Directions

drospirenone-ethinyl estradiol

Medically Reviewed by Dr. Harshi Dhingra, M.D.

Last Reviewed: Mar 16, 2023

Directions

How To Use Drospirenone and Ethinyl Estradiol (YASMIN)

Drospirenone ethinyl estradiol comes in the form of a pill pack containing 28 tablets. This includes 21 active yellow tablets and 7 inert white tablets. Take one tablet by mouth every day at the same time to maintain serum concentrations and achieve maximum contraceptive effectiveness. You should take the tablets in the order shown on the packaging. Start a new pack as soon as you finish a pack, with no gap days in between.

Read the prescription label carefully and take drospirenone and ethinyl estradiol exactly as directed by your doctor. Do not take a higher or lower dose of this medicine or take it more or less frequently than prescribed.

Your doctor will tell you when to start birth control during your menstrual cycle. Drospirenone and ethinyl estradiol are usually started on the first day of your period. Tell your doctor if you are changing over from some other type of birth control, such as an intrauterine device (IUD), transdermal patch, vaginal ring, injection, implant, or other birth control pills.

Different brands of oral contraceptives contain different medications and doses of medications. They may have to be taken differently and they may have different benefits and risks. Do not substitute one brand of birth control pill for another without talking to your doctor first.

It is normal to have some spotting (breakthrough bleeding between periods), especially when you first start birth control pills. You will experience withdrawal bleeding that is similar to a menstrual period when you are taking the inactive tablets of drospirenone and ethinyl estradiol. Start a new treatment cycle on schedule even if you are still bleeding.

Contraceptive efficacy clinical trials have shown that you need to use a backup method of contraception if you have vomiting or diarrhea while on birth control pills. Talk to your doctor about this before starting combination oral contraceptives. Your doctor will tell you how long you should use a backup method in case you have vomiting or diarrhea.

Birth control pills only work as long as you take them. Continue taking your pills if you are bleeding, have an upset stomach, or do not think you can become pregnant. Do not miss pills as this can significantly decrease plasma concentrations of the medications and increase your risk of becoming pregnant.

Missed dose: If you are more than 3 hours late in taking your birth control pill, or if you vomit after taking the pill, you will need to use a backup method of contraception for some time because you may not be protected against pregnancy. Read the manufacturer’s information leaflet for specific instructions on what to do if you miss 1-2 doses of your birth control pill. Talk to your doctor about an appropriate backup method before starting hormonal contraceptives.

Storage: Store drospirenone ethinyl estradiol at room temperature (between 15-30° C or 59-86° F) away from moisture, heat, and direct light in a tightly closed container. Do not store medications in the bathroom where they can be exposed to moisture and heat. Keep all medications safely out of reach of children and pets.

Unused medicine: Unused or expired drospirenone and ethinyl estradiol should be disposed of in a way that children, other people, and pets cannot get to them. Do not throw drospirenone and ethinyl estradiol in the trash or flush it down the toilet. The best way to dispose of expired or unneeded drospirenone and ethinyl estradiol is through your local waste disposal company or a drug take-back program. Learn more about proper medication disposal.

NOTE: This medication guide is a summary and may not contain all possible drug information on drospirenone and ethinyl estradiol. The information contained here may not be up-to-date. This sheet is for information purposes only. If you have questions about drospirenone and ethinyl estradiol, talk to your healthcare professionals for medical advice.