Yasmin (drospirenone/Ethinyl estradiol) is a prescription birth control medication. Yasmin works to prevent pregnancy by preventing ovulation as well as altering your uterine lining and cervical mucus which makes it more difficult for sperm to reach the uterus and for a fertilized egg to attach to the uterus. Yasmin comes in packets of 21 and 28. Both Yasmin 21 and 28 contain 21 active medication pills. Yasmin 28 also contains 7 reminder pills.

Always read the medication information and instructions before using this medication.
Always follow your doctor’s directions.

• Yasmin comes as Yasmin 21 or Yasmin 28. Both Yasmin 21 and Yasmin 28 contain 21 active pills. Yasmin 28 also contains 7 reminder pills. If you take Yasmin 21, simply miss 7 days after taking your last pill before restarting.
• Speak to your doctor about the best time to start taking Yasmin. It is typically started either on the first day of your menstrual period or on the first Sunday after the start of your menstrual period.
• Yasmin should be taken once daily at the same time every day, 24 hours apart.
• Taking Yasmin after your evening meal or at bedtime may help to decrease nausea and stomach upset.
• Yasmin can be taken with or without food.
• Take Yasmin tablets in the correct order starting with the first pill in the package.
• If you are taking Yasmin 21, after taking all 21 pills from a packet wait seven days before starting your next packet regardless of whether or not you have your period.
• If you are taking Yasmin 28, take the first 21 pills from your packet. Your next seven pills will be reminder pills that do not contain active medication. Once you have taken all of your reminder pills, start a new packet on the next day regardless of whether or not you have your period.
• Speak to your doctor if you do not get your period.
• Use another form of birth control during the first week of using Yasmin.

Make sure to tell your doctor:

• If you have any drug or other allergies.
• If you take any other prescription or over-the-counter medications.
• Your medical history especially of heart problems, heart disease, heart attack, coronary artery disease, circulation problems, adrenal gland disorder, kidney disease, high blood pressure, undiagnosed vaginal bleeding, liver disease, cancer, severe migraine headaches, stroke, blood clots, jaundice, high levels of potassium in your blood, triglycerides, an underactive thyroid, diabetes, migraines, gallbladder disease or depression.
• If you are overweight.
• If you will be having major surgery while taking Yasmin.
• If you are over 35 and smoke.

Other information you should also know:

• Taking Yasmin can increase your risk of heart attack, blood clots or stroke. Smoking while taking Yasmin can greatly increase this risk.
• You are more likely to become pregnant if you start a pack late, miss pills or take your pills at a different time in the day.
• Yasmin should not be taken if you are pregnant or if you have recently given birth.
• Do not use this medication if you are breast-feeding. Taking Yasmin while breast-feeding may harm a nursing infant.

Common side effects of Yasmin:

• Changes to your menstrual periods.
• Decreased sex drive.
• Breast tenderness.
• Vomiting or nausea.
• Mood changes or feeling tired or irritable.
• Headaches.
• Weight gain.

If you have any of the following Yasmin side effects, seek medical help:

• Signs of a heart attack such as nausea, sweating, chest pain or pressure or a pain spreading to your jaw or shoulder.
• Blood clot symptoms such as sudden vision loss, stabbing chest pain, shortness of breath, coughing up blood or pain, warmth and swelling in one or both legs.
• Stroke symptoms such as sudden severe headache, slurred speech, problems with vision or balance or sudden numbness or weakness especially on one side of the body.
• Depression symptoms including mood changes, tiredness, weakness or sleep problems.
• Changes to the severity or pattern of migraines.
• Swelling in your hands, ankles or feet.
• Signs of increased blood pressure including blurred vision, severe headache or pounding in your neck or ears.
• Symptoms of liver problems such as dark urine, tiredness, loss of appetite, upper stomach pain, clay-coloured stools or jaundice.
• Symptoms of an allergic reaction including difficulty breathing, hives or swelling in your face, lips or throat.

What is the difference between Yasmin 21 and Yasmin 28?

Yasmin 21 and Yasmin 21 both contain 21 active medication pills. Yasmin 28 also contains 7 reminder pills to take every day between medication cycles. When taking Yasmin 21, wait 7 days between cycles without taking any pills.

What is the strength of Yasmin?

Both Yasmin 21 and Yasmin 28 come in strength of 3+0.03mg.