Description
Yasmin is a combined oral contraceptive containing drospirenone 3mg and ethinylestradiol 30 micrograms. It is licensed to prevent pregnancy. It works mainly by stopping the ovaries releasing an egg, and it also thickens cervical mucus. One tablet is taken at about the same time each day for 21 days, then no tablets for seven days, during which a withdrawal bleed usually happens.
Drospirenone can raise blood potassium, so tell your prescriber if you have kidney or adrenal disease, or if you take an ACE inhibitor, an angiotensin receptor blocker, a potassium sparing diuretic or long term anti-inflammatory painkillers. Combined pills increase the risk of blood clots in the veins and arteries; that risk is greatest in the first year of use and after restarting following a break of a month or more.
Yasmin is not suitable with migraine with aura or a history of clot. It does not protect against sexually transmitted infections.
- Combined oral contraceptive: drospirenone 3mg, ethinylestradiol 30mcg
- One tablet daily for 21 days, then a seven day break
- Drospirenone can raise blood potassium; check other medicines
- Clot risk is highest in the first year and after restarting
- Not suitable with migraine with aura or a history of blood clots
- Does not protect against sexually transmitted infections
