Yasmin Dosage
The manufacturer of Yasmin (drospirenone and ethinyl estradiol) recommends only one standard dosage. As with any other drug, do not change your dose unless specifically instructed by your healthcare provider.
Standard Dosage Schedule and General Instructions
A Yasmin tablet should be taken every day around the same time. The effectiveness of this drug may reduce if taken incorrectly or when doses are missed. To ensure the effectiveness of this drug, it should be taken exactly as instructed by your healthcare provider or as directed on the blister pack.
Yasmin comes as a 28-day pack, and also as 21-day pack. If using the 21-day pack, one tablet should be taken daily for 21 days. Wait for 7 days (no tablet is taken during these days) before starting a new pack.
The 28-day pack, which contains 21 yellow tablets and 7 inert white tablets, is more commonly used. If using the 28-day pack, take one tablet every day for 21 days. For the next 7 days, take one ‘reminder’ tablet daily, and then immediately start a new pack.
Ask your healthcare provider about the ideal time of starting the pill. The first day of menstrual bleeding marks ‘Day 1’. Usually, your healthcare provider will recommend starting the pills on the first Sunday after menstrual bleeding starts or during the first day of your period. Some doctors recommend starting pills ‘Day 5’ of menstrual period. Take your daily dose around the same time of the day, either with a meal or at bedtime.
For the first 7 days of treatment, it is recommended to use a different birth control method (such as condoms or spermicidal gel or foam) along with Yasmin to avoid unwanted pregnancy.
Some women report spotting or light bleeding or stomach upset during the first three months of taking combined oral contraceptives. If you experience these symptoms, do not discontinue the pill. Usually, these side effects go away. If breakthrough bleeding and stomach upset continues, consult your healthcare provider.
If you use certain drugs (such as antibiotics) or experience diarrhea or vomiting, your pills may not be as effective. Consult your healthcare provider before starting any new medication as they may reduce the effectiveness of the pills. Use an alternative birth control method or contact your healthcare provider if are having diarrhea or vomiting, or are using certain drugs.
There are a lot of factors (such as underlying medical conditions, body weight or use of certain medications) that can affect the dose of birth control pill a person needs. If your doctor recommends a different dosing schedule, do not adjust the dose prescribed for you without talking with your healthcare provider.
What To Do If You Miss a Dose?
As with any birth control pill, Yasmin should be taken exactly as prescribed by your healthcare provider. It should be taken every day, even if you do not expect to have sexual intercourse. Missing your doses may increase your chances of becoming pregnant. It is important that you know what to in case you forgot a dose.
If you missed one yellow pill, take the missed dose as soon as you remember it and then proceed with your regular schedule. It is possible for you to take two pills at once. You remain adequately protected against pregnancy, therefore no need for a backup birth control method.
If you missed two yellow pills in a row during the first 2 weeks of the cycle, you should take 2 pills on the day you remember and then two pills on the following day. After this, you can get back to your regular schedule. Use a backup birth control method if you engage in sexual intercourse within seven days of restarting the pills.
If you skipped 2 yellow pills consecutively during the third week of the cycle or 3 or more yellow pills consecutively at any week of the cycle, your instructions will vary, depending on when you start the pills. If you started the pill on ‘Day 1’ of your period, you should discard the remaining tablets in the pack and start a new cycle as soon as you remember. If you started the pill on a Sunday after your period, continue taking one pill daily until Sunday. On Sunday, discard the remaining tablets in the pack and start a new cycle. Take the pill everyday as in your regular schedule. In both of these circumstances, be sure to use a different birth control method for a week. You may not have period for that month.
If you missed any of the white pills, discard unused pills and continue with regular schedule. These pills are just ‘reminder’ pills that help you keep track of your cycle.
