of combination-type birth control by decreasing the amount of birth control hormones in your system. This can result in pregnancy. These drugs include: dapsone, felbamate, griseofulvin, certain HIV protease inhibitors (e.g., nelfinavir, amprenavir, ritonavir), modafinil, nevirapine, phenylbutazone, many antibiotics (e.g., macrolides such as erythromycin, cephalosporins, chloramphenicol, penicillins, sulfas), aprepitant, bexarotene, bosentan, rifamycins (e.g., rifampin), many seizure medications (e.g., phenytoin, lamotrigine, barbiturates, carbamazepine, topiramate), St. John's wort. Consult your doctor or pharmacist for details, and ask if you should use additional reliable birth control methods while taking any of the drugs listed above. This drug can speed up or slow down the removal of other drugs from your body by affecting certain liver enzymes. These affected drugs include acetaminophen, aspirin, certain beta blockers (e.g., metoprolol), corticosteroids such as prednisolone, clofibrate, cyclosporine, morphine, certain benzodiazepines such as lorazepam/temazepam, and theophylline, among others. If you are currently using any of these medications listed above, tell your doctor or pharmacist before starting this medication. This medication can affect the results of certain lab tests (e.g., thyroid, blood tests for clotting factors). Make sure laboratory personnel and all your doctors know you use this medication.

NOTES:

Do not share yasmin with others. Keep all appointments with your doctor and the laboratory. Laboratory tests (e.g., potassium levels) may be performed to monitor for possible side effects to this medication. You should have regular complete physical exams including blood pressure, breast exam, pelvic exam, and screening for cervical cancer (pap smear). Follow your doctor's instructions for examining your own breasts, and report any lumps immediately. Consult your doctor for more details.