Drospirenone and Ethinyl Estradiol (YASMIN) Tips from Pharmacists

• You can take your drospirenone and ethinyl estradiol with or without food. But you should take it at the same time every day to maintain clinically relevant concentrations. A daily alarm in your phone can help you remember to take the birth control pill at the same time every day.

• Do not take a break between packs. Start a new pack of drospirenone and ethinyl estradiol the next day after finishing a pack.

• If you miss one or more doses of your birth control pills and do not get your period, you may be pregnant. Stop taking the pill and use a backup method of contraception until you have a pregnancy test.

• If you vomit or have diarrhea, it is considered a missed dose. You will need to use another method of birth control for as long as indicated on the package.

• You might experience light breakthrough bleeding or spotting between periods after the first treatment cycle. Tell your doctor if this continues.

• Taking drospirenone and ethinyl estradiol will not protect you against sexually transmitted diseases such as HIV, gonorrhea, chlamydia, herpes, or genital warts. Use other precautions such as condoms to lower your risk of STDs.